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c242
c242
Join Date 03/2001
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Knock Knock

November 4, 2005 2:34:07 PM from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums
Is the whole Thinkdesk thing actually alive or are we beating a dead horse already ?
The whole situation becomes quite unsatisfying if You look at the last update dates...
thinkdesk
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c242
Chubs39
Join Date 03/2002
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Reply #1 November 4, 2005 6:16:40 PM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums
I agree. I heard from Brian in the newsgroups that he thought there was going to be a new build for Thinksync released by 10/28. Another week has passed and there's still no usable version of Thinksync for me to use. I don't mind paying for the beta testing, but there shold be more regular updates that resolve the most common issues. (0 byte files and memory crashes.)

If much more time elapses before a usable version is release I'm going to have to ask for a refund. I'm afraid that, at this point, my 1-year subscription won't even net me a release candidate...
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c242
Neil Banfield
Join Date 04/2001
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Reply #2 November 5, 2005 12:38:03 PM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

I believe your ThinkDesk 1 year subscription starts counting when ThinkDesk is officially released.  So it hasn't started yet.

There should be a new Keepsafe build and Multiplicity build coming soon.

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Chubs39
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Reply #3 November 5, 2005 1:25:27 PM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums
I hope you're right about when the subscription would start.

I would be happier if they came out with a new build of Thinksync... Multiplicity and Keepsafe users already have working products to use.
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c242
c242
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Reply #4 November 6, 2005 3:58:48 AM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums
Yes, I actually would prefer a working Thinksync, too.
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c242
c242
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Reply #5 November 19, 2005 3:27:38 AM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums
2 months of NO updates for a completely non-functional Thinksync and counting. Just to mention it.
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c242
Frogboy
Join Date 03/2001
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Reply #6 November 19, 2005 11:52:18 PM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

C242 - It's a beta.  We are working on it. Your 1 year doesn't start until ThinkDesk goes gold.  ThinkSinc (going to be rebranded ThinkMirror in the next build) is pretty complex.

Right now, all our internal QA resources are on WindowBlinds 5.

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c242
Chubs39
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Reply #7 November 20, 2005 1:52:59 PM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums
What you've said is true, it is a beta. But you do have our money at this point - so you shouldn't be surprised that we're asking for progress. If this was a free beta you could expect your customers to be very patient. I've been an OD subscriber for many years and I have to say that Thinksync is the most non-functional beta I've run across.

The least you could do is publish some sort of roadmap for your products so your *paying* beta customers know what to expect. I like supporting Stardock with my money but unless I see some progress (or maybe a timeline) I'm going to have to take my money elsewhere. I passed up other solutions originally based on my past experience with Stardock - I'm beginning to regret that I did.
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c242
c242
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Reply #8 November 20, 2005 2:49:18 PM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums
Right now, all our internal QA resources are on WindowBlinds 5.


Then there is something clearly going wrong, if because of WB everything else is on halt. Brad, at the moment I experience something I thought I will never experience with Stardock : At times I am very disappointed in the way SD is going. Don't get me wrong, You will still feel my friendship for the company and the people behind it, for example on other sites but there are times something has to be spoken about openly. I have mailed internally to express my feelings about it. Ask Larry if he could forward the mail to You, if he has not done so already.

One main pont : Public relations and support. There were times when SD was more open towards customers as You are now. For example it would never have been possible to simply not react in any way regarding the problems with rightclick and it's (I belive so) discontinuation and we have NEVER had 2 MONTHS of silence about a simply non working product (and I know I am not the only one) as with thinksync. I will not mention DesktopX.
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c242
ZubaZ
Join Date 11/2001
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Reply #9 November 20, 2005 9:52:04 PM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums
I have been very happy with Multiplicity. KeepSafe has saved my butt a number of times. I really want ThinkSync/ThinkMirror to work. I've avoided installing the MS SyncToy while waiting for the Suite to complete.

SecureProcess still seems very rough . . but I'm willing to wait and see.

For the record though . . . I paid for the beta for a few reasons:
1) To get some productivity toys to improve my work (especially with the TabletPC)
2) As an investment in a suite of products. An investment that I am expecting a return on. But I understand that soem investments don't pay out.
3) As a way to support Stardock as a company. I have emailed 5 or six employees at Stardock over the years and they are nice folks trying to do good work. I dig that.
4) I like the fact that once this suite gets released, I will be able to push it to friends and co-workers as a great product and be able to say *I* had a part of it. I deig that too.

It has been a while since there has been any significant action with the TD suite. If I were not a ODNT customer and reaping the benefits of that side of Stardock business I would be more . . . upset seems too strong . . . but I would be more upset by the lack of activity.

I believe in Stardock. {but I sure would love to Sync soon}

Posted via WinCustomize Browser/Stardock Central
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c242
Chubs39
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Reply #10 November 22, 2005 10:04:30 PM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums
Amazing - even with "all" their internal QA resources on Windowblinds they manage to release another version of Iconpackager...
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c242
scorpio-logic
Join Date 03/2005
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Reply #11 November 23, 2005 12:00:29 AM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums
free beta you could expect your customers to be very patient


I see differently in all the threads where someone has an issue, most have been demanding or frustrated to the point of losing their cool and cussing and threatening to cancel subs...etc. Just thought I would point that out. Me, I'm still waiting on a WindowFX that is happy with WB 5.

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c242
c242
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Reply #12 November 23, 2005 7:19:19 AM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums
scorpio-logic : That is as I see it often by the lack of official reaction or help. I personally would want more developer interaction in the support threads than there is now. And I often read that people ONLY get the automated answer via mail-support and that pretty much was it, which really frustrated them...
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c242
ZubaZ
Join Date 11/2001
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Reply #13 November 23, 2005 6:32:17 PM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums
And I often read that people ONLY get the automated answer via mail-support and that pretty much was it, which really frustrated them...


I've read on more than one occasion that the user did not reply to tthe automated email with the appropriate subject matter if the automated email did not help.

The new case management system may alleviate some of those issues . . .
https://www.stardock.helpserve.com/index.php
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c242
scorpio-logic
Join Date 03/2005
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Reply #14 November 23, 2005 6:42:39 PM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums
Very nice. I just tried to log in...no go.
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c242
scorpio-logic
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Reply #15 November 23, 2005 6:43:29 PM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums
That is as I see it often by the lack of official reaction or help


I think that Stardock needs more officials...?
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c242
liquidguru
Join Date 03/2004
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Reply #16 November 23, 2005 7:01:24 PM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums
Very nice. I just tried to log in...no go


i think you need to register first...your WC account is not valid on the support centre...

i notice that in the support centre there is not a category for RightClick

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c242
scorpio-logic
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Reply #17 November 23, 2005 7:20:35 PM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums
hmmmm...another password to memorize? Nah, I do fine here on the forums if I have questions.
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c242
ZubaZ
Join Date 11/2001
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Reply #18 November 23, 2005 8:00:29 PM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums
hmmmm...another password to memorize?


When I sent an email to support @ stardock the autoreply had the password in the URL.

Althouh I agree . . no t integrating with ODNT/WC/Thinkdesk/TotalGaming is a huge mistake.
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c242
c242
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Reply #19 November 24, 2005 3:11:25 AM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums
...
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c242
c242
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Reply #20 December 9, 2005 3:19:04 AM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums
So, when will we be acvtually able to sync some files ? It would be nice to see even only a try to get things right.
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c242
ZubaZ
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Reply #21 December 9, 2005 7:46:47 AM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums
Here's an idea, how about a monthly email newsletter to the beta users . . . telling us that the devs are still breathing.  Tell us what the problems are, successes.  Tell us how Brad is an ogre and won't let them work on ThinkDesk because he is all about the WindowBlinds eye-candy these days. Something, anything.
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c242
Frogboy
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Reply #22 December 14, 2005 4:08:48 PM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

ThinkDesk is not a suite like Object Desktop where we can toss little tiny updates on a daily basis.

Let's use ThinkSync (which will be rebranded ThinkMirror soon), we mess up on that and you could lose important data. 

We have been updating these internally but they have to go through some internal QA and even then people will likely have some serious bugs to go through.

Our goal with ThinkDesk is to release updates roughly every quarter.  The recent release of WindowBlinds 5 may disrupt things but we've got a lot coming up.

If you guys are willing to brave things, I can look at having some of the internal builds put up early.

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c242
ZubaZ
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Reply #23 December 14, 2005 4:17:48 PM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums
Sign me up Brad.

I think there are some core ThinkDesk users who felt abandoned, I know I did.

I believe in what you are doing and want to be supportive. . . but it's hard when all ther is is silence.

So, I'll test alphas and betas. What's the worse that can happen? I just need to backup more often, right?

But think about contacting the folks that paid to be beta testers . . drop us a line saying what the devs are doing. Most of us are probably ODNT users too and will understnd priorities (especialy ones that pay the bills and allow you to do stuff like ThinkDesk).

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c242
Frogboy
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Reply #24 December 14, 2005 11:35:12 PM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

I agree Zubaz.  We need to do status reports more.

Not that anyone is interested in hearing internal Stardock issues but this past Fall two of our game developers moved on to new jobs outside Stardock (game development doesn't pay super well compared to "regular" software development).  In a company as small as ours, this had a huge impact.  It has required me to work full-time on Galactic Civilizations II and normally I would be the one putting together status report and such. 

Combine that with the WindowBlinds 5 release and it's been real pain.  GalCiv II is scheduled to go gold in January and at that point things should start to move back to normal.

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c242
c242
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Reply #25 December 15, 2005 3:30:49 AM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums
Installed brandnew build from SDC :



Brad I really understand Your pain, but this is embarassing.
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