1001skins

[garetjax]

I've been thinking on giving up 1001skins; either selling or just letting it die...I've got to many other things going on and no time...Anyone interested?

[dro]

Yes, just timings are a bit of a pain at the moment to try & take it on. Is this something immediately you're looking for it to happen or can it tick over for a while (few months)? Up to you whether we continue this here or privately.

-dro

[garetjax]

It is hardly oppressive cost wise to continue to pay for the hosting.  I'm @ 80 a year; and the site just keeps running.

I've had people donate on occasion for the hosting; but, ya know kids, house, work and etc.  Could be at some point I cannot pay the $10/$20 ...though, it hasn't presented itself as a problem yet.)

At the end of the day...I'm not as interested in being the last one on the block.

[dro]

That makes sense especially the last comment (sadly or not I'm happy to possibly be that one). Will have a think about any questions, etc over the next few days.

-dro

[garetjax]

I don't want to give it up.  I'm I  such a place though, to forget my responsibility to it and by way of a lapse... Lose it.

It made revenue... Never alot.  It's been around long enough to mean something, it was one of the least oppressive websites.,  and we'll I had the interest for years....


I don't anymore.  I love my part in the story... But, I've no interest in continuing my part in it.  I'd like someone I trust to take it.... But, barring that I can sell it as well.... Knowing it would be turned into a bastardized advertisement.


Idk.... Ya ask anything

[dro]

Have sent a few questions via pm.

-dro

[garetjax]

I replied

[jpickerell]

Hope that you can keep the 1001skins site going, it's a great resource!

[garetjax]

I have kept the 1001skins.com site going for about a decade +/-;  I've received a single donation for which I am grateful; that being said...there have been no other revenue associations with the website with a few exceptions.  At one point I did have advertisements which reduced the visibility but, gave me monetary value for usage; at that time hundred or so a month*12 mo =1200 Yearly.  I removed the ads as it was requested that they caused problems and so, for the last few years I have paid out of my own pocket for hosting.

I've done so, as I was one of the original winamp skinners; and enjoyed skinning so much that I took over 1001skins from Maximillan Bloch (the original owner and author).  However, within the last year or two with Radionomy and subsequently winamp failing to produce anymore viable version I have no reason to continue to be involved as it just pisses me off.  I've moved on from skinning for Winamp; and in general gave it up as a result of the blatant disregard for users that seemingly comes from the new ownership of that IP. 

I wish to sell the website; I'd rather sell it to someone that will put it into trust for users of winamp.  I'd rather not put it up for auction; at some point in the near future barring any agreement I will.  I have over the years fielded offers for a good sum of money (though to less than reputable parties).

So, here I am on wacup positioning the first person I believe, would hold in trust 1001skins with the intent of keeping it focused on users and keeping the resources available because, they are dedicated to the remaining community such that it is.  I also, as a developer respect Dr0 a great deal and value his input, output as it were (heh).

Anyway, at some point I will only move towards a different route; if Dr0 and I cannot make an agreement;  Our aggreement will likely be in private but, if you believe this is a good use of his time, it is something you believe, would be wise for him to support...then by all means let him know.

Thank You,

Joe Garrett
aka: Garetjax
garetjax@1001skins.com

[victhor]

..if you believe this is a good use of his time, it is something you believe, would be wise for him to support...then by all means let him know.

The site deserves to be kept online and the job you've done is great, I'm sure a lot of invisible work lays below what people can see (it always does with code and web design heh).
That said, for the last years I feel the site never was what it could be, there was a lot of potential but most of it was never fulfilled. The upload system was never solid for me, and that alone is already a great disadvantage. But without going any further, everything that the site may lack, is completely understandable since it's obvious that more than one dev is needed. I'm afraid that the site is doomed if a team can't be put in place to support it (at least for the setup, then mantaining could be easier).

I'm a terrible handler of my time -another way to say I'm too slow for nowadays standards!- so I shouldn't even offer myself to help, but I would really like to be part of that team if it ever comes to be, to contribute even a little. The site has potential, but besides money, it needs an investment of time!

[garetjax]

i was close on many fronts; but, never had enough input, test time, or collaboration to devote as much time as the site needed.  The framework is solid; just not perfected; I've started and stopped likely thousands and thousands of times to introduce final production worthy code that would last the test of time; I believe, that a vast majority of where I was able to devote my attention to is complete in many senses; thought, I would be the first to say I never had enough time to really make it all connect.


I have 6 children, a full time development job, a full load of 'senior developer' activities and a 24/7 on call status to provide support across 7 companies with 30+/- websites, hundreds of web applications, server applications, console applications and hundreds of installed applications in my work queue. I know that this may seem like I am making excuses for my apparent lack of development effort on 1001 but, truly it is not.  I wanted so much more and have at times made many changes when I could. 

However, as all things go...life took my attention away on to different avenues; Now that I am raising up this next generation of developers (28 of them); I do not have the desire to spend countless more hours pouring over code (honest).  I feel burnt out and that does not lend itself to proper development and is likely the cause for some of the delays, enhancements and/or bug fixes.

As I stated I believe Dr0 not only has the presence of mind to make it viable; but, to keep it in trust and to definitely bring together people where I was a skinner that took it over; and while I may be a developer - I work with a team and not by myself; things seldom work without backing and support that goes beyond an individual taste, and desire.  I suppose, what I am really getting at is that I was probably not the best choice to make 1001 into what it could have been and i am most certainly not the person now.

Sad but, honest opinion.  I let you guys down and I know it...this bothers me and I wish I could change that. 

Anyways, thank you for the critique, and imparting your opinion.  It was and always is valuable.

-garetjax

[victhor]

6 children??? My God, I don't know how you do to even participate on these forums at all!!. And that's precisely my point, you can't make enough room for something like this, in fact you've done enough. Sorry if it wasn't clear what I meant, I know you did A LOT, among a lot of other things to do with your own things and with little to no return or feedback. I also think Darren is best choice to inherit the site, I just hope he can find someone else to rely on for all the heavy work that the site needs or at least a scheme of work where it doesn't end up like it did so far, requiring a big investment of effort and time he doesn't have or can't afford to.

[garetjax]

The site doesn't really need much; relatively speaking of course; a few areas need TLC
-Uploads is one; but, I wouldn't recommend worrying about uploads as much until a competent developer can be used to rely upon.  Uploads, are one of the most contentious areas as too many bad actors try to use it as an avenue of attack against the site; hence why there have been updates there and then subsequently nearly impossible to upload with (this was by design as a conscious choice to prevent misuses).

At present, the site works well as an archive of around 4200 Skins (+/- not sure on the exact number) attributed to the authors that designed them.  There were many ideas for the continual development and some have many, many of those efforts.  Though, again in some ways it is also a problem, as I have over the last 10 years attempted to bring to life what once was dead built on php2 code, that was effective but, had many security implications and issues that couldn't in good faith be brought back as it was.

After 10 years I got pretty far just never where I felt competent enough to finalize it; and with many variations of development across each of the pages.

Anyways, I wasn't knocking your comment; I was and am responsible for the site and the state that it sits in.

-jax

[garetjax]

:bump: 

Hopefully, we get a plan of action soon...as I am moved into the new home ; and have no internet (at least for a duration - no idea of when I will).  If the site goes down -  which I hope it doesn't....let me know through email (joegarrett@outlook.com).

dr0 - let me know...when you are thinking you want to take over?

[victhor]

Well, congrats on the new home! Awesome place, I saw it on your stream on Fb, maybe I'll also do something like that soon (but mine is obviously much more humble). Good to hear DrO is taking over, hope he finds a new space in his head for it hah.