Licensing Model

from Stardock Forums

 

 

Has SD changed this in the last year or so??  

 

I used to be able back up my executables and in then re-load them without having to validate on their damn server.

 

I've been sending them a renewal fee for over 10 years;  while not really using the products all that much.

 

I had decided that this would be my last year since there t not enough NEW stuff that I need and/or want.

 

Am I correct?  That to even USE previously DL'ed (and purchased) OD stuff, I will need to send "blood money" every year.

 

Somewhat disgusted......   Boofus

23,155 views 21 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top


Am I correct? That to even USE previously DL'ed (and purchased) OD stuff, I will need to send "blood money" every year.

Somewhat disgusted...... Boofus
End of quote

No, you're incorrect.

You buy it once...use it forever.

If you need to re-install at any time you'll need to activate again.  If you exceed the number of activations due to OS install issues, etc you'll need to post a request for the activation count to be reset.

None of that is different.  It's been the same since WB was in nappies...;)

Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Forgot to add...

If, however, you wish to receive regular updates to your purchases you'll need to maintain a current subscription, in much the same methodology as your purchased AV program requires...;)

The ONLY difference lately is you now have choices for that of annual renewal or monthly...;)

Galactic Civilizations IV
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

OK, thank you......  Not quite so disgusted anymore. #:(   

 

I did not know they would keep the activation servers "open" for me I my account was not current.

 

Boofus 

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

I ought to point out that monthly renewal is different to annual and the monthly version does not allow the use of the software once your subscription has expired.

Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top

That seems a bit unfortunate, Neil, since that subscription option is named "Object Desktop Infinite".  Perhaps a more accurately descriptive name for that option is in order.

Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top

I think it's accurately named. The regular ObjectDesktop is a manual annual renewal where as ODI is renewed monthly automatically without any management from the user.

Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top

Hmm.  OK

Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top

I'm a current Start8 customer and would like to get Start10 when it's released to production.  Will I need to purchase a subscription to Object Dock to get Start10?  If so, that means a 10-fold price increase over a one-year period.  I paid $5.00 for start 8 and have used it for close to a year.  If I have to pay $4.00/month, that means I will have paid $48.00 over a year's time... and I would continue to pay thereafter.  Is this correct?  Please clarify pricing for Start10 for those who want ONLY Start10 and NOT Object Dock.

Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top

Where do I find my license keys now that my subscription is over its renewal date the downloads and license keys for the software is no longer in my downloads?

Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting vendors23, reply 8

I'm a current Start8 customer and would like to get Start10 when it's released to production.  Will I need to purchase a subscription to Object Dock to get Start10?  If so, that means a 10-fold price increase over a one-year period.  I paid $5.00 for start 8 and have used it for close to a year.  If I have to pay $4.00/month, that means I will have paid $48.00 over a year's time... and I would continue to pay thereafter.  Is this correct?  Please clarify pricing for Start10 for those who want ONLY Start10 and NOT Object Dock.
End of vendors23's quote

Start10 will be available for purchase standalone in the future.  One of the advantages of an ObjectDesktop subscription is early access to betas which is why it is only offered via that currently.  This will change later in the beta and I imagine Start8 customers will get a discount too.

Reply #12 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting vendors23, reply 8

I'm a current Start8 customer and would like to get Start10 when it's released to production.  Will I need to purchase a subscription to Object Dock to get Start10?  If so, that means a 10-fold price increase over a one-year period.  I paid $5.00 for start 8 and have used it for close to a year.  If I have to pay $4.00/month, that means I will have paid $48.00 over a year's time... and I would continue to pay thereafter.  Is this correct?  Please clarify pricing for Start10 for those who want ONLY Start10 and NOT Object Dock.
End of vendors23's quote

You can purchase Start10 on it's own when it's available. You will not have to purchase a subscription to Object Desktop.

Reply #13 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting The_Gear, reply 11

JeepingJohnny - They are available here: https://store.stardock.com/login.aspx?ReturnUrl=/myaccount/products - I've verified your ObjectDesktop key is still there.
End of The_Gear's quote

 

So if I wanted to say install or reinstall start 8 The only key they have there is object desktop, Object dock 2, and my colors keys, and instead of download it says renewal for ObjectDesktop? And when I launch ObjectDesktop manager it doesn't show anything installed even though Start 8, Shadow FX, Modern Mix, are still installed.

I guess I'm kind of confused.

Do I have to maintain a subscription to use them if I did not purchase them separately but used them as part of the Object Desktop subscription? I do see the Object Dock V2 key and download but I did but that separately at one point.

 Do I do the free version then use the object desktop key on it?

I wish Object Desktop Manager showed my old versions there it doesn't show anything installed. It just looks like I been cut off. Well I have been cut off form updates and I will update my subscription when I see something new I like.

Reply #14 from JoeUser Forums Top

Hope I'm not being redundant here, but if you haven't tried opening Object DeskTop Manager, logging out of your account in ODM, and then logging back in, you should do so.  That seems to 'educate' ODM about what's installed.  HTH

Reply #15 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting JeepingJohnny, reply 13

Quoting The_Gear,

JeepingJohnny - They are available here: https://store.stardock.com/login.aspx?ReturnUrl=/myaccount/products - I've verified your ObjectDesktop key is still there.

So if I wanted to say install or reinstall start 8 The only key they have there is object desktop, Object dock 2, and my colors keys, and instead of download it says renewal for ObjectDesktop? And when I launch ObjectDesktop manager it doesn't show anything installed even though Start 8, Shadow FX, Modern Mix, are still installed.

I guess I'm kind of confused.

Do I have to maintain a subscription to use them if I did not purchase them separately but used them as part of the Object Desktop subscription? I do see the Object Dock V2 key and download but I did but that separately at one point.

 Do I do the free version then use the object desktop key on it?

I wish Object Desktop Manager showed my old versions there it doesn't show anything installed. It just looks like I been cut off. Well I have been cut off form updates and I will update my subscription when I see something new I like.

End of JeepingJohnny's quote

If you wanted to reinstall it, if you have the install file, then you would use your ObjectDesktop product key to activate it.

You can still use those apps if you have them installed or have the installers to install them.

You would only be able to use the version that was available when you were subscribed, so that's why you need the installers from that time.

Reply #16 from Stardock Forums Top

I dont have the installers and they are not available from my downloads anymore. It sucks I can't download them from my downloads and that object desktop manager does not show them anymore.

Reply #17 from Stardock Forums Top

Hi

well, then you need to pay up your subscription, standard 1yr 29.99 or /9.99 deposit and 3.99 a month for infinite (monthly) to regain access to your downloads.  You can then use Object Desktop Manager to download and install them, they are then stored in your Downloads folder under Stardock.  Backup the Stardock folder to another drive or burn them to DVD so you will have them next time. My object desktop manager still shows all software front he past 10 years.  It doesn't show Object Dock 2 or Cursor FX because they are separate software (not part of Object Desktop) which is accessed from Stardock web site under "my account/downloads".

 

cheers

GigaByte69

Reply #18 from Stardock Forums Top
Quoting Jafo, reply 1
 

No, you're incorrect.

You buy it once...use it forever.

If you need to re-install at any time you'll need to activate again.  If you exceed the number of activations due to OS install issues, etc you'll need to post a request for the activation count to be reset.

None of that is different.  It's been the same since WB was in nappies...;)

End of Jafo's quote

 

How am I supposed to use it forever then?

 

 

 

 

Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top

As with ALL online purchases of software you need to download and retain both the program files AND their relevant registration keys, particularly if you entend to cancel the ongoing subscription/access to them.

 
If you have not done so you can try contacting sales@stardock.com and request assistance, however it is the purchaser's responsibility to ensure backups are retained, not that of the Vendor...;)
 
Reply #20 from Stardock Forums Top

I totally understand.  I think I will try something else then till SD comes out with an update that excites me.