Qubee, I understand your frustration...I wasn't all that thrilled about either...but after I got over it and saw that it didn't alter any files and didn't slow down my system and on top of that I have the whole ObjectDesktop setup which comes with a ton of apps and rather than have to check each one to see if there are any updates I only have to look at the impulse icon in my systray and it will tell me when any updates are there. And like Anakey said above...after you install your app you can just uninstall it. But them you won't know when there are any new updates in the future. It's really quite harmless.

It's really not that bad, mate. As WebGizmos said, it's so light, you don't even notice that it's there.

THAT JUST BLOWS MY MIND!! 

'All' programs typically have their own 'installer' which is itself a 'program'.

Stardock's use of a SINGLE installer for any and all of Stardock's range of software is actually an intelligent and sensible approach.  If you were to purchase 10 programs elsewhere you would have effectively 10 program executables...and 10 installer executables.

With Stardock's approach [with Impulse] you can have the 10 program executables...but you only need the one installer executable...namely Impulse.

The logic is quite irrefutable, really....

It just 'seems' top-heavy with the [typically] initial single purchase [hence Neil's wishes for a separate, individual alternative installer]...

Thanks for everyone's replies.

I've calmed down a teensy bit since last night's storm of annoyances.

I see the purpose and method of Impulse, but I still don't like it.

I guess I'm old school...or just "old", and like standalone apps that don't require umbilicals to the mothership. Activation/authentication, okay fine...but this is the first instance I've encountered where an application was dependent on an independent system to obtain, validate and install.
I thought the "archive" function would provide me with an exe/msi I could save to my own archives for later install in W7, but it just saves the application as a proprietary "Impulse" file.

Grr...

Another pet peeve of mine is when anything starts sticking stuff in my system tray.
Ooh I hate that.
"Quick Launch" and my other custom taskbar toolbars are how I get one click app launching done.
Personally, I don't like incidental utilities and I keep my system tray clean.
Just my neurotic tastes I suppose...

So I go though the hoops and install WB7 on my current XP system to take it out for a spin.
Seems to work pretty good, and I thank the heavens there's somebody out there creating a solution to liberate users from Microsoft's ghastly UI design sensibilities.)
(I also was glad I already have .NET installed from Sony Vegas, or I probably would have had a stroke when the installer prompted me to get it.)

And, as others mentioned above, I found you can uninstall Impulse after WB7 is installed.
However, you need to re-install Impulse when you want to uninstall WB7.
Another irritant.

And it does tend to leave behind a little mess when its gone.
A number of files and folders...nothing too serious...however, over 2000 derelict registry keys is justification to sneak up on your developers and flick their earlobe real hard.
I can see how XP optimization development (at least in the uninstaller area) would be low priority since it's almost at the end of it's support life, but I still get upset at 2k + trash in my registry.
It was probably all innocuous, and it's just my neuroses again, but over 2600+ junk keys is a record in my experience.

Anywhoo, thanks to Neil for his explanation re: DRM.


W7 should be in da house later this month.
Back for more whining then, probably.

So, all of this is great reading for the pros and cons weighing on 1 v. per app installs, but ultimately doesn't address the real problem.  I've had Impulse uninstalled for a bit, going through system hardware upgrades.  I downloaded Impulse, and got a pop up window asking if I really wanted to give Impulse admin rights, because the program has been known to unintentionally do some things that crash other programs. 

That's a new one for me, thoughts anyone?  Bueler?  Bueler?

So I figured, OK, lets run it regular, cause that's the safe bet, you can always elevate and suddenly, it locks up on log in, won't connect to servers and tells me to try later.  And like QuBee, my first reaction is great, now the install program that I need to install my programs is bugging out and I know its bugging out cause when I clicked on the "click here" button, the command issued smoothly, my browser window opened and there, on the proper tab was the Impulse help file. 

So I get the send this error to Stardock thing after it checks for updates, and spending an inordinate amount of time "logging" in.  Now, it just keeps saying, re-connect to internet and try again.  Obviously, I'm here writing this, so my internet is just fine.

And, about as much as QuBee hates errant and uninvited taskbar hosts, I positively despise IT folks who counsel to the lowest common denominator.  Really, if I tell you I have already recycled the modem and router and am ready to move on the the next step (comcast, but you get the point), and when you question the procedure I used and get a response that clearly indicates you're speaking with a fairly knowledgeable sort, who by rote, has already taken the first three fixes common to most corrupted installs, and scoured both MS's and your own help sites to no avail.  Asking me to further repeat these steps will bring forth a bit of irritation.  So please, don't ask me to uninstall the freakin program again, believe that I already did, twice probably!!!  With a fresh download at that.

So where does that leave me?  Impulse wont connect and log me in, can't install anything without that, and really would like to start using the software I purchased.

That just should have been one of those assumptions I was talking about 

So, I'm thinking that it's got to be a port forwarding issue.  The building I live in provides broadband access, and rather than do things the usual way, set up a WPK-PSA protected access point and provide us with log-in information, with your typical cabling (or whatever) to modem, modem to router, router to say, an old POS used strictly for the AP, noooooo, they get this program which is able to limit UL\DL speeds and time of use per internal LAN\IP, and give the3 building manager access to that program, but lock down the host of said program, Win2003 Server, which is configured to act as the router/modem, to the exclusion of them and outside contractors who do general upkeep.  The only way to forward a port is to wait till the guy unlocks the system, and allows the install program to let the properties tab be toggled to open a closed port and then for listening to that port.  If, like iTunes, Impulse is forced to certain ports for updates, certain ports for incoming, outgoing, etc., then it seems to me that if windows directs all my traffic on the LAN through a directed port, and Impulse is listening on its default port, when the returning, (insert appropriate definition of what I will call a packet) packet's data is changed when it leaves to return to port 21 (which is in turn forwarded to my LAN/ip) she will be in the same position she's in...never knowing what the *true* ration is

This might be of interest...it made me giddy:

Check "chillychan's" posts.

https://forums.stardock.com/372042/page/1/#2501338

I just downloaded it and have yet to try it.

Fingers crossed.

Qubee.

[UPDATE]

Nevermind...

Not only did this "standalone" pretender install frigging Impulse, after reboot it was generous enough to dump no less than three running instances of it in my system tray.

*sigh*

To add further insult to injury, although Window Blinds 7 was installed, it failed to put a folder or links in the Windows "All Programs" list.

Nuttin. Nada. Had to drill down into Program Files and figure out which exe launched WB7.

I think maybe I'll dig around for a good old fashioned uxtheme.dll hack for W7.

Qubee.