Cu3er - Authors Discussion

Hi everyone,

So, I’ve started seeing little comments like “ugh, another cu3er template” from authors and buyers. I’m just curious what other authors are thinking at this point.

I personally think that it’s an awesome plugin, but doesn’t replace a good design or fix a bad one. In lots of cases, a basic template without CU3ER can have it installed in under 15 minutes, so it seems like it should be swappable with any other jQuery/Flash slider out there – but I also know buyers don’t see it this way and that CU3ER based templates seem to be selling like hotcakes. So here are the questions:

Has CU3ER taken over templates? What are the pro’s and con’s of including it in a template? Is this just another fad that will fade away in a month? Do you think buyers are demanding CU3ER in templates now? Are you sick of seeing CU3ER in templates?

Veteran authors: Has a similar plugin caused a similar phenomena in the past?

Also – I’m very interested in hearing from buyers too, so don’t hesitate to respond.

My template “iMaxell” was the first with CU3ER in ThemeForest and it was a hit, I’ve experimented with 4 more options (jQuery fades and slides) because too many people hate flash, in fact I don’t like flash I just prefer minimal sites without flash and that’s why I used those jQuery options.

CU3ER is so easy to cuztomize and beautiful hence the hit but is too boring now with 8 or 9 templates/themes (and counting) using it as the main slide. I think I will use it again in another template but differently.

My two cents:

I’ve opted to offer it in a few of my templates as optional elements (just like an image or a video), but they aren’t crucial design components in any case. I do have a few in the works that will use CU3ER as an optional alternative to a jQuery slider on the homepage, but I don’t think that it should be used in EVERY new template that comes out. Unfortunately, I think that lots of buyers will basically buy CU3ER on first impression without really understanding the limitations that it brings. Perhaps seeing 15 items on the homepage with the same plugin will create backlash.

I’m not sick of seeing CU3ER per say, but I am tired of seeing lackluster designs using it as a crutch to pick up sales. That’s not creativity – it’s gimmickry. If the template won’t work without CU3ER (ie: using a flat image instead), it’s probably not a great template to begin with.

In most cases, I think templates that force CU3ER on buyers should also be required offer a suitable non-flash alternative – this being themeforest and all – it seems silly that a template should force Flash as a layout component. That’s just my own humble opinion though.

That said, I still think CU3ER is great and meets a lot of buyers requests for a powerful attention getting device. As an author, you pretty much can’t afford to ignore it’s existence right now. Even if you decide not to use it, you’ve gotta be aware of the competition.

Finally – I really do hope that it’s a passing fad. I like it (a lot), but there are a lot of powerful non-Flash alternatives out there that I hope get attention from designers and developers here.

Good discussion so far!