Good question.

As is stands right now, I'm not even sure when my subs run out (due to muck ups in the way things are being handled now...not a good omen this was fixed). I think my WC sub runs out next year...and I honestly can't think of a good reason to renew. The only reason I can think of is the Master skin discount. This version of WC went live a few years ago, and there are *still* lingering bugs that never got fixed. Why should I renew if the money I'm giving isn't being put towards fixing the site and maintaining it?

As for OD....I got the whole package because it was a better deal. I got a ton of awesome programs and updates to go with them, all for a pretty hefty discount compared to getting them separately. But with things the way they are now...it might actually make more financial sense to get them separate. ODNT works as a subscription: I get free update for as long as my sub is current (1 year subs). After that year, no more updates. With how slowly the updates are coming out, I might get only a handful of updates during my sub (and then they might totally FUBAR my system, as with the latest WB update). Compare that to the separate purchases...I have OD+ and I can get updates up until the next major version change. OD2 came out a few years ago or so and we've only gotten a handful of updates in that time...but I'll likely get updates forever since it could be forever before it sees another major update.

For the record, I've been supporting Stardock and WC as a paying customer for over 7 years.

gmknobl if I can be of any help with using Theme Manager and the Suites function just send me a PM or email.  I will be glad to help in any way I can.  As has been said for several of the pieces of software, Theme Manager does have some things that need updating but it will work. 

I do try and keep up with the great skinners in the community but there does come times (like right now) that there are many new WBs being uploaded that I will fall behind.  With Theme Manager you can also set up your own suites that you put together just for yourself.  The suites I put together and upload will be mostly 90% themed skins.

If you want just one reason why you should subscribe again, change everything back to default on your computer (desktop wise) and stare at your screen for a little while, or as long as your eyes can take.  Updates are coming, believe it or not, you don't want to miss out on it. 

On both sides......in, a perfect world. 

Philly, check dropbox. 

Indeed, Wiz and my thanks to Philly as well.

I wish folks would just realize that as much as I want to vent and want the apps yesterday, I realize all the shouting and screaming in the world won't hurry the process.

Why not?

Because there is a process through which each app and item has to go through because teams and people make them. They were doing other stuff before. So now you have tasked people and groups and people making sure it's getting done and people to check and test the apps (I venture to challenge anyone to deny what screaming there would be if they weren't well tested - and EVEN THEN they won't be perfect for every set up). 

What will?

The people themselves and their motivation. The process is in place to assure quality. It's no big secret that the people were developing Impulse and games as well as software. Brad even said everyone was working too much. Now there are more people and no Impulse. So there will be a replacement soon. There's a download page for the software until then. Jorge uses other websites to download his 2 programs which I love, but which have problems as well. So everyone is getting what they should/are entitled to with one big exception: DX. That absolutely needs to get fixed. I agree with those who have said so and have tried for some time to help people having problems with it. I've been back and forth with Support doing that. Not because I get paid to and not because it's my job. Just to help people. No one here (including me) knows how hard Dewie and Roscoe_P and everyone else in support worked to try and get Phoon going with the older, more functional DX version.

Reasons to buy OD again?

No one is telling you to buy again. Wait and see what happens.

Jorge -

I don't see anyone being driven away. 

Asking for patience and explaining what little of what's going on that I know isn't denying what they have to say. I think enough of it to answer: FOR ME, not Stardock. I don't work for Stardock and don't represent it (for the 1,000th time).

Let's see if anyone reads this any better than what I research and try hard to serve up to you.

I must admit that having read posts like this I've had some reservations about buying an ODNT subscription, so I've considered doing the same as Bebi and just buying one or two programs, then getting ODNT when things are better. But reading Frogboy's recent post has given me hope that change is just around the corner, so I will buy ODNT because I'm a bloody idiot with no financial sense I want to have that change on my computer, plus I'd like to become a bigger part of the community and contribute in some way.

Hell no! I'd rather subject myself to a lemon juice eyebath.

Hey, I resent that, my programs are PURFECT! lol

Alomst.

Not at all...as the OP refers to himself in the past tense..."was a longtime user".  That infers he is no longer a user.

"Last year I let my OD subscription lapse" subsequently confirms the OP is no longer a customer.

"I see Impulse is, mercifully, going away after the corporate <scam> buyout that I found rather revolting anyway." is what I find both insulting AND ill-conceived.  If ANYTHING guarantees the future prospects of Stardock's GUI software it IS THIS SALE.

Being a past anything entitles you to an entry in a history book, not an opportunity to demand [want] things differently.

It's curiously amusing that 'nothing has happened in 2 years' and yet we now have the "best windows program ever" [or some such quote] which is Fences.

WERE this in a Stardock Support forum asking for future prospects/whatever we ALL are required to respond courteously and provide assistance where due.

This instead is 'General Discussion" and 'generally' I for one am tired of the attitudes of several respondents here. <-- underlined for POLITE effect.

For the OP with his 'wants' [Beuller or otherwise], the sale of Impulse is causal AND effect of 'things are happening'.

I can be patient.  It's a virtue, apparently.

....and a rare one, clearly.

Well, I guess I havent experienced SD telling me I was going to get something I didn't, that I remember anyway.... but If that had happened, Im pretty sure that entering the fray repeatedly saying I want this, I want that, It wouldn't get me far. This is true of most businesses I have had dealings with over the years.

I've always found you catch more flies with honey... and to me, again, Imo...for what SD charges for most of their stuff, it's a pretty good value for the dollar.

 Perhaps the post to me, seemed a little on the.. 'I'm entitled'.. side.. when anyone not happy with a product, service, is free to stop paying for it.

 Again, just my personal views, folks are are free to act however they want in public, this is just my advice... for what its worth.\

.. and I'm always going to want that bag of hundreds, although I know, no one is going to just hand it over.. so I don't demand.

I don't agree with Jafo on much, but I do here.

"Professional"? Wasn't aware Super Wizop is considered a "Profession".

And just what's wrong with what he wrote? That you don't like it? That's apparently the "standard" for for something, but just what?

A guy in Oz got an arts grant for $20,000.  He used it to withdraw....$20,000 ... 2 packs [taped] of 100s.

He presented them to auction as 'art'.

They sold for $21 and a half thou.

Ah....taking a loss for your 'art' ....

I think the call that beating the system.... or.. selling out. 

Either way, someone is going to complain.

I dont see a demand for anything. I see an informed oppinion and a request for answers. I see a long time member being attacked for speaking his mind. I see alot of assumption but no real answers to a valid question that has been shadowed in angry response.

Quoting and replying to your #32.

As for your #38?  

Read Jafo's #33.