Bloated softwares

from Stardock Forums

Hi,

If a "BloatwareChamp" was existing, i am sure that Stardock should win an honorable mention.

I am a registered user of Deskscape.

a) First at all, you have demo available which can be downloaded without having to install bloatwares on my system.
    When i have purchased my Deskscape license, i have received a download link and i was happy.

    If i had to download your bloatware "Impulse" to try Deskscape,
    for sure, i never gave it a try... not purchased a license.

b) Now, in order to download Deskscape, i have to install the insane "Impulse".

    It's a nice try to force your customers to buy more softwares from Stardock.
    But... this is not honest and a bad business practice.

    May be for some, Impulse can be useful. But, certainly not for me.

    I am very critical about what i install on my system.
    When i decide to install Deskscape, i want only Deskscape.

    I do not agree to install a bloatware that give me a lot of informations about things i am really not interested.

    When it's time to promote your softwares, you offers demo which do not require bloatware installation.
    But... when a customer purchase a licence, you change the rules and begin to bother them.

    Finally, it's look like that purchasing a license from Stardock mean to get penalized.
    If Stardock is angry, it is not my problems.
    Just deliver me what i paid for, This is the basic rules of making good business.
    May be the BBB should be interested to know how Stardock change the rules to force sales.
    This is nothing else than pure harassments.

Why just not remain honest and deliver the products we paid for ? Like you promise before the purchase.

Best regards.
   

deskscapes
8,150 views 16 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top

Christ, not again.  Buy Deskscapes or not.  Get over it.  Impulse ain't going away.  You're welcome to uninstall it after you install Deskscapes to get rid of that bit of 'bloatware,' but if you want any future updates, you'll need it.  If that's not good enough for you, develop your own version of Deskscapes.

It's hysterical to call Impulse 'bloatware.'  When you think about it, what the hell is Deskscapes but 'bloatware?'  Do you need Deskscapes to accomplish any mission-critical function?  I don't think so.

Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I think it's ludicrous to use the phrase "force your customers."  Customers, by their very nature, hold the power on whether they choose to purchase/use/install software or not.  

You state that you are a registered user of Deskscape.  That means you already have the program on your computer--you got what you paid for.  You can choose to get complimentary updates to the product you bought, but in order to do that, you need Impulse.  The answer seems simple to me...if you don't want to install Impulse, then accept the product you purchased in its original form and stay a happy camper.  You don't HAVE to take advantage of complimentary updates.

Perhaps I misunderstand what it is you are unhappy about.  Impulse is free.  I don't seen how this means you are being forced into buying more software.

Anytime somebody posts one of these threads about their issues with Impulse being bloatware, I'm always suspicious that there is something on their computer they would prefer not communicate with the authors of the similar products.  Maybe I'm just cynical.

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Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

I think you've misunderstood. You don't have to "purchase a license" for Impulse. It uses the same account that you used to post in these forums, so you already have the license. All you have to do is download it and log in. No extra payment is needed. It's no different from Valve only letting people download Portal off of Steam.

Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Impulse is the new distribution platform for ALL of SD's software...if one has several apps, it is logical to run them thru Impuls which is also a browser of sorts for WC.

Did you objest to SDC? Then why object to Impulse?

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

Fern21: what makes Impulse Blaotware to you?  Is it the size or the extra features?  Is it the fact that you have to install anything at all?  Is the uninstall process too complicated?

Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Process to uninstall Impulse:

 

Uninstall.

 

Damn, I'm going to sue.  That hurt my pointer finger.

Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I prefer a software that is standalone, with it's own install/uninstall.. but, Impulse, or no Impulse, I don't care either way.:thumbsup:

It's more practical to use it :)

Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top

To All...

As i stated: May be for some, Impulse can be useful. But, certainly not for me.

So... Impulse lovers, stop yelling.

But also, i stated:
If i had to download your bloatware "Impulse" to try Deskscape,
for sure, i never gave it a try... nor purchased a license.

It's not me that have change the rules... It's Stardock.

I am saying that Impulse is bloatware because they try to force to install it in order to deliver me the product i paid for.

I am not interested at all of any of the content of Impulse.
But... Impulse force me to read the crap i am not intested into it.

If you like Impulse, i am happy for you.
If kids players like it, i am happy for them.

But... it is not a reason to not deliver me a Deskscape installer... the same as for WindowBlinds.

Yes, i know i can unsintall it.
But, i am very critical to the software i decide to install. It's my rights! No?

Why do you think they put Deskscape into Impulse ?
Why they not mention explicitely in their purchase page that the user will have to install Impulse to get the software?
It is just a bad marketing trick!
At least... for me :)

And finally, why i have to uninstall a software that i first not want?
I am not wrong! I just not want thing i never wanted on my system.
The only thing i am asking for, is to have to software i paid for.

Nothing less... nothing more.

If i have to install something i do not want to have... i can tell that bloat my system. Period!

Isn't more simple that let the user to choose?
I am not asking for a miracle, i just want the software i paid for, without being a victim of bad marketing strategies.

As far i am concerned, it is not an enhancement for me.

The only Stardock product i am using is Deskscape.
And yes, i am also registered for WindowBlinds... but it contain bugs and it seem that they can't fix them. So, i do not use it.

So... end of comments for me.
Do not worry, i will not die for 20 bucks, i can easily live without Deskscape.
It was just to tell that the practice is wrong... and every one know it.

Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Damn, I'm going to sue. That hurt my pointer finger
End of quote

Hilarious, Monkeyman.  ROFLMAO!!!

One thing Fern12. Do you not install windows update application in order to get windows updates? Yes, you do. How about windows genuine validation? Yes , you do. What's the difference? Use Impulse to get your software, and update it, and never run it afterwards, or as was stated above, uninstall it. I use Your Uninstaller 2008 and it gets the registry junk left behind by all apps. Add or Remove Programs by MS is trash. Anyway, Impulse is a great program and is not bloatware. BTW, you also have the option to just not buy Stardock products if you don't agree with their delivery system. Freedom of choice...ain't it great!

Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top

May be the BBB should be interested to know how Stardock change the rules to force sales.
This is nothing else than pure harassments
End of quote

No where within impulse are you forced to purchase anything. ( has never had guys in suits at my door making me buy stuff).

Nor do they withhold your purchased item until you purchase more software.

Impulse is the newest platform for downloading the software from SD, as SDC was for many years.

 

harassment:

1. to disturb persistently; torment, as with troubles or cares; bother continually; pester; persecute.
2. to trouble by repeated attacks, incursions, etc., as in war or hostilities; harry; raid.
   
By what you have posted, I see no grounds for harassment.

 

 

 
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Fern12 -

i am also registered for WindowBlinds... but it contain bugs and it seem that they can't fix them. So, i do not use it.
End of quote

Have you emailed support@stardock.com to try and resolve the issues you are having with WindowBlinds? If so, do you have a ticket number that they can check to see what has been tried so far?

If you have a problem with Impulse then please email support@stardock.com. These forums are mainly WC member forums and your complaints would be best settled officially with Stardock.

Noone is forcing you to install or not install any product.

 

Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Fern12, reply 8
To All...

Why do you think they put Deskscape into Impulse ?
Why they not mention explicitely in their purchase page that the user will have to install Impulse to get the software?
It is just a bad marketing trick!
At least... for me
End of Fern12's quote


Maybe they put Deskscape into Impulse to prevent pirating of software and to ensure no viruses/malware gets attached to their product.  

Reply #13 from JoeUser Forums Top

Do not worry, i will not die for 20 bucks, i can easily live without Deskscape.
End of quote

They'll give you your money back if you ask.  sales@stardock.com

Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top

They'll give you your money back if you ask. sales@stardock.com
End of quote

Stardock return policy -

Return/refunds are initiated through support@stardock.com .

Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Fern12....the Industry which is the online sale/distribution of software and games is undertaking progressive change.  There WAS a time once when most software and/or games one purchased/installed were delivered/distributed through retail outlets as 'hard copies'...[cds in a box].

These days more and more companies are utilizing the online distribution model as it has significant benefits, one of which is the speed/immediacy of updates/revisions, something which could often be clunky at best with the offline model.

To facilitate sensible handling of ALL facets of Stardock's software/games interests a centralized Installer/updater and information disseminator is both sensible and valid.

This is 'Impulse', and it won't be going away anytime soon. [at all].

As I mentioned elsewhere in a similar thread, it 'may' appear overkill if/when an individual has a solitary interest in one software...but if [as is the case with most SD customers] he were to be interested/using several...AND required information/updates on them all...Impulse comes into its own.

Reply #16 from JoeUser Forums Top

Thanks for the clarification, Hankers.