Why do we have to have this Impulse thing being bundled with Fences

Philly0381

Join Date 11/2004

+844

Impulse is the digital download installer that replaced Stardock Central (SDC)

If you want to download and use Fences I don't believe there is a stand alone version. I could be wrong about that. Lets wait and see if a Stardock rep answers.

Here's a link that will explain what Impulse is and does. http://www.impulsedriven.com/about.aspx

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Lantec

Join Date 07/2003

+346

Can we not just have a normal standalone installer

Such as....?

Some software uses Installsheild.....check you computer...I'd just about gaurantee that you have Installsheild on it....why don't they just use a standalone installer?

Impulse is the Stardock installation/update program for it's products. Stardock maintains ALL their programs with their ONE installer....

Fences is free and people still complain.......

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Fences is free and people still complain.......

What they're complaining about is also needing Impulse and IE7.

A beta is all about getting as many people as possible to use it so as to provide invaluable feedback to the developers. Potentially forcing installation of other fluff on helpful users is not a good way to achieve that.

I'm happy to install and trial the beta and provide feedback, but not at the expense of also adding 1 or 2 other products of dubious benefit.

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I LOVE FENCES!! I would buy Fences now if it didn't come with Impulse "state of the art digital distribution platform". What a mess! Let's not even talk about NET Framework and all the mess I just went through.

I finally installed Fences beta 99 using Impulse, disabled Impulse and used Revo Uninstaller to completely remove Impulse. Fences still works fine.

Please when it's time for the retail version of Fences consider selling it as a standalone product. Not a problem with including it with Impulse but give us a choice. I don't play games and I don't need all the extra crap that comes with Impulse!

I'm sure there was a Marketing person involved in this somewhere!

Thanks for listening!

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Philly0381

Join Date 11/2004

+844

Two things working here or maybe more.

One, you do not have to use Fences, that solves everyone's problem concerning Impulse, IE7 and .NET. Yes I know you like this piece of software.

Two, if you had ever read any threads by Frogboy, the owner on Stardock, you would know and understand that when It comes to his company, he runs it as he sees fit. Can't really argue with that. He's done pretty good so far.

Three, if there is a third point, it's of no importance after reading Two.

Don't get me wrong, there are things that I would like to see done differently, but I use the software because I like it and can handle some of the things that may cause me to scratch my head and say, 'I wonder why they did that or did it that way'.

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Quoting Lantec,

reply 2

Can we not just have a normal standalone installer
Such as....?

Some software uses Installsheild.....check you computer...I'd just about gaurantee that you have Installsheild on it....why don't they just use a standalone installer?

But those installers aren't over twice the size of the actual program (Fences - 7Mb, Impulse 18Mb) and the fact is this isn't just an installer but a whole new (unwanted) program that you have no choice or warning over being installed. I'd rather not have programs installed that serve no purpose to me and will never be used.

Fences was previously offered for download on its own so I can see no logic for it being bundled with it other than to just force Impulse onto users computers (for whatever reason), resulting in many users wondering where this new program came from and what the hell it is. If nothing else the install routine should made more transparent and explain that Impulse is also being installed and an explanation of what it is. Apart from anything else installing something behind a users back is the sort of thing you'd expect from malware, not a respectable(?) software company and I can only see this approach damaging Stardocks reputation.

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I'm also trying very hard to understand why the installation requires IE7 since I'm using FireFox and Chrome, and I'm nowhere near updating IE...

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Let me get our complaints straight:

1) Internet Explorer is more insecure than any other browser in the market. We don't have it, don't want it and some of us even cannot install it (eg, corporate machines);

2) To be able to run Fences, there is absolutely no technical reason to have IE7 on the machine. Nil, nada, zilch. Nor is there a reason to have bloatwar.. err, I mean, "great looking custom installer and software manager" running all the time in my traybar;

3) And most importantly, we were tricked to download the Impulse crap. There was absolutely no mention about Impulse in the download description.

For those who do care, here is the solution: ({Link removed - Admin). I took the old installer and replaced the modified files with new ones. Setup DOES NOT require IE7, it can be installed over old Fences or on a clean PC. If installing over old Fences, setup will remove old version first. Please restart PC before installing new one.

Feel free to scan it with any antivirus but I assure you it's clean. Here is a report from VirusTotal.com: https://www.virustotal.com/analisis/190bd91c251153fc464642e3baa494ff1a6dc173f1de973ce9c5cd7e607e79c5-1251892310

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There was absolutely no mention about Impulse in the download description.

If anyone would have bothered to read the system requirements on the Fences page this would have been no shock.

Impulse Requirements:

Windows XP (32-bit) / Vista
Internet Explorer 7.0
Microsoft .NET Framework Version 2.0
Athlon/Pentium III (1GHz or higher)
512MB RAM
1GB HD space recommended

* Impulse must be installed in order to download and update software.

Sadly,reading(or at least comprehending)is becoming a dying art.

Btw,HateSpam,modifying and redistributing Stardock software is not a wise thing to do imho.

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Sadly, some people argue just for the sake of argument.

Wizard, please take a look at the page I got when checking for updates using Fences UI: https://www.stardock.com/products/fences/downloads.asp
Now, where on that page Impulse or IE7 is mentioned?

And from Fences main page (https://www.stardock.com/products/fences/information.asp):

What are Fences' System Requirements?
Fences runs on all of Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7. On Vista and Win7, both 32bit and 64bit versions are supported.
Since Fences uses nearly no system resources, having the operating system is its only requirement

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I see,there seems to be little uniformity between sites where Fences is available. From the links you posted,you are 100% correct. NET 2.0 is mentioned,but not the Impulse or IE7 requirement. Imo,this should be corrected to avoid things like this in the future.

Next time,I'll research a bit deeper before I post. Thank you for enlightening me.

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vStyler

Join Date 11/2004

+919

Sadly, some people argue just for the sake of argument.

Wizard isn't one of those people.

+1

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Rosco_P

Join Date 07/2009

+178

Quoting HateSpam,

reply 8

Let me get our complaints straight:

1) Internet Explorer is more insecure than any other browser in the market. We don't have it, don't want it and some of us even cannot install it (eg, corporate machines);

2) To be able to run Fences, there is absolutely no technical reason to have IE7 on the machine. Nil, nada, zilch. Nor is there a reason to have bloatwar.. err, I mean, "great looking custom installer and software manager" running all the time in my traybar;

3) And most importantly, we were tricked to download the Impulse crap. There was absolutely no mention about Impulse in the download description.

Let me address your complaints directly:

1) You already have Internet Explorer. It comes with Windows. We're not asking you to use it, just to install it. If you use Firefox for your Internet browsing, the only difference will be that several IE6 security holes will be patched.

2) Fences itself does not require IE7, only Impulse does. Impulse is only required to install, uninstall, and update Fences, not to run it. Impulse does not need to be running in the background, or at all, to use Fences.

3) You are using a pre-release version of Fences. There is an inherent risk that you accept when downloading and installing beta software. There is a reason it's sometimes called "bleeding edge" software. We have updated our website to be in line with the changes that were made to the requirements of the new version of Fences, and I do apologize for any confusion you may have encountered on that front.

Bottom line: It's a beta, so there are going to be problems, and it's free, so you're not out any money. If you encounter any bugs or issues with it, we would like to hear about them, and we will address them if we can.

But please don't enter into something without understanding the dangers of what you're getting into.

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Quoting Rosco_P,

reply 13

1) You already have Internet Explorer. It comes with Windows. We're not asking you to use it, just to install it. If you use Firefox for your Internet browsing, the only difference will be that several IE6 security holes will be patched.

2) Fences itself does not require IE7, only Impulse does. Impulse is only required to install, uninstall, and update Fences, not to run it. Impulse does not need to be running in the background, or at all, to use Fences.

3) You are using a pre-release version of Fences. There is an inherent risk that you accept when downloading and installing beta software. There is a reason it's sometimes called "bleeding edge" software. We have updated our website to be in line with the changes that were made to the requirements of the new version of Fences, and I do apologize for any confusion you may have encountered on that front.

Bottom line: It's a beta, so there are going to be problems, and it's free, so you're not out any money. If you encounter any bugs or issues with it, we would like to hear about them, and we will address them if we can.

But please don't enter into something without understanding the dangers of what you're getting into.

Neatly sidestepping the actual main question/complaint - why force users to download and install Impulse when all they want is Fences, giving no opportunity to opt out during install? Fences was available on its own previously so its not like the two are intrinsically linked in any way so what exactly is the motive behind it and what do Stardock get out of installing an unwanted program on so many computers (data collection or similar, must be something). I could understand it being useful to users with multiple Stardock programs but it should be a choice whether it is installed for those only using the one small program.

I never started this thread wanting it to become argumentative or a rant fest (and hope it hasn't/doesn't) and I can understand SD being defensive, its just disappointing that such a great little program is being bundled with something unwanted, that clearly isn't needed for Fences to work, and with little or no explanation.

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Philly0381

Join Date 11/2004

+844

JDPower I think your orginial points are understood. You would like to be able to download Fences, a free program, without any other add on pieces of software. There have been other folks posting similar threads in this forum.

Stardock has seen fit to make Fences available differently. They do this because they make and sell many software programs for customizing your desktop along with some very popular games. It's part of an overall approach to provide the best possible distribution process to it's customers. Impulse is a very robust, usable and handy digital download tool.

Not to offend you or the other posters on this subject but as it stands now don't download Fences if you do not want to also have the other pieces of software on your system. Is it possible that this could change in the future? Only a Stardock rep can answer that.

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Rosco_P

Join Date 07/2009

+178

JDPower: I didn't mean to sidestop the main question, I apologize. Here's what Impulse is and can do:

-It is a centralized method of distributing software, as well as pushing updates to that software. Having to deal with every piece of software having its own individual updater is far more difficult than using something like Impulse.

-It can be used as a diagnostic tool, and can detect and repair corrupted program files, which saves time in getting things working again if you have a problem.

-It lets you archive your software so you can restore easily if something happens without having to redownload everything.

-If you have paid for any of our software titles, it keeps track of any serial numbers so you don't have to. If something happens, and you need to reload Windows, or get a new computer, all you need is your username and password, and you can reinstall any software you have tied to your account.

What Impulse does NOT do, is any kind of data collection. I actually wish it did, because it might make it easier to diagnose problems people bring us, but that's neither here nor there.

When you say Impulse should be a choice, you are correct. It's Stardock's choice. If you disagree with that choice, that's fine. You don't have to use our software. We're not even charging for it.

I don't feel either of us are being overly argumentative or ranty, and I'd like to keep it that way. I'm just trying to address your concerns, and I hope I have at least made some progress in that. I'm always happy to help if I can.

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Lantec

Join Date 07/2003

+346

Neatly sidestepping the actual main question/complaint - why force users to download and install Impulse when all they want is Fences

No, I answered it in Reply #2

Impulse is the Stardock installation/update program for it's products. Stardock maintains ALL their programs with their ONE installer....

I could understand it being useful to users with multiple Stardock programs but it should be a choice whether it is installed for those only using the one small program.

You're not getting it.......With your rationale Stardock should invest additional development time into an installer JUST for Fences because that's the one program YOU use.....what about those that only use RightClick....shouldn't they also get the additional development time so they don't have to use a universal installer also...what about the DX users...the Keyboard Launchpad users....etc.etc.

The beta probably had it's own installer so it wouldn't harm Impulse installations in the beginning or because the initial development time included one.

Lastly....it is only required for installation, updates and uninstallations so you can uninstall Impulse as soon as you finsih installing Fences.

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vStyler

Join Date 11/2004

+919

Gimme Gimme Gimme

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Philly0381

Join Date 11/2004

+844

Lastly....it is only required for installation, updates and uninstallations so you can uninstall Impulse as soon as you finsih installing Fences.

Darn, i keep fogetting that little piece of information.

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Gimme Gimme Gimme

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I agree with this whole problem of having to install IE7 for Impulse to install Fences.

I'm a Web Developer and I keep IE6 locally for a reason. And don't tell me to use Virtual PC. Fences is a really great program and it's sad to see it lead down this path. I don't mind needing Impulse but needing IE7 for a totally non-browser related program is dumb. I hope the voices are heard during this beta, and that Impulse supports other browsers or let Fences install using other more common installers.

Otherwise, I hope someone else would develp a similar program to Fences without all this garbage included.

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Quoting rottenTomato,

reply 21

Otherwise, I hope someone else would develp a similar program to Fences without all this garbage included.

+1 to that. The dependencies needed to install what's just beta software after all is crazy.

And needing it to UNINSTALL the software is even worse. That's plain insane...

(I'm sorry sir you can't get tyres from us if you don't own a car, but it's easily fixed, just go out and get a car and you can have the tyres, then you can just sell the car afterwards. Oh... but if you ever want to have the tyres repaired or want to dispose of them, you'll need a car again so just go out and get one again...) ROTFL...

Seriously though... Stardock have done more than most companies to put the "Personal" into Personal Computers, but with this nonsense IMO, they've truly lost the plot.

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Rosco, thanks for the non-defensive proper response to the question I asked, much appreciated (even if I do still disagree with the principle)

Quoting Rosco_P,

reply 16

When you say Impulse should be a choice, you are correct. It's Stardock's choice. If you disagree with that choice, that's fine. You don't have to use our software. We're not even charging for it.

That is a decision I will make when the current beta expires. Will I continue using it? Probably not. Downloading and installing two programs then immediately having to uninstall one of them every month or two is just a bit of a PITA. Maybe when it comes out of beta there won't be any need for the regular updates, then I may reconsider if I've not found a worthy alternative (or just got used to not using it anymore).

But to end on a positive note, congrats on developing such a nice little program.

+1

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If you don't like the software distribution platform for Fences then please feel free to obtain an alternative to Fences elsewhere.

Personally I couldn't manage without Impulse. It has my serial no's, backups as well as providing software updates.

The paranoia regarding IE7 doesn't even warrant a response.

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Quoting Fuzzy Logic,

reply 24

If you don't like the software distribution platform for Fences then please feel free to obtain an alternative to Fences elsewhere.

Personally I couldn't manage without Impulse. It has my serial no's, backups as well as providing software updates.

The paranoia regarding IE7 doesn't even warrant a response.

A lot of people don't like it. There has been a lot of legit crticism for forcing that install on people, not just the OP. I am saying this as a person who doesn't have a problem with IE, but I can understand the issue just the same. It's not paranoia. It's a preference people have a right to choose.

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