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== Summary ==
[[Image:WinCustomize_Logo.jpg|right|frame|The WinCustomize logo features a [[chameleon]], a reference to changing appearance using [[skin (computing)|skins]]]]
Low resolution book cover, [[Captive Hearts, Captive Minds]], [[1994]]
'''WinCustomize.com''' is a website that was launched in March 2001 by [[Brad Wardell]] and [[Pat Ford]], both of whom work at '''[[Stardock]]'''. It is dedicated to providing content for users to customize their [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] experience, most of which is free to download. The site hosts thousands of [[skin (computing)|skins]], [[theme (computer)|themes]], [[icon (computing)|icons]], [[computer wallpaper|wallpapers]], and other graphical content that can be used to change virtually every aspects of the Windows [[graphical user interface]].
== Licensing ==
{{Non-free book cover}}
'''WinCustomize''' is also the preferred destination for users of [[software]] products offered by Stardock. Customization programs that are not explicitly included within their [[Object Desktop]], [[ThinkDesk]] or [[TotalGaming.net]] subscriptions fall under the WinCustomize [[brand]].
== Site history ==
Originally launched in 2001 after the infamous "Dot-Com Bomb" had taken down many popular [[skin]] sites, WinCustomize quickly grew in popularity due to a combination of wide variety of content, uptime reliability, and being the preferred content destination by [[Stardock]] customers.
The site has grown at a far greater pace than its founders had anticipated. It has managed to avoid having to put many limitations on users or having to resort to pop-up advertising because of its corporate patron Stardock subsidizing its costs.
In 2004, WinCustomize's traffic exceeded 3 million unique visitors per month. Stardock had the site re-designed using [[ASP.NET]] to try to decrease the server load and prepare the site to become more self-sufficient. Premium subscriptions have provided a way for users to contribute to supporting the site's continued growth, and have resulted in additional features (including the ''WinCustomize Browser'').
At the end of 2004, WinCustomize "2K5" was launched which provided a whole new interface, personal pages for the new "premium" [[subscriber]]s, and other features to expand the site's mission to include articles, tutorials, and other information on how users could get the most out of their Windows based PC.
==Forum Criticisms==
Wa wa wa, big cry babies. If you don't like something, then go some place else.
== WinCustomize products ==
These programs are distributed under the ''WinCustomize'' brand:
*''[[ObjectDock]]'' — provides a [[dock (computing)|dock]] for [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] similar to that in the [[Mac OS X]] [[Aqua (GUI)|Aqua]] [[graphical user interface|GUI]]
*''[[CursorXP]]'' — replaces existing [[cursor (computers)|cursor]] functionality with animated, resizable cursors and optional click effects
*''[[LogonStudio]]'' — alters the [[Windows XP]] [[welcome screen]]
*''[[BootSkin]]'' — alters the [[Windows 2000]] and Windows XP [[boot screen]]
*The ''WinCustomize Browser'' — a custom interface designed for easy access to the WinCustomize skin library and forums
Stardock also sells several suites through WinCustomize, including:
*''[[Natural Desktop|The Natural Desktop]]'' — a weather conditions and [[weather forecasting|forecasting]] suite with global coverage, backed by background sound effects, [[computer wallpaper|wallpapers]] and realistic weather animations
*''[[Aquarium Desktop]]'' — virtual plants and fish which swim around on the [[desktop]]
*[[Marvel Comics|Marvel]]-authorized theme packs for ''[[Spider-Man]]'', ''[[X-Men]]'' and ''[[Hulk (comics)|The Incredible Hulk]]''
== External links ==
*[http://www.wincustomize.com WinCustomize home page]
*[http://www.wincustomize.com/forums.aspx WinCustomize forums]
*[http://frogboy.wincustomize.com "Frogboy" Brad Wardell's personal page]
{{Stardock}}
[[Category:Digital art]]
[[Category:Art exhibitions]]
[[Category:Websites]]
[[Category:Virtual communities]]
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