Can we not just have a normal standalone installer (it never did this when I first discovered and installed it a month or so ago). Seems stupid downloading a 7Mb program and being forced to download and install a n additional 18Mb program that I have absolutely no interest in, was given no warning of during install and giving no information of what this drive-by install actually is/does. You could at least provide an option to untick the install of Impulse, along with an explanation of what the hell it is, during install in the same way most toolbar containing programs do so that the user can make an informed decision as to whether they want it or not.
Here is something to think about that is always part of any discussion like this. One of the participants in the discussion alwwys feel they are correct and in the majority. I wonder which side in this discussion feels that way? Hmmm, who is correct and who is thinking they are correct.
Just one of lifes little mysteries.
Sounds to me like a swift kick to the happy sacks would do your attitude a lot of good.
Getting sick of these freebie griefers.
Bored now...
No, my point is that I've decided I don't want this free cake now that I know there's actually a price attached. For you, the price is worth it. For me, it's not. There's no quarrel here... it's just a different way of looking at it. You've got a tough pair of nyuts and you can handle the kick. Me, not so much. When I find myself a restaurant that either: a] provides free cake that's actually free, or b] advertises the cake as having a price that I think it worth it, then I will once again enjoy my luscious cake. But until then, this restaurant no longer has the potential of receiving my business, and I'll go without my cake. Simple, and no bad attitude involved.
Put it another way... StarDock here, they're not giving this software away out of the goodness of their hearts. They're a business, not a charity. This forum is here so that their customers can state what they expect in exchange for their attention or their money. I'm a potential customer whose eyes they want on their other products. Make no mistake: they want our money and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. Thing is, my eyes have a price and that price is Fences without Impulse. If that price is worth it to them, then they'll provide Fences without Impulse. If it's not, then they won't. Simple, and no bad attitude involved.
There is no price, it's free. No-one is asking you to buy anything else.
You can get Fences and walk away, it's as simple as that.
Yes, I can get Fences and Impulse, or I can walk away. We agree. I'm choosing the latter, and you're choosing the former. However, before I walk away, I'm doing Stardock the courtesy of telling them why I'm walking away. It's possible that I'm the only person walking away over this. The impact to Stardock's business may very well be negligible. It may be nothing compared to the number of sales they make through Impulse. That's certainly possible. But how will Stardock ever know if we walk away without telling them why?
This may sound like griefing, but it's not. It's providing Stardock with information that may help their bottom line in the future. It's the very reason Stardock even has the forums.
Most companies, providers of products or services, have no clue why their customers never come back. People leave and don't come back and then they spread their negative experience around like wildfire all while the csr's at said company sit there completely clueless of the problem. Now, not all problems are meant to be or should be fixed. That's not the issue. Stardock would be blind if they didn't already known this is an issue for some people as it has shown up a few times outside of this forum. The fact that you told them is just information. The fact that people like Fuzzy Wuzzy over there just likes to insult people he disagrees with, well that's just how some people get their rocks off.
you can get Fences and Impulse and uninstall Impulse after Fences is installed
double post
Very well said. Perhaps some of the forummers could learn from how the moderators respond. Alot of new members will initially sign up with the intention of reporting issues and/or for help and if met with defensive/argumentative/insulting responses they will just be driven away again (which does not make for a stronger community of users/testers).
I know I'll probably get flamed for saying that but in the same way that nesrie tried to point out its a good thing for users to post here about their reasons for leaving rather than bad mouth elsewhere round the net, thought I'd post the above as an explanation as to why (despite my original intentions) I'll not be participating in this forum outside of this thread.
Quoting JDPower, reply 60I know I'll probably get flamed for saying that but in the same way that nesrie tried to point out its a good thing for users to post here about their reasons for leaving rather than bad mouth elsewhere round the net, thought I'd post the above as an explanation as to why (despite my original intentions) I'll not be participating in this forum outside of this thread.
Let them flame. For what it's worth, beyond that IE program, I've found Impulse to be an okay program. I had some issues to start with, like I think it forced itself into startup after an update at some point, and a few other things but they were pretty minor compared to the constant nagging my firewall gets from just installing and playing games from BigFishGames (which needs so many permissions is scary). Steam, I've had some minor issues with them too. I can't even stand Gamergate's payment methods enough to try them. I realize these are mostly gaming, digital download sites I am talking about, but I am just saying Impulse is up there with the rest of them, and better compared to many of them.
As for forum members, well they're a mix here but all their pitchfork clattering isn't going to stop a post like this:
"Don't bother. The game's servers that host it have the worst lag I have ever seen.Tried the demo and it was damn near unplayable."
From showing up on other sites. This is just a deal site advertising Demigod on sale at 20 bucks and this was the first post that came up in response to that sale. I asked the person when was the last time they played, just invcase this was an issue already resolved, no response yet and probably will never be one. Point is, Stardock has some issues floating around. I doubt this person dared show up on the official forums, and now he's spreading his opinion fairly effectively.
Wow.....
The only reason I would like a non-impulse driven installer is because I am trying to introduce my company to the wonders of Stardock.... Fences, the earlier version, was a huge hit, but, the I.T. department won't let Impulse through the proxy servers, so there is no way to update the program.
Nothing wrong with Impulse, nothing wrong with using Impulse to install, I just need some way to get the updated, working version, so that I can spread the love. I'm hoping that, once my company sees what Stardock is capable of, my company will consent to use more Stardock products.
My 2 cents:
If a program is free, and you have to download Impulse to get it, you are being forced to download Impulse.
Of course you are. You are not though being forced to download Fences.
Like many, I don't play games on my PC, so I'm only interested in Fences.
I've disabled Impulse ( I think) with msconfig.
Okay 4 cents:
With Fences being free, there was some business rational for requiring Impulse to be installed. Although quite a significant number of people (myself included) were a bit miffed about having to install Impulse.
I imagine that it might be much more problematical to force installation of Impulse with the paid version.
Stardock is in an intersting situation, it's got a product in Fences that lots of people want, and because people want it, Stardock might be able to dictate to the consumers that they shall install Impulse.
I wonder what a marketer would say is best for overall sales of Stardock, forcing people who want Fences to install Impulse, or not. Perhaps best is something short of forcing installation of Impulse.
There is no 'force'.
If your 'want' of Fences is sufficiently 'strong' you will gladly use whatever installer/updater is deemed appropriate for its use....
Once Fences is installed you can uninstall Impulse....Fences will still be there and work just fine.
From the perspective of a network administrator in an enterprise environment I should say..
Damn fine point there. However if the powers that be decide that Stardock Apps are of benefit to the company then they will tell IT to open the necessary ports and services in the proxy server. Until that time though you must realize that SD apps are more designed for personal use than business use.
Proxys and firewalls can be opened to specific users and computers for selective services/sites only without comprimising the integrity of the network as a whole. Perhaps if you were to address your legitimate business needs to your supervisors it could be ran up the flagpole for consideration.
...you must also realize to use products for business use you will need to purchase a business licence. The free product is for personal use only
If you want Fences and you have no alternative but to download Inpulse to do so, you are forced to download Inpulse.
But, because Inpulse can be uninstalled or disabled, it's not necessarily a major bugbear for the home user at least. IMHO.
I have been reading through and I am not sure if this point has been made.
I have no problem with Impulse. I think its use in Fences is a little concerning only because the original version did not and it was not listed or explained properly on the Fences page.
My main issue is I exist in a location that blocks Impulse from a network level. I cannot make the choice: I can install but not update. If Stardock did not sell games, Impulse would probably never been blocked at this location.The problem with one stop installers as people are at the mercy of filtering. Since this does not allow selective filtering, we can have the whole of the company's products denied to us.
My only request is some other method of updating even if I have to uninstall and reinstall the main EXE package. I also suggest the requirements on the website clearly state Impulse is included and the real installation requirements of both packages.
Sure Stardock can do what it wants, but no company succeeded by ignoring the needs of their customers. This is one reason for Stardock's success (listening and catering to their users) and ignoring that does not lead to a good future. This goes beyond "free" software.
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.
Childish. I keep my own serial numbers written down and have copies of EVERY program I have installed & I didn't have to ask my mommy for permission.
20MB of extra crap (Impulse) that users do not need on a computer. I think we are all smart enough to keep our SN's and copies. As for updates, I have plenty of programs that give me the option to check for updates by a determinied amount of time, or by checking when the program is ran.
Some peoples reasong for Impulse is like telling me a twin turbo v6 w/400hp is the same as a V8 w/400hp.
Boy, I remember when 20MB was a lot of data. That's, like, 14 floppies, at least!
If you want to go through all that hassle, you go right ahead. That's a whole lot of work that I'd rather not have to go through, especially when I have the option of letting someone else do it for me, and do it for free.
Speaking as support and answering all the e-mail we get from people requesting serial numbers, I would argue against the "we all" part of that. Sure, some, but definitely not all.
For me Impulse has 53 apps and 3 games (soon to be more). I'd rather let mommy Impulse take care of all the serials, backups and updates for me
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