No....it won't be by date....something may be 'old' but it will be new to a new member of the site.

I think the DL success-rate should be a reasonable criteria.....and that could most likely impact on some works/artists whose work is not normally moderated due to their access level....[yep, I can see mine going, even now]...

But it's the most popular ones that are causing the most problem by taking up download bandwidth.

I hope I will not step on someones toes by reacting here. I agree with what 1renegade says. I also agree some wallpapers shouldnt have gotten through that made it. And I think some should have been in the database while they were rejected. In other words: taste is personal and moderation will always be subjective sifting. The question really is: what policy does WC want to go for. If you want only works that matches some of WB skins, you strike immediately the roots of the artist, namely: freedom.
If you have to design within boundaries it is not fun. One wants to explore, try new things, so you strike originality too, the more if you want the popular works. Innovative work is per definition not rated high (I have read Frogboy saying he sees less innovative wb skins for instance). Well I think that goes for walls too. People always try to imitate what gets the most popular ratings/downloads. There is a big tension between popularity and innovativity. Between concepts using 'existing' rules, and concepts that somehow seem to violate the 'existing' rules. In short: in my opinion it is impossible to eat from two walls (heh), popular/innovative. Well, I wrote this from the heart without rereading, I hope I haven't hurt anyones feelings.

Lecrayon...yes that all makes good sense, but imagine the 'creative freedom' being associated directly with 'wallpapers'. The artist is 'free' to design a 'wallpaper' in the same way that if one were to design a 'car' it is expected that you get a car. If you are requested to design a 'car' and you produce a 'bus' then perhaps it's quite reasonable to expect rejection on the grounds that the product didn't match the 'brief'.
Now the ONLY time this analogy 'falls down' is when the family of 20 looks at the 'bus' and thinks 'car', but generally most will look at a 'bus' and think 'bus'...

As for suggesting to the artist what may or may not suit a wallpaper is akin to suggesting that seats for 45 passengers is a bit OTT for a 'car'...and carrying this analogy to its logical conclusion...suggestions to make a 'bus' more like a 'car' really helps with parking issues when all the parking spaces are 'car'-sized...

For 30 years now, I have been designing residences, etc for clients....they provide criteria/limitations....I fit in [comply]...[as much as possible].
If I want to be 'freely artistic' [with NO limitations] that's on my own time...or for my own use/benefit/projects....where there are no constraints or 'moderation'.

Wincustomize.com has 'limitations/criteria', for good reason....and is a reflection of the 'real-world' of Graphic Design...

Look Jafo, I am not willing to go over it all again. It's obvious we look at the same topic from different professions. You are fully entitled to give your view about it. What I do is PAINT the car, bus, surfboard, canvas. In that I am free to choose whatever medium I like, no boundaries, the only boundaries I have is the size of the object. I am NOT attacking Wincustomize, NOT attacking limitations/criteria. I merely say something from MY world. And please stop everytime to say I 'suggest' things. PLEASE.
In wallpapers you are NOT free, you have to take in mind colours that are soothing for the eye for instance. "If I want to be 'freely artistic' [with NO limitations] that's on my own time...or for my own use/benefit/projects" > I have the luck being in that position! Can you stop now? And just accept there are different views?

Why is this such a hard concept for some people? If you want to have your works viewed without moderation, upload then to your own wesite for which YOU pay the bandwidth or someplace else like deviantart that does not moderate for quality. End of story....move along.