My previous post was in regards to my machine at work. The exact same thing happened now on my home machine (worked fine until very recently.) The two machines are vastly different regarding the OS: one's on XP x32 SP2 and the other is Vista Ultimate x64. The one thing in common (other than the version of OD+): they both have NVIDIA video cards. So you might be on to something, H4ckJack; however the Windows key workaround did not seem to clear the OD+ problem for me.

It used to work on this (my home) machine/setup and somewhere along the way it stopped working.

OD+ v1.90 Build 537u (beta release)
Vista Ultimate x64
NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT OC (also running dual monitors - these are CRT, though)
NVIDIA drivers 7.15.11.6375 (10/4/2007)
No other skinning software (except CursorXP), using all in-the-box docklets and skins

UPDATE: As if by magic, rebooting fixed the problem on this machine. (Rebooting doesn't help any for my previous report on the XP-SP2 machine.) I'm going to keep this post here, though, since it was exhibiting the behavior, at least temporarily.

Works fine.

I run objectdock at work and home primarily so that I can access my start menu and other programs directly on my secondary monitor. At home it works perfectly I have an older Dell laptop running an ATI card and Windows XP Home.

At work I have two issues:
- I get the above mentioned errors often when launching the start menu docket
- When the start menu does appear it shows up in the bottom left corner of the primary monitor (in the standard location) instead of dropping down from the objectdock start menu icon (which I have located top center of the secondary monitor).

Specs: Dell Dimension DXP061; Windows XP Pro; NVidia GeForce8600 GTS; Intel Core2 Quad @2.4Ghz

Though this is a little off topic a REALLY useful FEATURE would be that when using objectdock located on a secondary display that programs launched from it would default onto the secondary display. Including those launched from the objectdock start menu.

As a software developer I rely heavily on my secondary monitor especially when working from home; where I have remote desktop on my primary screen(external monitor) and my laptop panel acting as secondary. There really is a lack of tools to support working on secondary screens I hate moving windows back and forth all the time and having to disrupt work on my primary screen to launch things to move over to the secondary. If objectdock provided a solid solution for those types of problems I would buy the Pro version in a second.

Thanks guys.

I just wanted to update everyone that I am collecting this info still.

Many people have fixed this issue by rolling back to the last build. Do this by unchecking the "show pre-release" button at the bottom of the screen and updating the software. I don't know what the time line is on the next update but I am greatful to all that are helping us out with this beta.

I am facing the same problems with the Start menu.

XP Pro SP2
Intel GMA 965 Mobile(X3100)
Object Dock Plus 1.90 build 535u.

Yet you won't say why the alpha isn't available through SD Central. Until Impulse completely replaces SD Central, please also add the alpha/beta etc updates there too.

I'm afraid it's not their call. We buy the software = we sign their paychecks. I won't ask for them to put it on a DVD and mail it to me though. The SD Central is a widely-distributed tool with many more users than Impulse is at the moment. Therefore, it makes no sense not to make it available through SD Central as well. I'm not asking, I'm not suggesting, I'm demanding, because I don't see why it should be up to Stardock to tell me how to get the updates, especially considering that I already have SD Central installed.

Seabass, you see that's the problem: lack of information. You don't know why they are distributing it that way and nobody from Stardock who knows is able or willing to shed some light on the matter. Just leaves us to speculate that it's probably because Stardock is trying to entice us to buy/extend Object Desktop. You say that "many new releases, updates, and publishings are taking place" are made, but herein lies a problem. Those updates are stable releases or significant upgrades and Object Dock seems to be missing out time and time again compared to other Stardock products. You say that those transitions are up to the head of the company, but I counter that by asking: do they not get our feedback and use their common sense and use the most widely-deployed platform to distribute those updates?

You say that the update you're suggesting is completely voluntary but I beg to differ. The way you put it sounds like we are being done a favour by Stardock to release this alpha and that's not the right. In fact, it's mandatory and the product has been left out long enough. I'm afraid the excuse along the lines of "they do not work on Object Dock alone" can't be used any more because it's been almost a year since a stable update has been published. Considering it's taken them 5-6 months to jump from 1.5 to 1.9 then it makes it even more puzzling. It seems then they worked on Object Dock alone to make that jump possible but they don't work on Object Dock alone any more. How can you explain that? Just show that Object Dock has been left out of the mainstream of updates for some unknown to me reason. Suggesting going back to a last full release is no good either because how would that help me discover more bugs for Stardock to fix? That's right, it wouldn't.

Considering RocketDock doesn't have time stamps on their changelog, I couldn't compare their product to Stardock's. However, as I've stated in my previous paragraph, I've compared the frequency of how often Stardock updates their software and, in comparison, ObjectDock is left out. WindowBlinds had MANY MORE updates in the past calendar year and they are already on 6.2 beta if I'm not mistaken. How do you explain that? What effort is Stardock making to live up to reputation it's created and now letting the expectations down?

I can tell you what you can do for me, since you're offering. Ask one of ObjectDock developers (Jeff B would be great) to come here onto the forum and say in plain English what is the status, why the hold-ups, why taking so long in comparison and stuff like that. Fill this void of information that's getting wider every day. Furthermore, how is not releasing stable updates for your own software for almost a year equals caring for your customers? It doesn't no matter how you look at it. Of all the software that I have installed on my machine, both freeware and paid-for, there isn't a single bit of software, apart from ObjectDock, that hasn't received a stable update in the past 12 months. What does that tell you? What it tells me is that people whom I don't pay to develop and maintain software are still willing to do so and do it more often than one of the companies whom I did pay for their software. It's just not good enough, in fact, it's disgraceful.

One pays for a released product.  Not alpha or beta.  That's what you bought.  Anything else is extra.
If it doesn't work . . ask for a refund and be done with it.  No need to demand, no need to threaten.  Express yourself with your wallet and move on.

You have traded cash for product (and some services).  If you don't like it . . discuss with sales what value you have gotten and what product you have received and try to find what you really deserve.

This is a private matter and shouldn't be addressed in a public setting.

 

No, you buy a LICENSE to the software = you have the right to use what you purchased.  That is the only right you have.

 

No, OD+ is like any other standalone product - you pay for the released version at the point of purchase.

That's comparing apples to oranges. ObjectDock+ is not part of Object Desktop.  It's not a subscription.  There is no promise of updates or new features.  When you buy it- you bought the released version that is available on the day that you purchased it.

The problem is that we tend to give updates (not just bug fixes) away for free.  In Object Desktop, that is a benefit of Object Desktop.  However, Object Dock is not part of the subscription.  Therefore, what we really should do is quit releasing alphas and only release bug fixes like other companies do.  Then we will hold everything for the next version...which is also the software norm.  Would that be better?

Also, just because there are not releases does not mean that the product is not being worked on.  You see more releases on Object Desktop because that's the whole point of the subscription.  However, NONE of our license agreements claim that every product will be updated frequently or even yearly.  All we claim is that you get updates, when available, during your subscription.  Standalone products don't even have that. 

 

Impulse is replacing Stardock Central VERY soon.  With that, releases will be made on it going forward.  People will need to start using the new system to get updates.  We're not going to keep two systems running in tandem.  This is no different than when we merged OD Component Manager and Drengin Network into what is now SDC.  We phased those delivery systems out just as SDC will be phased out.

I am not quite sure where you think that you have the right to demand how we provide updates or what our delivery mechanism will be.  It's fine if you don't like it.  You have the right not to use it, and you also have the right not to buy anything from us again.  The ~$20 that you spent almost 2 years ago does not give you any rights that you "demand".

 

If it didn't work properly for you 2 years ago, then you should have requested a refund.  However, we have no guarantee that a product that you purchased 2 years ago will continue to work with current updates to OSes and drivers.

WindowBlinds has had a lot more versions to it than ObjectDock.  Part of it is due to it not being Vista compatible without it.  WB is also a very driver sensitive product.  It's a totally different product.  And, yes, you are comparing apples to oranges- you compared a standalone product to a anti-virus subscription. 

You don't actually buy much software, do you?  I have Photoshop.  I paid hundreds of dollars for it.  They have never given me access to betas of it for free.  They let me try out some new features on a time limited basis.  And, they don't really do many bug fixes, if any.  When a new version comes out, I have to pay hundreds of dollars more to get the update.  And you know what?  That's normal.  You ave a $20 product.  We put out fixes and updates for free when they are available.  It's more than most companies do. 

Again, it doesn't have to make sense to you why we do things. Impulse is replacing SDC, and we will not be updating SDC as we transition.   You have the right not to use it, and you also have the right not to buy anything from us again.  We are more proactive with our customers than most companies are.  If that is not enough for you, then there is simply no solution to your complaints.

 

Yes, I do work for Stardock- I am the VP of Operations.  Stardock does license it- but Stardock has to pay for it.  Somebody pays for the software, why would it matter who it is?  I still only get a few meager updates during it's version.

You paid $20 TWO years ago.  You say that it was value for your money TWO years ago.  And, somehow it has decreased i value because we didn't provide updates that you assume that you are entitled to?

I say that it's not the best idea to publicly state that you remove protection form DVDs and HD media since it's, well, illegal.

Support can't give you a new version if one doesn't exist.  They do pass it on to developers so that they can compile a feature list for the next update.  That's about all that can be done.  You have a 2 year old product that you are complaining about us not providing you an alpha on the delivery system that you prefer.  The alpha is there, yet you are complaining because it is not being delivered in the form you want it in.  There is nothing else that can be said.  If you want an update, then you need to get it through the delivery system that we are offering.  If you don't want to do that, then don't.  However, don't complain about not getting updates when one is available just because you have decided that we should provide it in a different form.

I'm not Stardock support.  But I do believe that you are entitled to have software that works as designed.  I do not set timelines though and I do not believe that demanding service is the way to go.

I think users have a right to and should report bugs.  I think software companies should try to fix them.  If they do not do so in a timely manner, users should not support that product or service or company.  I believe that the user should make sure that the company is aware why support is ending.  I think at that point a discussion might occur between the two to determine if any compensation is due.  After that  . . . the subject is closed.

As far as your complaint about delivery system of alpha or beta or any other software . . . that's not your call.  Stardock delivered your product to you when you bought it.  They now want to deliver newer (optional) versions through a new system.  You can choose to get those or not.

I don't how you can be complaining about a free, optional, upgrade.  You don't like the delivery method . . you can choose not to use it.  Then complain to yourself for making that choice.