iTunes Skinner - 01-15-05

Hello everybody,

I apologize for not keeping all of you updated on iTunes Skin Creator. I stopped worked on it for awhile but have just recently began work on it again. With the release of iTunes 4.7 and the introduction of the iTunes Resource file, I am able to more quickly develop iTunes Skin Creator. The skinning procedure is still limited of course just as the original skinning method, but things I feel will be much more Universal when it comes to newer versions of iTunes.

Creating a new skin is simple with the iTunes Skin Creator which loads up the .QTR resource file and allows you to edit any image in there. Distributing your skin is easy as well, zip up the .QTR file which brings it down to about 950KB and distribute it to someone. all they have to do is simply extract it to thier iTunes Resources folder. Very Simple

Want to edit a skin, load up the .QTR file and edit away

I have not yet released this and it is still in the works but I will release it very soon. Most of it is pretty much done, just ironing out the GUI and what not.

I am also deciding to sell this program. I am sorry to do this but unfortunately, no one donated with iTunes Sidekick after even after numerous downloads. I am not in this to make money but I would like a little appreciation shown, so for that, I am going to charge $1.00 for the iTunes Skin Creator. I don't think it is much to ask and I think a very good deal for something which to my knowledge can only be done with my program on the PC Platform.

I have spent countless hours researching all the neccessary information to accomplish this task and I think I deserve a little something in return.

Please post your comments on this whole idea and what you think of it.

- Runasoft

#246066

What exactly can your program do? Can it get rid of the lame "close", "maximize", and "minimize" buttons on iTunes 4.7.1 for Windows? I downloaded the "Multiplugin iTunes 4.7" by Localhost from www.osx-e.com and it changed those lame buttons, but, it got rid of the menu buttons, which are pretty useful I think. What will your program do? Keep the menus and change the buttons? Please let me know. Thanks.

#246078

What exactly can your program do? Can it get rid of the lame "close", "maximize", and "minimize" buttons on iTunes 4.7.1 for Windows? I downloaded the "Multiplugin iTunes 4.7" by Localhost from www.osx-e.com and it changed those lame buttons, but, it got rid of the menu buttons, which are pretty useful I think. What will your program do? Keep the menus and change the buttons? Please let me know. Thanks.

My program will allow anyone to change any element seen in iTunes. Anything from the Caption Buttons (Close, Minimize, Maximize) to the Scrollbars to the Resize Area to the Play, Pause, Next and Previous Buttons. Literally every element of iTunes can be customized.

The catch is that the image you are using must be smaller in size or equal to the original. You cannot use an image that is larger in filesize than the original. My program checks for this and will notify you if you attempt to use one that is larger.

- Runasoft

#246079

What exactly can your program do? Can it get rid of the lame "close", "maximize", and "minimize" buttons on iTunes 4.7.1 for Windows? I downloaded the "Multiplugin iTunes 4.7" by Localhost from www.osx-e.com and it changed those lame buttons, but, it got rid of the menu buttons, which are pretty useful I think. What will your program do? Keep the menus and change the buttons? Please let me know. Thanks.

Localhost's MultiPlugin has an option to let you keep the menu visible..

(uncheck "Don't offset the titlebar")

#246090

The difference between the plugin doing this and my program is that the images aren't just being overlayed or changed on the fly. The images are actually changed within the Resource file so that iTunes thinks they are the originals. So you do not have any change in performance whatsoever, iTunes runs exactly the same way it did before along with the exact same CPU usage etc.. just with a new look

- Runasoft

#246097

I completely understand why you're going to charge people downloading your program. But have you ever thought about making some basic skins and ship them with the program? Let say a complete ****ie who can't use photoshop or any other image editor program to create a skin by themselve, why should they be spending money to get your program. Just look at the way Arlo and Co doing with Konfabulator. You have to provide the need before charging people, your program must be something indispensable for them so they will be willing to pay for it, even more than $1

I'm sorry if my words make you angry

#246098

I completely understand why you're going to charge people downloading your program. But have you ever thought about making some basic skins and ship them with the program? Let say a complete ****ie who can't use photoshop or any other image editor program to create a skin by themselve, why should they be spending money to get your program. Just look at the way Arlo and Co doing with Konfabulator. You have to provide the need before charging people, your program must be something indispensable for them so they will be willing to pay for it, even more than $1

I'm sorry if my words make you angry

I will be providing a few skins with the iTunes Skin Creator program. I am going to grab a few of the most popular for the MacOS and convert them so that they are compatible with the iTunes PC version. It was never my intention to simply sell the product without any skins at all.

Your words did not make me angry at all. It is all about constructive criticism and I'm all up for it. I understand that some people will not agree with what I'm doing and some will and some will be in the middle such as yourself. I'm completely fine with that.

I hope everyone enjoys iTunes Skin Creator once it is complete.

- Runasoft

#246104

sounds good...i wish i had someway to pay you tho...as i dont have a credit card or paypal (no bank account).....maybe there could be someway to like send u a postal order or something?

#246117

Sounds good, I'd pay to get rid of iTunes PC nastiness any day of the week, and your prices sound very reasonable.

Basic skins included with the program will be most appreciated, as will a nice tutorial on how to create skins too.

Thank you for coming back to working on this application, I feel it is one of those items which will quickly become a must have for those who simply need all or as much of thier applications to sport the same theme and feel. More power to you.

~better get that paypal link ready fella.

#246123

I'm glad that this hasn't turned to flaming.

However, do you know how you're going to set up the paying method? Paypal is probably the best method...

$1 is certainly reasonable enough, especially for a program like this. However, maybe you could offer a one-day trial, or something?

Actually, I'm a bit confused. The skins will be free, but to create them, the program is $1?

Nice job, and glad to see this is getting rolling again,

Thanks,

-NC

#246175

$1? hell, i wipe my ass with $1 bills. i never used sidekick, but i'll give you a dollar. will you take a check?

j/k

i think a buck is more than reasonable. hell, it might as well be free, it's so cheap! you can't even buy a pack of gum for $1.

#246180

The whole "Selling" aspect of iTunes Skin Creator is still under development. I am thinking of creative ways to still allow "Non-Designers" to apply skins without charge while simply allowing those who want to create skins to purchase.

I am thinking of ways to allow all of this but as of yet have not hit anything rock solid. I think perhaps I will create another program, a Skin Manager of sorts to allow people to manage thier skins and apply them with ease. This will probably also cost a dollar but will come with some skins.

I do not want to offer a trial as they are very easy to crack and I know that once the program gets cracked, there will be no more sales. Because why pay for something when you can get it so easily for free...

Then again, what's to stop someone from purchasing the program and redistributing it ?

Anyways, I will accept Paypal and Money Order, no Personal Checks. The paypal method will be integrated into my website since I've created a CGI script that interacts directly with Paypal's server.

I'm still thinking about all this stuff so don't take anything I say about the "selling" aspect too seriously right now.

- Runasoft

#246183

il pay for it

#246184

I will certainly pay for this thing, just can't wait to give you this $1

#246197

Just a little update on the progress of the iTunes Skin Creator. The programminig aspect of the program is coming along very smoothly. Most of the functionality is pretty much complete except for a couple of things. I have decided how I will go about distributing the programs and skins.

There will be 2 different programs out. 1 program applies to Skin Designers and the other applies to Skin Users.

The designer will be named "iTunes Skin Creator"

The skin manager will be named "iTunes Skinner"

Now, the iTunes Skin Creator is of course is only needed by Skin Designers and those who want to create skins. This will be available for $4.99 (USD) payable through PayPal or Money Order, the product includes the Skin Manager as well as a set of skins.

Next, the Skin Manager will be sold for $1.00 paypable through Paypal or Money Order.

I will also have skin sets up for $1.00 as well. Each skin set will include the skin plus many other Color configurations for that particular type of skin.

If you purchase a Skin, you get the Skin Manager for free.

I think all the prices are completely reasonable and are beneficial to all users of either program.

- Runasoft

#246652

It Angers me when people ask you to pay for skins or skin creators.

I wouldnt use this anyways, but that's just nonsense.

Chris

#246667

It Angers me when people ask you to pay for skins or skin creators.

I wouldnt use this anyways, but that's just nonsense.

Chris

Everyone is entitled to thier opinion and I'm not going to sit here and down your for it. All input on this subject is welcome and I appreciate the time everyone is taking to post on this subject.

I must say tho that it's not like I'm sitting here asking for $100.00 for the program. I'm asking a VERY small amount. For those that simply want to use skins, it costs $1.00. Most people have this sitting in thier living room couch.

They are free to use any freely available skins that developers will make using iTunes Skin Creator, it's not like they are limited only to the skins available on my site.

In my defense, the program I'm creating and releasing is not just ANOTHER skinner or skin creator. This is something that is not currently out there and in most peoples minds impossible to do. I'm offering a way to skin iTunes and this is what is most appealing to people.

- Runasoft

#246675

i am very excited about this program, and i am more than willing to pay a mere $4.99 for the skin creator. one dollar for the skin manager is nothing to complain about, and is a hella lot better than having to bundle advertisements and such with your software. It's your product of hard work and time, and i think it makes perfect sense to offer it at a price.

i do have a question though, when someone other than yourself, creates a "skin" using your software, are they free to distubute it anywhere they please? and it will work for anyone who has also purchased the skin manager?

#246682

i am very excited about this program, and i am more than willing to pay a mere $4.99 for the skin creator. one dollar for the skin manager is nothing to complain about, and is a hella lot better than having to bundle advertisements and such with your software. It's your product of hard work and time, and i think it makes perfect sense to offer it at a price.

i do have a question though, when someone other than yourself, creates a "skin" using your software, are they free to distubute it anywhere they please? and it will work for anyone who has also purchased the skin manager?

When you purchase iTunes Skin Creator, you are able to distribute the skin freely anyway you'd like. As for the people wanting to install the skin, as long as they have the Skin Manager they can apply any skin they want as long it was created with iTunes Skin Creator.

- Runasoft

#246688

My biggest wish is to be abel to do this to Quick Time, u think that is possibel?

#246700

This doesn't seem bad...however, i'd like a few screenshots.

But, I dont believe in charging for the skin creator. The skinners are the people who will be creating your market. I see the logic in charging for the program though.

#246722

^^^ What he says ^^^

Ditto... You want to encourage the skinners to create. Making them pay extra doesn't quite seem fair given that they're helping to create the market for your products.

#246796

It Angers me when people ask you to pay for skins or skin creators.

I wouldnt use this anyways, but that's just nonsense.

Chris

Agreed. I hope i dont get band for this but it wont be to long before "mydag" (ROR) finds a way to package your entire suite as a zip and send it off flying thru massive p2p servers...No I'm not saying this should happen but it seems mydag shows lots of interests in skinning applications.

I do however wish the best for your application since it is verywel the only one of its kind out there...

#246804

I do not see how the Skinners will be creating my market. I am not going to be selling the skins they create nor make any money off them after they purchase the product. The only market is the want to make skins and the want to apply them. After that, there is no more market.

As for pirating my software, I know that it will only be a matter of time before the program is cracked and out there for free. I can't stop this from happening and I know this. I know people feel that I shouldn't be selling this and some people do etc.

But, there are a few people out there who do download free programs and then purchase them later even tho they obtained them illegaly. They like to test it out and see if it's worth what it's selling for.

Also, another note. Just because I put the program up for $4.99 does not mean it's worth just that. It's worth much much more due to the GUI the skinner is presented with and the features he/she has access to within the program.

- Runasoft

#246874

I do not see how the Skinners will be creating my market. I am not going to be selling the skins they create nor make any money off them after they purchase the product.

A side note, I know you're definitely spending a lot of time on this and you have every *right* to charge for the products of your work (of course others have the *right* to disagree with your decision to do so). I totally agree with your right to your decision.

Using other community applications as an example here, I'd argue that one of the reasons Avedesk surpasses gDesklets and DesktopX in popularity is simply that there are so many Aqua-related skins available for Avedesk. In comparison, DesktopX has many skins available but very few are well-done Aqua style while gDesklets is simply not as well known.

It seems to me that the future popularity of your app is going to rely upon the legions of Aqua-loyal skinners creating various theme-consistent skins for iTunes. (Assuming your program is capable of this, I'm sure some members would like to have a Jetblack style iTunes to match their system theme. Not judge of course....).

Also, Stardock (yes I realize they're a much larger group than you, but regardless) has a similar situation with Windowblinds and Skinstudio. The average user has no need for Skinstudio, hence making it a "skinner's program." Stardock charges the same price--$19.95--for Windowblinds and for Skinstudio Standard.

In other words, I think you'd rather encourage skinners to adopt your app and develop lots of must-have skins for it, drawing in a much wider crowd of users who will *WANT* to buy iTunes Skinner to use those skins.

#246892