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So, what's up with Stardock and Object Desktop?

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So, what's up with Stardock and Object Desktop?

from WinCustomize Forums

I was a longtime user of Object Desktop.  For many, many years I subscribed and enjoyed getting new skins to apply to my computer.  I still use Xav73's skins to this day.  The lack of update to some programs was an issue at times but things generally got done.  Then Impulse came out and we were told it would be wonderful and great and a new version of OD would come out and it would be world changing. 

Not so much.

Impulse did keep things updated but I never saw much change in what was available that I wanted to use.  Windowblinds still worked pretty well but the Mycolors stuff that attempted to take over for suites never worked right on Windows 7 for me and then several things started breaking that I'd been using for some time.  I'd say it was my system except this happened on all windows 7 installs I tried it on.  I found I had to do more fiddling to get things skinned properly.  Personally, I still use suites and prefer them.  It's too bad some of Xav73's objects he created for the desktop won't work under 7.

Impulse always seemed like just a way to push users to get games and advertise to us and get us to buy buy buy when nothing was really changing to make for a new GUI experience.  Desktop X can kinda sorta make a complete change to your experience but it's not any different from what I can see from it's XP incarnation.  Screensavers are sorta animated now but nothing earth shattering.

So, all this is to say, I didn't see much changing after I changed to Win 7 and installed OD.  Really, it's nice and all but it's not moving forward.  Things still take a lot of work if you want to skin your computer like the Enterprise (but why would you want to?) for example.  And if I have to do lots of work to get everything just right it's not worth the $35 to re-up every year.  Therefore, last year I let my OD subscription lapse for the first time in a long while.  Today, I went back to see if anything new had been done by Stardock only to find the latest releases of new on the website are still TWO YEARS OLD!  If the website is posting news that's that old, then I'm willing to bet the products haven't moved forward at all since I let my sub lapse.  So, it would be a total waste of my money to re-subscribe.

What I want to hear from all you guys out there is this: give me a reason, give me several reasons why I should buy OD again.  Why should I buy Stardock's stuff now?  I don't want Impulse pushed games; that's not what I'm here for.  I see Impulse is, mercifully, going away after the corporate <scam> buyout that I found rather revolting anyway.  What I want is new skins that do new things to my GUI.  What I want is the EASY ability to do wholesale changes to my GUI, not so it looks like OS/X but looks completely different, unique and fun to use and look at.  I want that new GUI to make the use of my computer easier.  That's what I want.  Is Stardock and OD going to move forward and provide this?

Anyone, Bueller, Bueller?

217,511 views 94 replies
Reply #26 from WinCustomize Forums Top

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.

Quoting Philly0381, reply 22
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

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

Reply #27 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting DrJBHL, reply 25
Jorge uses other websites to download his 2 programs which I love, but which have problems as well.

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

TouchTasks - Access tasks with ease on Windows touchscreens.
Reply #28 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting JcRabbit, reply 27
Hey, I resent that, my programs are PURFECT! lol

Alomst.

Reply #29 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Jafo, reply 1
One post....7 comments...in 8 years and it's "want want want".

"revolting" is relative.

Oh, correction....

want want want want want.   [pays to be accurate]....
Since when is it wrong to want something you pay for? and to physicall go back and look a how may times someone has posted a comment is riduculous. Is he on trial. Is this not what a forum is for. I have to agree that beyond the initial investment, there is not much too look forward to in renewing you OD subscription. Not yet at least.

Reply #30 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting vStyler, reply 2
There are plenty of suites that have been assembled by Philly for my skins.., and other great, modern skins.. whats the issue exactly, all seems rather modern to me, at least as modern as Win 7 will allow.

Also, stylewise... 'Modern' has trended more minimally, there are still some good folks making 'fun' skins as well tho.

Perhaps what you need is to gripe at Microsoft.. Stardock doesn't make OS's. As far as Stardock goes.. your always free to exercise your.. free market.. will.

 

My mom always said.. I want... never gets.

 

I want a bag of hundreds.
Did you pay somebody for a bag of hundreds and did they claim that the said bag of hundreds would come with new and exciting features in the months to come?

Reply #31 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting c242, reply 5
It always makes me shudder how long term customers that gave good money to Stardock over the years are treated here (so much for 'want, want, want'). Especially by You Jafo. With all given respect, but sometimes I really wonder. Ant the beg for patience maybe right if we where talking about some hobbyist freeware here, but we are not. It is a given fact that Object Desktop loses value regularly.

Some of You even didn't get the intention of the thread-starter at all and have fallen to automatic defense mode that is activated quick and often here.

 
I have to agree and will probably get flack for that, but alot of these comments look like personal attacks from people that got there feelings hurt instead of addressing the original complaint which is bang for the buck. Is this a business or not?

Reply #32 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Hankers, reply 17
Not disagreeing one bit with what you said Jorge but what I see as an issue is the groundhog day repeating of the same line over and over Ad infinitum.

Things will get done when they get done and not before they are ready.  These public displays of venting will not hasten the development or updates of any Stardock products.

No one is trying to drive anyone away.
That's professional?!

Reply #33 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Drzues, reply 29
Since when is it wrong to want something you pay for?

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.

Reply #34 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Drzues, reply 30
Did you pay somebody for a bag of hundreds and did they claim that the said bag of hundreds would come with new and exciting features in the months to come?

 

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.:erk:

 

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

Reply #35 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Drzues, reply 32
Quoting Hankers, reply 17Not disagreeing one bit with what you said Jorge but what I see as an issue is the groundhog day repeating of the same line over and over Ad infinitum.

Things will get done when they get done and not before they are ready.  These public displays of venting will not hasten the development or updates of any Stardock products.

No one is trying to drive anyone away.That's professional?!

"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?

 


Reply #36 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting vStyler, reply 34
.. 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.

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' ....;)

Reply #37 from WinCustomize Forums Top

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

 

Either way, someone is going to complain.

Reply #38 from WinCustomize Forums Top

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.

Reply #39 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting DrJBHL, reply 35
Quoting Drzues, reply 32Quoting Hankers, reply 17Not disagreeing one bit with what you said Jorge but what I see as an issue is the groundhog day repeating of the same line over and over Ad infinitum.

Things will get done when they get done and not before they are ready.  These public displays of venting will not hasten the development or updates of any Stardock products.

No one is trying to drive anyone away.That's professional?!

"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?

 


?

Reply #40 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Drzues, reply 39
?


Quoting and replying to your #32.

As for your #38?  

Read Jafo's #33. 

 

Reply #41 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Going to see the debt now. you kids have fun.

 

Reply #42 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Drzues, reply 39
I dont see a demand for anything

Repeating.. I want.. over and over.. does come across, to me at least, and apparently others as demanding.... maybe I'm missing something.

:\

Reply #43 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting DrJBHL, reply 28

Quoting JcRabbit, reply 27Hey, I resent that, my programs are PURFECT! lol

Alomst.

 

      

Reply #44 from WinCustomize Forums Top

No your not. Your trying to be clever and insulting.

Reply #45 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Drzues, reply 44
No your not. Your trying to be clever and insulting.

To whom are you responding?

Reply #46 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I'm really not, I'm giving u my (non-biased, as this has no bearing on me, no horse in this race) opinion on the OP.. that's all.

Don't take it the wrong way please... but to me, the entire post was demanding and entitled.

just calling it how i see it. Nothing more.

Reply #47 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Drzues, reply 44
No your not. Your trying to be clever and insulting.
response to #40. Don't want to be confusing.

Reply #48 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Drzues, reply 47
Quoting Drzues, reply 44No your not. Your trying to be clever and insulting.response to #40. Don't want to be confusing.
too late.

Reply #49 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting vStyler, reply 46
I'm really not, I'm giving u my (non-biased, as this has no bearing on me, no horse in this race) opinion on the OP.. that's all.

Don't take it the wrong way please... but to me, the entire post was demanding and entitled.

just calling it how i see it. Nothing more.
Sorry. I didnt mean you. I agree with a lot you say, I just dont agree with ganging up on someone for there opinion.

Reply #50 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Drzues, reply 48



Quoting Drzues,
reply 47
Quoting Drzues, reply 44No your not. Your trying to be clever and insulting.response to #40. Don't want to be confusing.too late.

Yep.