I will add my 2 cents also , The only complaint I ever had with Impulse was that they out the functionality that would have allowed it to only show the applications that worked with my OS. Having to click on each app to find out if it was compatible was a bit cumbersome. I prefer the all in one deliver system (Stardock Central ,Impulse etc.)

Having something that makes keeping tabs on the Object Desktop components simpler/easier would be welcome. I actually liked the general functionality of both SDC and Impulse. From the little bit of looking around it sounds like something is in the works though when is the question. The website download was always a nice backup option (for me at least) but I never had reason or want to use it. I guess that changes now.

Not trying to sidetrack the conversation but can someone throw me a few links to the discussions I'm sure have cropped up about Stardock not using Impulse? With what I remember reading from around the sale time it sounded like things were probably still going to remain tight between the two groups. I'm just suprised thats not the case and Stardock decided apparently to not use the 'register your bought software license in Impulse' route they were trying to market when they owned it.

So, is this the endgame?  I'm with a number of other people on here who never had a problem with Impulse in concept.  It had it's issues, but I never thought it was bad.  It certainly was head-and-shoulders above a page of DL links.

Really, to me, OD is at best a convenience and at worst, bling.  There is nothing wrong with either, and I paid for them because they amused me/made my life easier.  When I sit down to use my recreational PC (as opposed to work ones), I don't want to have to go around to several different products and see if there are updates available for them, and then download them individually, etc.  At that point, it's getting to be more trouble than something that makes my desktop nicer-looking is worth.

I realize that I don't have much of a leg to stand on, as my subscription has lapsed.  I've been holding off on renewing until I know for sure what's going on.  Is this page o' links just a temporary measure until a new download manager is deployed - or is it the way things are going to be from now on?  At very least, I'd hope for something that tells me there is an update available rather than having to check on my own.

Bottom line is, I love a lot of the feature of OD (and right now, I really, really wish I'd remembered to download and archive before my subscription expired) but my Windows machine is for play time.  I get enough hunting-and-tweaking on my Linux machines - for Windows, I just want things to work.

Please let me stress as much as I possibly can that this is NOT a "make me happy or I'll take my ball and go home" post.  I just wanted to get another opinion out there, because if I don't say anything, I have right to complain later if nothing changes.

You know I think this is just silly. I still stand by my statements that there is no reason why updates can't be built into the software. I do not buy the arguments I heard why that would not be convenient. If you can install, run and uninstall the software individually you should be able to update them individually. And for those who say that there is to much software that would bombard you with updates I think is nuts. How often are updates released and are you going to tell me that the updates are always released at the same time? You could have the option not to be notified of updates and could still have an update button to click on to check for updates.

This is so simple and we keep going over this again and again. In today's world programs update themselves or at least notifies you of updates. I do not understand why stardock software should be any different.

I am not against another program doing all this but I do not see why it is necessary.

JuniorCrocks : Judging by the given update situation since some time You are absolutely right.

I too hope for something like SDC/Impulse, Daiwa. They had many truly great points. I trust SD to be developing this, as it only makes sense.

Most software have an option in the settings to turn off automatic updates including your ccleaner.

Ccleaner is not your regular software. Iy is sort of like your virus protection program. Ccleaner is always adding new reg. items for it to look for. I checked into the update all the time situation over a year ago and that is what I was told. Makes sense to me why it does it so often. Just thought i would let you know and any others.

I agree Dave and even for regular software I personally do not mind being notified. Its not like it happens every 10 minutes.

JC - why not pm the devs and ask them the reasoning behind not doing what you have suggested?

Reiterating the question here isn't going to give you the answer you seek, and it's a reasonable question... solve it in the most efficient manner possible and open to you. If I had the answer, heck, I'd tell you.

Yeah - I love the option of just hitting "update all" or cherry-picking amongst them if I feel like it - also, the fact that, with Impulse, it would let you know that they (the updates) were there, but nothing that popped up and said you had to update.  Just a little yellow balloon that basically said, "Hey, here are some updates, click that button if you want to update."

No hunting around, nothing intrusive - just convenience. 

Doc I am not going to say anymore about it after this and I was not really posing a question. I will not mind the solution Stardock comes up with. I was simply saying that another program to update other programs is not necessary based on the arguments for it. There are not enough constant updates to be annoying, not everyone has every Stardock software installed and for those who do simply turning off notifications and automatic updates would give people the option to check and install them.

Perhaps it is easier for the developers to create and maintain an all in one program. If that is the case then so be it.

It's not so much the prompts, but the frequency of new versions. 

Shoulda said it annoys me rather than 'drives me crazy' 'cause that's closer to reality.  Others may dispute the craziness part.

This is a replacement? So I never know when a new version is available and I have to go through each app to check which version I am on? I cant even tell which beta version of tiles im on there is no version on the about window. And was was fine with impulse I dont think you asked everyone what they wanted I still am running impluse.

Derekuda

Maybe this would be a good time for SD to regularize their versioning system so that what the app reports in 'About' matches what the website/download manager shows.  They've never been the same and that has been a burr in my saddle from day 1.

Yes.  Revive it.  NOW.

The alternative is some slick interface like Impulse that what? Get's all built up, running smooth and then bought by who? Google maybe. They could lump Rainmeter and Google Gadgets into it. And then we're back to this and someone is bitching we've been through this before. No one will be happy. We may have to take to the forums and blogs every Friday in mass protest. No one will be working because they'll be protesting. And then others will join. Spouses and children of skinners. HG will be ordering pizzas for everyone. They'll organize on G+ and suggest things. Storming the offices of SD. Island Dog will probably be the first to fall cause he just won't accept that it's happening.  Zubaz will be leading them all dressed in some obscene zubazish outfit. God! The whole of the revolution could end up adorned in Zubaz uniforms!!!!!!! They'll defile Brads Porsche in Zubaz designs!!!!!! IT"LL BE ANARCHY!!!!!!  

SDC

SDC

SDC

SDC

SDC

Stardock Central was just fine. Maybe it could be improved/added to in some small way, but I still prefer it to Impulse. I miss the WinCustomize browser as well.

I don't care how they do it be it SDC or some other way Just as long as we can install the app's without Archiving like with they had with SDC you got direct download links .. then they come out with Impulse and took away the direct DL links and kept it quiet (as in it was NOT on Stardock.com) to new or renew users.

that after a year if you did not Archive (from Impulsedrive or driven) you lost your Programs you bought if you did or had to do a reformat till people started making post I can't install my app's after not renewing and all they got was well you should have Archived ... and yet they, never did tell you on Stardock that you had to... 

"When you purchase Object Desktop, you automatically get a 1-year subscription to ObjectDesktop.net and not only get all of the features Object Desktop has today, but all of the features for a full year.

This means you will receive all updates and new programs added to Object Desktop throughout the year automatically. What you download is yours forever and at the end of the year, you can continue your subscription or stick with what you already have." 

"At the end of the year, users can renew their access to keep getting new updates (and if they don't, they can continue to use what they have forever)."

but it don't say you have to Archive or tell you how. which to me is wrong!

======

and it still states you have to have

Impulse must be installed in order to download and update software

and it still is telling you, you get some of the Discontinued App's

as in

Enhanced File Dialog

ObjectEdit

and some others

need to update the site and the documents stop misleading customers...

Personaly i like the wy stardock products handle their updates you dont get bugged with nagy popups that scream at your face that there is a tiny 500 kb update
I do hate that on my antivirus software if you are busy gaming or even when i sculpt in ZBrush and i have to be concentrated and you get pulled back to your desktop right in the middle of your work is just annoying. Gladly this doesnt happen with Stardock products.
But i also would like to have the little info at impulse back where impulse showed you a 1 at the taskicon if there was an update available.