But iVan, that's a choice you are making. You have been told multiple times that Impulse is replacing SDC, yet you refuse it.

I fail to see how it is SD's responsibility to spoon-feed you updates on a program that is being phased out. If you want to get any updates as they come out, get Impulse. If you don't want Impulse, then suck it up and quit bitching about what you can't have.

While Impulse is still in beta people should be give a choice where they get their updates from. Something like that is common sense. Impulse isn't working 100% yet so why take the risk and offer something that is supposed to fix problems through something that we know has problems. If SCD is being phased out then fine but until it's completely out of the picture then offer the same stuff through it as you would through Impulse.

From what I have read, most of the problems with Impulse come during installation, not updating of installed software. I had problems installing, but have not had a single problems with updates.

Once again:

It doesn't matter where the problems come from, as long as there are problems. Getting Impulse won't solve the problems and there are wider issues on debate here. Not to mention that nobody seems to be able to provide a changelog for this alpha. Why would I want to update if I know it won't solve the problems I'm having?

One's life is all about choices.

SDC and Impulse use two different systems to put items out... also doing so messes with the version numbers. That is probably ONE of the reasons that it's going to impulse. You shouldn't just assume that we (or any other company) can do things in "tandem" with "no issues" when you do not know how our systems work. We would want more people to use Impulse to get their updates so that 1. Impulse is getting hit like it should be, thus allowing us to know more about bugs, stresses, etc. 2. It makes it much easier to phase out. If you are unable to get an update, product, etc through impulse, then contact support. They are more than willing to help someone who can't get an update that is due to them (when we have it available).

Hopefully with this post, we can drop this issue now?

Point number 1 that jpkylegirl just illustrates what I'be been thinking all along: exploiting the need for people to have an update to enlarge your...ahem, audience of the product. Is it out of the beta yet? No, it is not. So when will it be out of the beta? Having read comments on respective forum section here and on WC, I'm not feeling too optimistic about it. However, when it's out of beta then there's a good chance of me giving it a go. Considering that I am still able to get the latest beta through SDC, I don't see a reason why I shouldn't be able to get the alpha through the same channel as well.

Furthermore, any chance of a changelog for this alpha? Are there any ideas about plans of releasing the next stable build of OD+? What sort of pricing structure to upgrade to 2.0 (when it comes out) should we expect? Which current bugs in OD+ are given more priority?

Hopefully, I'll be able to get some positive answers to those questions, which will make me sleep much better at night

My point was not THE REASON why it's not happening.  THE REASON is that it's management decision.  My point was to illustrate that if more people use Impulse, then we're able to catch more bugs, more stresses on the db (if any), certain products not installing properly, etc.  If you don't want to use Impulse, that's your choice, but it's also your choice to not get the Alpha.  I explained that SDC and Impulse use 2 different systems.  As Karmagirl said, it's not going on SDC, not gonna happen.  Notice you're the only one going about it?  All the beating down on something could be put to better use in TRYING Impulse, and giving us feed back on that.  Again, if you don't want to use our means of distribution, then you don't use the alpha.  Who knows, you may like Impulse way better than SDC.  I know... what a shocker!!

Please answer the questions I've asked or give reasons why you are unable or unwilling to answer them.

It's rather ironic that the "more people = more bugs fixed" wasn't applied to OD+. It doesn't take 2 brain cells to work out that the more betas and fixes are released the more they can be tested and more bugs can be uncovered and reported. There's no way you can deny that.

So what if I'm the only one going on about it? Does it make it wrong in any way? If memory serves right that about 40 years ago in the States a certain man was just about the only one going on about stuff, but that didn't stop him.

I'm sorry, I won't try Impulse until it's out of beta. Impulse has problems period and I'm sure that alpha has problems otherwise it won't be called alpha. So two wrongs won't make it a right.

They don't have to.  They may not want to.

Unless you use it, you won't know.  most people don't have any issues.  And again  . .if you don't want to use betas or alphas . . that's your choice . . you just don't get the possible benefits.

/me can't believe this same conversation has gone on so long.  Stardock shows amazing customer service just by letting you keep going on treating them badly in forums they sponsor.

If you are unwilling to use Impulse as it's a beta, why are you complaining so strongly to get an ALPHA patch? 

He makes my ridges hurt.

See that bright glowing orb in the sky? It's the sun. Go outside. Enjoy life.

plus
XP
pine coladas and long talks about my feelings

    

I'm glad that you put those sentences in the order you did. This leaves me nothing but to speculate that Stardock don't want people aka their own customers to know the answers. This says a lot for a proactive and we-look-after-our-customers company that it supposedly is. Just highlights what I've been saying for quite some time: lack of information. Here's their chance to quench the thirst for it and they blew it.



I'm afraid I'm not prepared to play that kind of Russian roulette. And what benefits? Being told by a guy in support that it's been passed on to developers and if I want it working properly I need to revert to stable build? Oh, damn, there is no stable build of Impulse yet.



I'm not treating them badly. I'm speaking about what I feel and telling the truth, and a bitter truth is better than a sweet lie. At least Stardock is getting more feedback from me than I ever got from Stardock.



I'm complaining because to get that alpha patch I need to use an unstable product. I didn't pay for Impulse. For all I care it can curl up and die, but I did pay for OD+ so that's why I'm demanding more attention be paid to it, because lately it has been very much discriminated against.



Not right now, I don't. It's cloudy, but I will enjoy life this weekend, thanks.

iVAN....the less subtle have posted gifs [images] of people flogging expired horses.

Those still willing to make your monologue appear a dialogue are dropping by the wayside in droves.

Here is a logical reason for distributing a new Alpha/Beta/whatever release via the intended replacement to SDC and NOT by SDC itself..... those who are willing to trial the new 'Impulse' may also just be the people Stardock would prefer to be also testing this alpha/beta/whatever ver of ObjectDock.

It is just possible that the release was NOT also on SDC because it was seen to be preferable to NOT widely release the OD alpha/beta/whatever [assuming it IS correct that SDC would deliver to a larger base].

In the past Stardock has not always released 'everything' to 'everyone', preferring instead to [for example] release to those actively working with [skinning] the proggy..... as 'educated' [experienced] feedback is/can be more valuable/relevant.

Now, like good old Microsoft [and any other software company you care to mention] the customer purchases a product with a reasonable expectation that it will perform its intended function.  If a system glitch is found it is 'common' for there to be revisions/bug-fixes.

However.

This is NOT in perpetuity.  There WILL be a limit.  [Win98 ended....XP ends soon...]

If, along the way, the delivery system for such revisions is changed [like no downloads, only CD purchases - I remember one like that, and no, not Stardock], and the customer chooses NOT to partake of/accept the changed methodology then that is HIS decision and his alone.

End of story.

If you PERSONALLY  absolutely MUST have this update only accessible via a different delivery method then you know what you are obliged to do.

No amount of didactic verbiosity and repetition is going to change anything, other than the willingness of people to respond.

Impulse is new, yes...but it does not slaughter your sleeping children, nor does it kill computers, AND it is quite comfortable co-existing with Stardock Central.  I myself currently have both running.

If all this appears criminally unjust well it'd be my suggestion to simply 'suck it up' as one of life's minor disappointments.  It is an absolute certainty it will not be the worst....or the last.....of that I can guarantee you.

Time to move on....;)

I love Jafo's extensive knowledge of the English language! Didactic verbiosity? I wonder how many readers are going to have to look those up... Jafo, you're awesome bud.  

Uh... I GAVE you one reason... that Impulse and SDC are 2 different systems.  The way items gets published, 2 different  things.  That when you publish something on SDC and then publish it on Impulse you mess with version numbers, which then confuses the user.  Enough said.  I have to agree with Zoomba... if you don't want to TRY a Beta of Impulse, then why do you care about getting an Alpha patch.  Again you PAID for a product 2 YEARS ago.  It WORKED 2 YEARS ago.  Times change, drivers change, service packs change.  You are NOT entitled to any updates to OD+.  Karmagirl has told you that (and she's the topdog around here... or one of them anyway. ).  I.e. we didn't HAVE to give the Alpha patch.  We just are, because Brad and Stardock are just nice that way.  If you don't want to use it through a medium we are giving it out on... your choice.  However it's Stardock's choice HOW they distribute a product.

What question are we avoiding.  We've given you answers... several times over.    I'll just re-state what Karma said.  You paid for a working product 2 YEARS ago.  You got what worked, and we are not obligated to provide you with updates.  If you bought a car (no warranties come with it), and it starts acting up 2 years later, do you DEMAND that you get updates done to make it  work better?  I think not.

I personally feel for as many products we put out, as many things we had to make "Vista ready" this past year, that Stardock's software team is doing a great job.  Jeff works very hard on the products he works on, and he can only do so much.  We do have to let him sleep and eat.  Something about unfair labor laws.  Silly stuff like that. 



You're comparing a political movement against not getting the "updates" you WANT to a software product?

You can't and shouldn't assume that. It's because you're denying people the choice to have one without the other. How about just a simple download link here so I can download the alpha without having to get Impulse? Piece of cake if you ask me.



There's a contradiction right there. First a member of Stardock says that "We want more people to use Impulse to get their updates so that 1. Impulse is getting hit like it should be, thus allowing us to know more about bugs, stresses, etc". However, you're saying that it's not meant to be widely released. It's either one or the other, make your mind up.



Considering that there's nothing in OD+ license that indicates the timescales of how long the license is valid for or for how long the updates will be released then it's unreasonable for a customer to assume that any kind of limits exist.



However, if the downloads method works just fine and the fleet of carrier pigeons that would deliver those CD purchases sometimes would either get lost or have any other kind of problems then a customer has every right to feel enraged about the delivery methodology. It's at that point the company has to negotiate the alternatives because for some people it's just not working.



First of all, it's only coexisting with SDC because Impulse is currently in beta stage. And let's not go down the road of "since everything is ok for me then things must be ok for everyone else", shall we? You know as well as I do that you can't generalize like that. Considering that SDC is not completely cut off then why not add something new to it? Considering that you still offer people to buy your products on CDs, I'm surprised that you don't show them the finger, offer only the downloads and when they complain tell them to suck it up, huh? Go on, I dare you!

Once again, I must remind you to answer those questions please. People from Stardock are continuously avoiding them for some unknown to me reason.

I SAID in the following post...



Again, it's not THE REASON... I was illustrating a point.

Again... you did NOT buy a license. You bought a product.

I think I'm going to shut up now... I'm beating my head against a tree.

Then why have SDC running at all? Why not just switch it off, move on to Impulse and tell everyone who'll complain about it to suck it up?



I've explained in my earlier message why I care about the alpha patch. I AM entitled to updates to OD+ if I have problems with my product and it's not working 100%, which is the case. It's my right as a customer to have a product that works 100%. There are no time limitations set out in OD+ license so your reference to "2 years ago" is completely unjustified.



Don't make it sound like you did me or anyone a favour. The alpha provides fixes to try to make sure that the product works 100%, that's your obligation to every one of your customers.



Here they are...again:
Furthermore, any chance of a changelog for this alpha? Are there any ideas about plans of releasing the next stable build of OD+? What sort of pricing structure to upgrade to 2.0 (when it comes out) should we expect? Which current bugs in OD+ are given more priority?



I think yes. If the car is acting up due to a manufacturing error that was there upon the point of manufacturing and/or got aggravated over the period of those 2 years then I'd have every right to complain.



I wasn't criticising that. What I was criticising was that in the past year you've been giving unjustifiably more attention to some products more than others. And considering that people pay the same price for those products, then some people are getting better value for money than others. There are no excuses for making people feel left out like that.

Seriously, make your mind up. Because in reply #69 of this thread KarmaGirl said this

can someone please scratch this record, It's getting boring listening to it again and again

Then close your eyes and put cotton buds in your ears. You don't have to listen to it, it's not compulsory.