Fences and Internet Explorer 7

from Stardock Forums

Hi,

I've been a user of fences for quite a long time and I've always been really happy with it. I've even got quite a few people to use it, but now I'm having a problem that is annoying me quite a bit: 

Basically I've just downloaded the new beta version (the one supposed to expire on November 09) and tried to install it..., but it doesn't let me install it because it says it requires Internet Explorer 7 or above! WHY!!???? I have never liked internet explorer and I stopped downloading its updates aaages ago. Why this discrimination of people who don't like a specific software? Is there a way around it?

Thanks

5,905 views 25 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

Interestingly enough, it's not on the system requirements page so this looks fishy. IE engine is probably used for rendering stuff, but not 100% on that...

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

I agree.  We love the product Fences.  I use Firefox exclusively; why would IE7 be a requirement?  I just sent a note to Stardock and look forward to their explanation.

Also, why does this revised beta have an expiration of less than two months from now on November 1st?  Why not just allow it to remain live until the next update.  This expiration thing is a really bad way to do business.

Multiplicity - Control multiple PCs using one keyboard and mouse
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

Same deal here. Basically this is fucking annoying, I'm not going to install IE just to get Fences. Drop the stupid IE requirement.

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting sunrock17, reply 2
Also, why does this revised beta have an expiration of less than two months from now on November 1st?  Why not just allow it to remain live until the next update.  This expiration thing is a really bad way to do business.
End of sunrock17's quote
I am curious about the kind of business that you're referring to considering that this community preview is a beta and is free.

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

Yeah, I'm pissed off too. Fences is a great sofware. My old version expired and I can't install the newer one, cause i can't install IE7. What should I do now? Is there a solution to install Fences without IE7?

Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top

 

This kind of blows... My IT department doesn't ALLOW us to install anything beyond IE 6... 

Is there any kind of work-around that we can use? Can we download the DLL and put it where windows can find it?

Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top

The IE 7 requirement is because they bundled Impule as the installer package with Fences, not from Fences itself.

Not sure why they are forcing us to use Impulse for freeware. Hopefully they will repackage Fences for the single download users who don't want other the other StarDock software.

Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top

The nag screen is coming from Fences.exe ... I copied that from a computer I was able to update and it seems to be working ok now.

Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting sraasch, reply 6
 

This kind of blows... My IT department doesn't ALLOW us to install anything beyond IE 6... 

Is there any kind of work-around that we can use? Can we download the DLL and put it where windows can find it?
End of sraasch's quote

If your IT department is like that then how do you think they'd feel if you installed Fences. It's not a business-critical application. So if you can't get it to run in your environment then bite the bullet.

Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting inc0gnito, reply 9

Quoting sraasch, reply 6 

This kind of blows... My IT department doesn't ALLOW us to install anything beyond IE 6... 

Is there any kind of work-around that we can use? Can we download the DLL and put it where windows can find it?
If your IT department is like that then how do you think they'd feel if you installed Fences. It's not a business-critical application. So if you can't get it to run in your environment then bite the bullet.
End of inc0gnito's quote

 

Sure... except that they trust ME to do what's best for my productivity. IE7 is apparently not compatible with some of our web-apps (no, I don't know why), so we're sticking with IE6 for now.

So my question remains: Is there a work-around or hack?

 

Reply #11 from Stardock Forums Top

"I am curious about the kind of business that you're referring to considering that this community preview is a beta and is free."

 

...the type of business that:  1. is developing this program in obvious anticipation of enjoying a profit center at some moment in the future, to wit:  2. earn fees from the professional r enterprise version.   That type of "business" ... hence, it's not a good practice to put out such a good product in beta and alienate future customers with the expiration nonsense and the IE7 nonsense.

Reply #12 from Stardock Forums Top
Quoting sraasch, reply 10

Sure... except that they trust ME to do what's best for my productivity. IE7 is apparently not compatible with some of our web-apps (no, I don't know why), so we're sticking with IE6 for now.

End of sraasch's quote

So why don't you get them to give you admin priviledges on your machine and you'll be able to install IE7. Fences is unecessary luxury as far as productivity is concerned. I'd run its T&Cs past your legal dept before installing it as well.

Quoting sunrock17, reply 11

...the type of business that:  1. is developing this program in obvious anticipation of enjoying a profit center at some moment in the future, to wit:  2. earn fees from the professional r enterprise version.   That type of "business" ... hence, it's not a good practice to put out such a good product in beta and alienate future customers with the expiration nonsense and the IE7 nonsense.

End of sunrock17's quote

If a product is in beta there are no warranties and there should not be any expectations. Microsoft released Windows 7 for people to try out, but some time next year their RC will expire. Be grateful that SD made Fences, don't complain that they put an expiration date on it. What's the big deal about it anyway? However, I do agree that needing IE7 is a bad move, but simply because it's not mentioned in the system requirement section. If it was then it's fair game.

Reply #13 from Stardock Forums Top

Impulse, which is bundled with the Fences installer, requires IE7.  The system requirements for this application have been updated to reflect this.  Simply put: if you do not have the ability to install IE7 because of restrictions placed by your IT department, then you most likely should also not be installing applications like Fences on a company system.

Reply #14 from Stardock Forums Top

Shirley,

 

   No, the requirements have NOT been updated...

 

   When I visit www.stardock.com/products/fences/index.asp in the requirements box it says:

System Requirements
●
Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7
●
On Vista and Windows 7, both 32bit
and 64bit versions are supported.
●
Impulse must be installed in order to
download and update software.
__________

>Maybe after the Impulse link they could add 'Impulse requires IE7 or later' so we lazy users don't have to click the Impulse link, something we don't think about clicking because what we want to know about is 'fences.'



So, maybe you (Shirley and anyone else who thought the requirements were clear about IE7+ should examine the product description page, and the Stardock Corp webmaster should update the requirements box there. (soon)

To everyone else, I am deciding to install IE7 in a Virtual Machine, install Fences, copy the files over to the host side, register the appropriate dll's and just consider Stardock's programmers unable to accomodate our reasonable request for a standalone installer like the previous versions used because they have been told not to accomodate us users of Firefox/Mozilla/Opera/etc....

The process is described in another thread here: https://forums.stardock.com/362739

Why not?  I am assuming here, but I think correctly, that Impulse most likely reports back to Stardock Corp. about our users of their Beta software, which is not in itself a bad thing.. it can help them to make the software better, maybe.

I was happy with v0.96.1583 Beta (it's still running on my laptop now, though has a reduced functionality warning that is displayed with each reboot (something that doesn't bother me)

I did not need IE6, 7, or 8 to install it, manage it, or uninstall it....

To require Impulse, and hence IE7+, can only be to add call home /reporting functionality or maybe they want to use it to allow users to "buy" the upcomming Pro version. (Again, for myself I don't require any additional features, and I don't want other features either)

So, there's two reasons for Impulse... the third being anti-piracy, which I can also understand.

I can also tell you all this... if Stardock Corp doesn't do something to elliminate the IE7+ requirement I will either use virtual desktops like Linuxes use or find another solution, maybe not as elegant, but solutions do exsist.

I can see by all of the negative postings regarding Impulse and IE7+ as requirements that the situation is important enough to consider seriously by those in charge of the packaging of Fences.

I told a support tech named Matt that I have purchased and use Object Dock, because I do, and that I would purchase Fences when it is for sale and if IE7 is not required.

I have been a HAPPY Stardock customer up til this point, but forcing my installation of software that is unrelated and unwated is not a way to keep me as a customer, period.

So, to close, 1,000 KUDOS to Stardock for Fences.... and -837 Kudos for now requiring IE7/Impulse.

I really do hope someone can correct this hurdle to a more widespread adoption of another fine Stardock Corp. product.

Best regards,
Aaron
Reply #15 from Stardock Forums Top

What is the difference between:

  • Having IE6 and not using it
  • Having IE7 and not using it

Answer: none.

If people don't understand this concept then perhaps they should let someone who knows more about computers install their software for them.

At any rate, Fences is free. Use the free product under its terms and conditions, or walk away.

Reply #16 from Stardock Forums Top

 

Can we set aside the non-productive arguments about IE6 vs. IE7, who should be allowed to install what, and the like?

The (perfectly legitimate) question remains: For those of us who are not able to install IE7 or IE8, is there a work-around (copying a DLL or some such thing) that will allow us to install fences?

Thanks,

-Steve

Reply #17 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting Fuzzy, reply 15
What is the difference between:


Having IE6 and not using it
Having IE7 and not using it

Answer: none.

If people don't understand this concept then perhaps they should let someone who knows more about computers install their software for them.

End of Fuzzy's quote

 

Exactly.  In fact there is a BIG difference.  Your computer is more secure.  I hate IE as much as the next guy and never use it but I sure as heck make sure I have the latest IE version and all updates since it makes windows more secure.

If you refuse to install IE 7 or 8 just because you don't want to use IE, frankly you're an idiot and shouldn't be installing software or using a computer.

And if you're in a corporate environment that is still on IE6 due to applications then frankly you are probably not allowed to be installing things like Impulse and Fences anyway.  Take it up with your IT department.

Reply #18 from Stardock Forums Top

Fences requires Impulse.  Impulse requires IE7 (at least the version bundled with fences at this time).  Therefor, Fences requires IE7.

Reply #19 from Stardock Forums Top

It's sad to say, but I'm going to soon look for a cracked version of Fences beta already. Fences beta was working great for me and I liked it a lot before this whole Impulse + IE7 issue happened.

If it's not out there, I hope someone makes one. Why would Stardock care. It's FREE and they could care less about their users for free software. O:)

Reply #20 from Stardock Forums Top

How  can you get a crack for something that's free??? How stupid can you get!

I'm amazed some of these people actually find their way on to the internet, duh!

Reply #21 from Stardock Forums Top

Well, a crack can remove the expiration and the expired popup. Just because it's free doesn't mean you can't alter it.

If I could use the (pre-impulse) beta without the annoying popup, I would. Think before speaking. Stupid.

Reply #22 from Stardock Forums Top

I like Fences.

I hate IE (6,7 or 8)..  If I could really uninstall it I would (removing it through add/remove programs doesn't really get rid of it).  I view IE as a major security hole in Windows regardless of what version.  A program I never use yet have to download so many security updates for.

 

If you want your software to include Windows XP compatibility make Impulse work with IE6.

 

Honestly the best software updater is Filehippo.  I don't want to be badgered about some new software SD, or anyone else has.

 

Fuzzy Logic, your name is perfect for you.  Your so blinded by your fanboyism that your logic is pretty fuzzy.

 

BTW, I will probably have to look at Impulse to see how annoying or useful it is.  If it's annoying at all then I probably won't use Fences, and recommend to people to avoid SD products like the plague.

Reply #23 from Stardock Forums Top

Impulse doesn't look that bad.  Problem is it will never see the light of day on my corp. PC which is where I want Fences the most.

 

If there was an Impulse light that just did updating, or more work environment friendly then maybe I could see this on my PC.

 

Fences and other desktop mods shouldn't be so tied into a gaming distribution platform.  You're pretty much alienating anyone who wants to use your software in a corp environment.

 

Best solution is to allow desktop mods to be stand alone software, but if you use Impulse then it will take care of the updates for you.

Reply #24 from Stardock Forums Top

Insults and misdirected rage are the sure signs of an argument lost ;)

As a matter of interest, Stardock are working on a version of Impulse which will install without IE7. There will be a warning about web functionality, but if you are only installing software that shouldn't matter.

Fences and other desktop mods shouldn't be so tied into a gaming distribution platform
End of quote

The desktop mods in Impulse, and it's predecessor Stardock Central, came first, games were added later. So in fact Impulse is a software distribution platform not a games distribution platform. If you had been around Stardock ten years like me, you would have seen this developmant take place.

Looking at my install of Impulse I have 53 items under My Software, and 3 under Games. I could not manage those files without Impulse.

Reply #25 from Stardock Forums Top

Stardock Central may have been something else (I never used it) but Impulse is a digital distribution and multiplayer platform like Steam.  Just by googleing Impulse and looking at any image of it, I think of something similar to Steam.  It's not corp. friendly, and any companies IT staff will definitely not allow that type of software to grace it's presence on their network.

 

Even if I go to Wikipedia to see what Impulse is the first sentance is "is a digital distribution and multiplayer platform".

 

I'm not saying Impulse is bad software.  I'm just saying that those of us that like to use such programs at work/corporate environmant are S.O.L. because desktop mod apps are tied into Impulse.  You can hype up how awesome Impulse is all you want and brag about how many items you have but what does that have to do with what I am talking about.

 

I stand by the personal comments I have made.