I realise that this is likely to become a contentious thread, and will probably get me flamed, but ... here goes

I am becoming concerned at the increasing number of skins (or Icons or Cursors) that are only available after paying a free. The OD ethos has always been that you pay for the system and a worldwide band of dedicated users are sufficiently motivated to produce the skins that go with it. This has always worked well.

I fully accept that a lot of work goes into producing some skins and that the creator is fully entitled to recompense for his work (if he is a professional graphics designer), but this trend is increasing and could deter users from buying OD products in the first place. BTW I don't recall Stardock ever mentioning on it's advertising that some skins etc may incur further expenditure to acquire.

Don't get me wrong, I have purchased both the Orion and Toon XP suites because I consider them to be outstanding pieces or work so I am not bitching just because I want something for free