You know, I think the biggest part of the problem here is communication.

A lot of us who are here (and who purchase the non gaming products that Stardock 'occasionally' offers) often feel like we're the afterthought of the business meetings.

So, Stardock makes more money from games than from Object Desktop. I can live with that, it's just a fact of life in that world (and I do prefer a world with Stardock in it than one without). I'm not commenting to say that Stardock should abandon a profitable enterprise.

But, would it be *so* hard to keep us in the loop about it?

It's like ODNT is the redheaded stepchild of the business (even though it's what got you started in the first place).

Throw us a bone every now and then.

Update more than the one or two marquee programs on a regular basis (how about real updates to WFX or virtual desktops [and so on]?).

CursorFX leaks memory like a collander (I use it, and I get *massive* memory usage from explorer, I don't use it, and there's no issue).

I (we) don't expect miracles. I'm not asking you to get everything in ODNT fresh and pretty in the next 24 hours or so.

But, it would be nice if you let us know that you *really* are giving it some attention, and that you're not hanging us out to dry, just because we're not buying 'Sins' or 'Elementals' (or whatever the 'game of the week' is).

You got to where you are *because* of us.

Don't toss us to the curb just because something prettier came along.

Thanks for your post gmknobl. We appreciate the time you took to inform us of your concerns about Object Desktop. I can assure you that we are working very hard on the software side of Stardock. Stay tuned!

https://forums.wincustomize.com/312133

The only thing that bugs me they never updated Boot-skin for W7, they initially said they would but wala this must be a project that was put on back burner way back on the old wood burning stove. I will still continue to update my subscription yearly though. More attention should be given to the SD side of the house, even though gaming is the cash cow.

skittles, sorry I don't know you but you made a very nice statement.

This type of thread keeps poping up again and again. Now it's starting to wear on some nerves of people which I can understand. You said "Stay Tuned". I'm just another person saying something and am happy to just be a member and try to just go with the flow. I really think the problem is with the "Stay Tuned" as everyone has said it for months and nothing happens. It apears to me that in all there is said this communication thing keeps coming up.

Impulse was sold and Stardock most likely made some good money. That is what they are supposed to do and good for them. However as soon as the members found out the question was how are we going to check on our status, downloads, updates, etc. Answer was another means was being worked on and will be available soon. Well it's been quite a while now and no additional word on when that may happen except when this type of thread is posted the same answers get told.

I totally believe things would calm down if there was more communication from Stardock. Example: Be patient, stay tuned, working on new stuff, saying things like when it gets done it will be done. All people would like to see is an updated message each month or two as to what may be taking place with OD products.

I'm waiting, being pastient, not complaining here and it would be fine if we were told again used as an example, there will be a new program for updating, etc available in early 2012. If when that time came and things were moved back to mid 2012, fine. That would be communication that I strongly feel would help this type of situation.

Hell these post are getting out of hand now as someone says something and another person thinks it's related to them and so on. Everyone will have their own opinions but when members start getting mad at other members it's not a good situation that again, simple communication can solve most of the problem. There are to many good people from Members to Mods, to Statdock Employees for a situation that can be resolved very easy. Communication.

I think some people abuse their access to us.

The reality is that at some point, programs mature. They reach the point of diminishing returns.  Look at WindowBlinds. Does it need monthly updates at this point?  Or Fences.

The number one reason that some programs don't get updated anymore is that they can't be supported on newer OSes and thus development has stopped -- IconX, ObjectBar, Keyboard LaunchPad, and so on.

C242, I've given you multiple chances to come back and be a good citizen here.  Don't push it.

Windows 7 had changes which make a bootskin application simply non viable which is why there is no BootSkin for Windows 7.

Logons maybe...but I can't imagine anyone updating "bootskin" which works [or not[ only IF your system's Bios is amenable to it.

Programs which by necessity are locked to a system's hardware are never going to succeed...not really..... hence Apple's market share in the PC world...

There are new things in development and I hope we will be able to release a video of something new within the next week.

Or....

what Neil said....

Actually I am working said video, and it's pretty cool.  

Well you updated from XP to work with Vista, I guess it was something that you did not want to do, or very unlikely you could not do.

 As for me, I'd rather see new and exciting programs and features for the present OS and development of current apps for the future. (which seems to get here faster and faster.)   Fences and Tiles are good examples.

Dropping old apps that are "past their prime" in favor of improving what people are using now just makes good sense. (As long as DX stays on the "not dead yet" list)

All of us have favorite programs we would like to see updated but as Frogboy said:

That's the reality of the present and we all have to face it. Now, can we please stop all the infighting and try to behave as an adult community?

P.S. Thanks for the reply, Brad. It lets us know you are listening.

Here's a status report:

https://forums.wincustomize.com/411679

Actually the response by Neil was much more straight to the point, thus much more coherent

Again, indeed.

My opinion is that the biggest issue is communication.

It hasn't been the games that has distracted us. It's been Impulse. And now that it's found a new home, we can get back into the groove.

Though there is still some transitionary stuff with Impulse until mid Fall so it's going to be gradual. But *I* have more time.

Brad, i read Your new report and I agree with things wholeheartly. For example letting OS support from the stone age (speak: "XP") go. Reading Your report and that Impulse was a good reason for the lack of resources makes me more patient and waiting what the future will bring. Communication is the key indeed.

Another reason why communication is important (and something I'll strive to improve) is that there are a LOT of other things going on in our industry that affect the desktop enhancements.

For example, when we first started, on Windows, our business model was to find developers who wanted to work on cool stuff in their spare time. They'd get a royalty and users would get a neat little program.

That's because most desktop enhancements don't make anywhere near enough to live on.

But today, it's hard to find new people who want to do that because those kind of people want to make iOS stuff.  As a result, only the developers who went on to become full time with us have been able to keep improving the programs they were involved in because those programs were sufficiently popular to sustain development.

When we got started, if you were a college student or a day-time developer looking to make some extra money at night, you'd make desktop enhancements.  Today, you make iPhone stuff.