[Michael]

In a move that could have been anticipated, had it not been for the fact that IPS seem to be struggling to provide support for what they already have on offer, IPS have managed to alienate themselves further from those who help give it momentum - the skinners, modders, and resource sites. They've managed this spectacular feat by announcing a new site, IPS Beyond. According to the IPS Forums, the site will feature, assumedly amongst other things: * Community forums for customer-to-customer assistance and mod/skin author interaction. * A database for both forthcoming IPS-supported modifications and skins along with third party mods and skins. * All mods and skins submitted by third parties will carry an “author guarantee” that they will function as described or an update will be made. (details coming soon) * Mod and skin authors will receive “points” based on their participation which can be redeemed for IPS products, services, and more. * Custom skinning and mod services will be available. * And much more... Chris Griego, from InvisionSkins, made a somewhat controversial post in the IPS forums which could be read as an epitath to all of those resource sites in the making, existing, and die-hard alike. While it seems that the sarcasm of his post may have been lost on some, it certainly acts as a valid, and perhaps slight uncomfortable point to a great many site owners; the point being that IPS seem to want to tackle IPB resource sites head on and with all guns blazing. The Rumour Mill Swings into Action As is common with these events, a more sinister rumour is spreading. The rumour alledges that IPS have every intention of removing resource sites via, again allegedly, an equally controversial method. However, as I can't posititively confirm either of the rumours, they should be seen as little more than words "from a friend of a friend who was chatting to a bloke down the pub" at this time. However, watch this space as we feel there may be at least a modicum of substance to this particular rumour. A Quick Death or a Slow Infection? So, does this undoubtedly controversial move from IPS create an instant death of a great many IPB resource sites, or are we looking at a slow and painful, boil-ridden infectious death? In some ways the move could be seen as a good thing. More competiton means better results for customers and users, who, at the end of the day, should always remain the main focus. However, there's a bitter after-taste to this apparently otherwise glossy pill. The more resources close down, the less choice there is for customers. I see some crucial flaws in the IPS move. They intend to make skins and mods available, while actually kicking a great many skinners and modders in the process. Many of the aforementioned skinners and modders have been quite happily providing their own IPB resource sites which, I think most will agree, has benefited a great many IPS Customers. I can't imagine that these same enthusiasts will be eager to feed the very company who snatched their business or their sites away, in broad daylight too. Ergo, the only realistic conclusion that one can end up with is that the new venture will simply be yet another database of some rather dull and dreary skins, designed by Jonny Come-Lately who has recoloured the default skin. Where have I seen that before? I'll be interested to see how that pans out. Further, it seems readily apparent to anyone who gives more than just a casual glance, that IPS has not been perfoming that well of late. The latest forum version is now four bug-fixes releases in and still contains bugs, by a recent admission from IPS, the gallery left a lot to be desired and needed some rapid overhauls. Posts from angry customers who are failing to get quality support continue to surface. How is another string to the already over-stretched IPS bow going to help this matter? As the Old Saying Goes There is an old saying that has proved valuable time and time again: "Never kick people on the way up as you may just need them again on the way down." IPS have indeed delivered a swift and brutal kicking to a great many people with this latest move. It's all too easy to forget that success is very much a two-way street when things seem to be going well. Personally, I feel it is a move that needn't cause too much worry (unless the gossip is true) and other resource sites should continue to fight the good fight, and focus upon the numerous weaknesses which are still present in other resources. In fact, this could actually be quite a good time to make those changes you've been putting off. Here's why: By directly attacking so many resource sites, all of which have their own loyal users, IPS are, whether they realise it or not, creating a "them and us" scenario. This always creates division and often forces people's hand. This may be fine but IPS is actually far more restricted in what it can get away with than eager and angered developers are. The eager developer doesn't have a company line to work to, or a wide range of products to continue to develop, fix and support, while all the time watching the bank balance to ensure that it remains in the black. Will it Affect InvisonCube I don't believe it will. Not to a great extent anyway. The fact remains that people come here for two chief reasons: 1. Unique skins that just aren't available elsewhere. (And never will be.) 2. Friendlier support. We have absolutely no desire to submit our works to an IPS-Managed database, as then we lose the uniqueness which is a core part of the very foundation of what made Studio-X what it was, and InvisionCube what it will be. Support will continue to be as friendly as ever. It's just what we do. We're a team who just happen to get on and want the same thing. Of course, the only irritable point is that it's hit us personally while we have a lot of vulnerabilities on show, such as, well, due to the heavy development at present, we are possibly the only IPB Skin site where you can't get your hands on a skin! All I can say to that is this news has certainly inspired me to patch that gap! So all in all, here it's business as usual. Regardless, the one thing we can be certain of is that IPS has very much thrown down the gauntlet and irreversibly showed its intentions to the IPB Skinning and Modding community. The only question remaining now is how are you going to deal with it? A tip of the hat to the Member who pointed all of this out to me.

http://www.invisioncube.com/board/in...showtopic=5232
Original above, it looks like an unwelcome move for IPS into the more commony associated member driven resource development for IPS software.

[Matt87]

Wow that's an interesting read.