When will we get WindowBlinds for Windows 8? Windows 8 has been released for a couple of months now.
Not only WindowBlinds, how about other software in the Object Desktop for which I paid and can not use?!
Many of us have paid a yearly subscription and for those of us who 'upgraded' to Windows 8 upon release, and those who had the beta versions for longer, we have not been getting our money's worth!
Please please please Stardock, get WindowBlinds and other Object Desktop software working in Windows 8.
Will Windows Blinds 8 be a Windows 8 only program or an update to Windows Blinds 7 with new features/improvements?
Stardock's subscription system has worked great for me and even Microsoft is using it now.
Last I saw, December 2012, Windows blinds would be available "next quarter". Next quarter was a month ago. Like others have mentioned, I paid for a subscription. I am seriously feeling ripped off. Can someone at least post an a real release date?
Really, how does one go about getting a refund? If I wanted to be robbed, I'd still be married.
Development has taken longer than initially expected. It's currently in testing and we hope to have more news soon.
We don't give specific release dates in case things come up that cause delays.
WindowBlinds 8 runs on Windows 8 and Windows 7.
Neil and Island Dog,
Thanks for the official update!
Hasn't the Win 8 SDK been out since like September? Seriously, we pay money for subscriptions and kinda assume that we would have up to date software that works with our OS.
If it were easy everyone would be doing it.
Skinning an OS ain't like dusting crops boy!
perhaps that is why your customers pay? It certainly isn't for your warm and friendly customer support! But I suppose with pretty much no competition you could be as slow as you want and we would still have to smile and say thank you...
Stardock's customers pay because the products are of a high quality and more than worth the price. To ensure they stay that way the CORRECT amount of time/effort is taken to make them right.
Microsoft did a fine job of 'visually' castrating Windows 8, so now it is up to Stardock to restore the 'pretty'. It's not something time-controlled/related to a date of an SDK release. Windowblinds isn't a typical OS Application, it's a GUI/Shell redesign, effectively...
You have to remember we had many applications which had Windows 8 updates.
Whatever order they got updates in someone would be upset that app X didn't support their new OS. We also introduced a number of Windows 8 specific applications like Start8, Decor8 and ModernMix.
What do we want a ham sammicth when do we want it now.
I completely agree with Jafo. I have had no issues paying for Stardock's products because they're quality. WindowBlinds 5, 6, ObjectDock Plus, CursorFX. I actually felt sorry for Stardock when Win7 came out because the UI was just about perfect for me.
Now I'm chafing at the bit to drop my money on WindowBlinds 8 or maybe even splurge for a ODNT subscription because the ModernUI in Windows 8 is so ugly and dysfunctional on dual 21" monitors.
Even though I'm more than ready to have WindowBlinds 8 out so I can have some freakin' rounded corners and transparency, I'm content with the wait because I know Stardock is doing their best to get it right.
You and me both, brother....
Jafo nudges Neil.....come on, lad...
Yes we would like to see windowblinds 8. However I can understand why it may be one of the last programs to get updated and released. Without Start8 and the other programs being completed first what good would windowblinds 8 be. We may have additional things to skin bur unless you had the other programs available first to see, one wouldn't be able to even see what was actually being skinned.
I don't have woindow 8 so I'm not sure how I can skin it anyway. I will want to skin it so some how I have to figure out how to get it on my computer along with 7.
I would not disagree that Stardock puts out some great software, I would say they are a little slow on the output. I would also say that the customer service, albeit Zubaz, would be better off not interacting with paying customers. After a bit of forum search I have noticed a trend in sarcastic remarks, which is horrible marketing. When the apps are out and working they are great, but bugs seem to be regular, and the responses to those bugs not very great. For instance https://forums.wincustomize.com/439119/page/1/#3306611 Reply #7
Besides my Object Desktop subscription, I have purchased the Sins trinity, and Elemental, good games, but rather buggy both. So if stability is the reason for the delay then I sure hope it actually is stable...
Forum searching is much like any searching....namely GIGO. A similar search would find prompt issue resolution...or unreasonable and abusive demands....people bending over backwards to assist others....
Anything can be 'found', but arguably the comment linked-to is actually a simple option choice...the 'sarcasm' is only assumed. A previous response [perhaps not found in your search] offered the solution to the original issue....
Ah, now we dig into the deeper nuances of customer service. "Perception is 100% true to the observer." Whether the perception is right or wrong, any company that is trying to make money has to do its best to keep as many customers happy as possible. This means that anyone in said company that interfaces with customers must be able to handle criticism, and grumpy customers, and turn those situations around for the positive. Over the years I personally have rarely interfaced with Stardock, I typically keep to myself and hum a happy little tune even when I am frustrated; however when my first interaction gets the response
I would probably consider that an indication of something bigger, and then when I spend 5 minutes digging and find several other similarly sarcastic responses, again based on my perception, I would say that there is deffinately a customer interface problem. I know that if I was running the Stardock Customer Service Department, I would probably respond in some way to try and curb that perception...
One mans sarcasm is another mans humor.
Wizard1956, perhaps, but typically the person with whom the sarcasm is directed feels slighted. It is important in any business to try and be professional when dealing with customers, and sarcasm, right or wrong, is ussually not considerred professional. I would be interested to hear Stardock's guidelines for handling customer situations, and what the company feels about sarcastic remarks towards customers.
Here's the deal: I've been a customer of Stardock's since OS/2. I'm a regular user and member as well support. I have a sense of humor and share a cultural affinity to "Star Wars".
Posts in the support sub-forum probably get less humor/sarcasm than other forums . . but will likely get some. Posts in other forums get replied to depending on mood.
Having said that, over the course of the years ("Join Date 11/2001") I've handed out more of my fair share of answers to questions; many times with humor. I'm sorry you didn't see it this time.
If I may, what I see is: "we pay money for subscriptions and kinda assume that we would have up to date software that works with our OS." YOU are ASSuming the direction of a company/business that provides a service WB7 that does work with the current supported OS's. It was YOUR decision to upgrade/update YOUR OS. To ASSume the provider follows YOUR practice is ridiculous! The basis of YOUR interpretation of how StarDock handles its customer support is based on an ASSumtion YOU made. Hey A-whole lot of us are waiting for WB8 to be released but, we can say WE are happy with how the said program/software works with OUR current OS. Stop with the petty whining, it will be ready when its ready!!!
1: I did not know Zubaz was just a regular unpaid user, with his Title of Stardock Support you get the idea that he works for Stardock. That being said I am fully supportive of community folks that lend a hand to their favorite apps, and communities and commend him for that. Though I am less supportive of closed source apps that take advantage of those types of users, they are making money and folks that go out of their way to support them should be compensated.
2: Zubaz, as a regular user I apologize, you did not deserve any type of personal attack! You are afforded the right to say anything you want, in any tone of voice you like. I knew and understood that your sarcasm was meant as humor, I simply took the hard line thinking that you worked directly for Stardock, again I apologize.
2: Waxplayer, I make no assumptions when it comes to customer service standards, I am both experienced and certified in IT and other Customer Service practices. Both as a Grunt and as a manager! If Stardock does not follow industry standards then that is their bad because these standards come from years of experience from many experienced and respected sources!
3: I do not recall whining at all, I suppose that is an assumption that you made waxplayer! I was simply pointing out what many other paying customers are feeling, as well as factual timelines.
4: In the real world software companies, and even development departments for standard companies, typically have release standards for how often new releases will come out, and how far behind major technology releases they will be, these even have industry standard terms tied to them. Customers, and ShareHolders typically demand this!
5: If folks wish to stay behind the times that is their choice. Personally I prefer to stay on top of what is new and fresh, and from what I have seen over the years skinners typically are that type of personality. So, assumption or otherwise, if you do the math, it would make sense for a company with a customer base that tends towards artistic, and cutting edge, would need to be the same to produce the highest possible revenue, and have the best customer satisfaction rates!
I am a user and *also* official (paid) support.
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