Object Desktop was alerting me to some updates to the apps I have installed. When I opened OD, the updates were noted, but also Object Desktop itself said, "Renew". So I clicked that button at got to a 404 on the Stardock site saying:
Product Not FoundWe're sorry, the product you requested is no longer unavailable.
Hmm. Double negative notwithstanding, what's up with this?
The OD app needs some fixing. Best to dl thus: Click on your avatar in the top ribbon>downloads>Object Desktop tab but click on View Individual Downloads.
You'll get an alphabetized list...
Okay, cool. And thank you. But is my OD expired and in need of renewal, or is that just some of what needs to be fixed?
Nevermind. I figured it out once I got there. Renewed. Thank you for the help.
Renew your OD sub to get the latest installers...and save them.
For "Classic Subscription" users, that was and still is sage advice.
<portions of the original message with incorrect information have been removed>
I still think this is a bad idea but I'll toss out a few questions in case anyone happens to know.
1. I'm on a classic sub now will I at some point be required to use "auto renew" or will it remain classic forever (forever is apparently subjective).
2. If my 'classic' sub does expire will I also loose the ability to use various software and if so which ones?
3. Are there any perpetual single use licenses on a per key basis (even if updates are lost upon major releases) that will allow me to continue using the software. Mostly interested in Start11 and Groupy2 WB would be nice but I can live w/o it.
4. If the answer is Yes to #3 can I convert my current classic sub to that or do i need to repurchase apps from #3.
Normally I'm against subs entirely but SD subs were the middle road (at least you could still use the apps after the sub) so I was 'ok' with it but the 'Pay to play' scheme I just can't get behind. It is literally the death nell of innovation and productivity. Never the less I still value the work and use the software everyday so to the devs (I too am a retired dev of over 30 years) I say thank you for the hard work.
First time hearing about that subscription change. That is a big turn off to me. My sub ends this October so it looks like I will not be renewing my object desktop subscription. I don't even want to work on my current theme anymore due to just seeing that info...
For old/existing OD subscriptions or renewals prior to May 2023 (now called Classic Subscription), that was and is sage advice.But for new OD subscriptions and renewals beginning June 2023, is that really necessary any longer?Since according to the new OD model the applications under OD can no longer be installed or even used if the subscription is not renewed, a need for the installers will only exist if the user is a subscribed.https://support.stardock.com/space/SHC/1496285185/What+is+an+Object+Desktop+Subscription#If-my-Object-Desktop-subscription-should-lapse,-will-the-products-included-in-it-continue-to-function?
I have a feeling existing customers are grandfathered in so nothing changes even after renewal. Changes are only for brand new object desktop subscriptions.
Will get someone to confirm.
Anyone who has a classic subscription can check by going to your account/downloads and you will see the following flag below, that Object Desktop will always remain in the classic model that Stardock has used. Your software will continue to function, even if it lapses, as it always has - however, you will not have access to new software released if your subscription has lapsed. If you extend/renew, you will still be in the Classic subscription as long as you extend the existing account.
This change only impacts users who never had an object desktop subscription who are signing up net-new.
We are launching a new feature for Object Desktop in the fall that necessitates this update but we are not requring any Classic Object Desktop users to migrate to the new plan.
Ok so that is out-freakin-standing news. Can I also assume there will be no 'Auto renew' on the Classic subs?
Understood and I am definitely glad to hear it. Was kind of worried a bit. Still any word on auto renew? ALL my only purchases have always been done with burner cards. I load exactly what i need, make the purchase, and then a** can the card. No offense but sites get hacked hourly.
We did not migrate anyone into auto-renew. If you are in a classic subscription currently, it will not auto-renew. However, if you extend the classic it will be put into the auto-renewal flow but you will still be in the "classic subscription" model where if it expires, your software will continue to function.
We tried to make managing your subscription as easy as possible, in your account, click "Subscription" and you can renew or cancel from the web.
Oh so we will be put on auto renew? That's going to be difficult for me.
The previously posted information was incorrect for Classic Subscription users.
Please see the two replies from BradSams below:
@Neil Banfield and @BradSams
Thank you both for your updates to this thread. Some of us were still quite confused on the changes that began June 1 prior to both of you posting here.
Also, huge shoutout to @sdRohan whose efforts to update the documentation recently and further explain the changes are sincerely appreciated.
For anyone still confused, I highly recommend reading BradSams's posts in this thread, and reading the documentation:
https://support.stardock.com/space/SHC/1496285185/What+is+an+Object+Desktop+Subscription
https://support.stardock.com/space/SHC/1544388616/Stardock+Software+Subscriptions
In summary, if you are a current Classic Subscription user, you essentially retain the terms of the original "Object Desktop Classic" that existed prior to June 1, including that applications under Object Desktop will continue to function forever and can be reinstalled, activated, and deactivated provided you download the installers during an active subscription period. If the Classic Subscription lapses, you cannot download any updates, just as before.
The major change will be that if you decide to renew or extend your Classic Subscription, your existing subscription will be setup on automatic renewal. You have the right to cancel the automatic renewal at any time, with the same caveats regarding future functionality, as spelled out in the previous paragraph.
All other changes affect NEW Object Desktop subscriptions on or after June 1, 2023, which does not include renewals or extensions of Classic Subscriptions.
Thanks for the help mcLab.
You're most welcome.
What happens if you don't renew in time and then renew after your classic sub expires? Does it stay classic or do you have to renew prior to expiration to remain classic?
"Anyone who has a classic subscription can check by going to your account/downloads and you will see the following flag below, that Object Desktop will always remain in the classic model that Stardock has used. Your software will continue to function, even if it lapses, as it always has - however, you will not have access to new software released if your subscription has lapsed. If you extend/renew, you will still be in the Classic subscription as long as you extend the existing account." - Brad Sams (per mclab reply #14).
But that reads as if you extend it "prior" to expiration not after.
I think @Narusegawa Naru raises a valid question. Perhaps an example might better serve to illustrate:
Question #1: For whatever reason, the Classic Subscription is not renewed before it lapses. In December 2023, one chooses to renew the now lapsed Classic Subscription, and therefore opt into the auto-renewal. As best as I can tell, this situation would mean that the subscription is still under the Classic Subscription model, and therefore would be subject to all the caveats and guarantees spelled out above in BradSams posts in this thread (from October 2023 through November 2023, applications can still be used, applications can still be deactivated/reinstalled/activated provided the user downloaded the installers while the Classic Subscription was still active in August 2023, etc). Is this in fact still considered a "Classic Subscription"?
Question #2: The renewal as spelled out in Question #1 is done in December 2023. It auto-renews in December 2024 and December 2025. But before December 2026 - again, for whatever reasons - the user decides to cancel the auto-renewal in November 2026. In May 2027, the user wishes to renew this now lapsed Classic Subscription. Is this still considered a "Classic Subscription"? And for the months of January 2026 through April 2026, would it still be subject to the same caveats and guarantees as spelled out in Question #1 and BradSams posts in this thread?
https://support.stardock.com/space/SHC/1496285185
@DrJBHL
While we appreciate the reply, that is literally the same link (provided originally by @sdRohan) that I posted in this thread nearly two weeks ago:
And it does not directly answer the question by @Narusegawa Naru or the follow-up example I posted, which can essentially be boiled down to the following:
Will a Classic Subscription always be considered a Classic Subscription, even if it lapses multiple times? And will the Renew option always been present, even if (again) there are multiple lapse periods during its lifetime of said Classic Subscription?
I believe you should be discussing this with sdRohan, not me.
My reply was not directed at you.
It's directed at anyone and everyone.
Apologies if that seemed confusing.
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