Impulse, is adware » Forum Post by The_

I agree completely, the ads are a turn off and I feel like I am overwhelmed by them on impulse its almost claustrophobic.

Impulse opens to the last tab you had open when you closed it. So you may never see the Store after initial launch.

MyColors is not a replacement for the current (build-your-own-theme) Theme Manager.

I don't understand. It's the same as SDC but with a different interface. If you click on the Update tab or My Desktop tab when you close it out it'll open up on those tabs. If you open SDC and click on the Web Browser tab you get the StarDock web page. So I don't see what the difference is.

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I have to completely disagree... Impulse is not adware... the store is a separate section than anything else... that's like saying windows is adware... windows vista gives you the "option" buy an upgrade. It's right in my darn start menu, but I don't consider windows to be adware... virtually every program I've purchased in the last few years gives me the option of going to their website, or buying more software from them... adware applies to programs like I-mesh that cause pop-ups even when you aren't actively using your web browser... if you don't want to see the ad's you don't ever have to click on the store tab...

As an aside . . based on what Brad has said about what will be featured on the store there's a good chance I'll want what they sell.

It's all about trust.

Ok I stand corrected about the tab issue but still. The ads present are just not appealing. My real issue is with MyColors. There are 2 features on that thing and one shows themes and not all my themes, just two themes Quest and Magic (only because I updated it), but should at least show the Halloween theme R.I.P. 2007. Well i guess nevermind about that i jusat checked my registrations and it's not there. But anyways like i said, it does not show my themes so the first part is incomplete and the second part... well... its just ads. Trying to get me to buy something. Well regardless Impulse and MyColors seem to be useless. Incomplete.

Ok consider the subject closed. I have vented and feel better now.

You are not the target market for MyColors. The belief (I think) is that the market will up-sell or cross sell or something.

windows vista gives you the "option" buy an upgrade

true but that can be removed... well i assume that because ultimate does. not sure about the others, though i have to assume you can.

virtually every program I've purchased in the last few years gives me the option of going to their website,

not sure about the software you purchase, but I don't see that. i have purchased well over 1000 dollars of various software (work related)and yet to see ads. Just to name a few. Graphic software sych as Corel Painter, Paintshop Pro and Draw, Adobe CS3, Diskkeeper 2008, CA Antivirus, McAfee and Norton secuity software. I can name more but none of them have ads place inside the software except during registration. If the company has this then it is easily disabled to not show up.

Anyhow this is just to respond to a message. To help justify my post.... now we can consider it closed.

Well, for me, it's just fine...

I don't see anything wrong with it. In fact, I find it rather conveniant for browsing through current and upcoming sales items instead of opening my browser and searching everywhere. The Impulse software offers other "conveniances" as well. I appreciate the fact that everything is conveniantly located and within quick reach. I'm glad I have it...

This really gets back to that article I wrote "The existence of premium stuff doesn't hurt you"

People now label things as "adware" simply because they include the ability to purchase stuff from the UI. You just can't win.

If I pay for something it should work, I should not have to beta test it or put up with things i do not want,Everything I have ever seen of yours Has been the best. But if i am paying for something and it has features I don't want the answer is simple i just won't resubscribe, No Whinning, it's just business, I guess. I have loved the products, skins, ideas and imaginations of all those who have come and gone, I only wish that those with the knowledge would occasionally listen to the rest. If a product doesn't adhear to what I want or expect the choice is simple,....I won't buy it the next time around.

Impulse isn't a feature or a product. It's a download manager for getting to products.

Impulse seems to be a Point of sale more then a functional app.

It is both.

Where you open it up to, and why determines how you benefit from its use.

It can provide information on what is new/available within Stardock's realm of product/interest....and/or it is the portal for downloading/updating your currently used products/programs/games/etc.

StardockCentral was exactly the same animal only more 'primitive' in a lot of ways, that is all.

My interpretation of 'adware' is the program [not portal] that you purchase/install that hits you with pop-overs/unders spruiking you to upgrade/spend/visit an advertiser's site. The equivalent would be every time you loaded a skin in Windowblinds a banner appeared saying "Eat at Joe's" or such-like....and that does not happen.

As for other proggies, purchased and otherwise that do NOT 'suggest' you upgrade/spend more....if you haven't got one of those then you can't have too many proggies. ZoneAlarm Pro lets me know there's bigger/brighter/better 'options' available from time to time....then there's all those proggies that tell you there's a newer ver available.

All of that is a product/consumer service, not commercialism by banner-ad. Stardock's sites [such as Wincustomize.com] have banner-ads....to help alay costs....but even then there's an opportunity/method provided to 'not see them again'....via Subscription....

lmao, so much for subject closed...hehe

Anyway, "it's still in beta and have just to be exptionnaly used by users who really wants to try beta" as it was told by Stardock Head

If I pay for something it should work, I should not have to beta test it or put up with things i do not want,Everything I have ever seen of yours Has been the best. But if i am paying for something and it has features I don't want the answer is simple i just won't resubscribe, No Whinning, it's just business, I guess. I have loved the products, skins, ideas and imaginations of all those who have come and gone, I only wish that those with the knowledge would occasionally listen to the rest. If a product doesn't adhear to what I want or expect the choice is simple,....I won't buy it the next time around.

Impulse isn't a feature or a product. It's a download manager for getting to products.

Well Ive paid for software I do not seem to have access to via Impulse.

I have an email, with the reg codes to all Stardock software Ive purchased. However, When Im told by that email to use impulse and input reg codes, I do to no avail. Impulse will NOT let me have my software. I have sent an email to Stardock support, as well as made out a so called Help Ticket...both to no avail.

I want my software...Stardock...11 days is more than enought to fix this problem, or tell me what I am doing wrong. No Stardock input in that time is simply NOT acceptable.

Someone please help me with this crazy crap!

Xythe

Impulse is an end point manager of the given software.etc put forth by the company with a store section. It is not intended as a daily use program such as a gadget or Windowblinds. Many companies that offer download managers also contain a Store section with ads, EA is just one of them I can recall off the top of my head.

I would expect to see a store section in any companies download managers as it is a good resource to get the word out to current customers about new items they might be interested in , as well as It offers the customer an quick and easy way to shop without having to open a second program to browse their products. I often look there to find new toys.

Adware ? no. Realistically it does not force you to look at the store section, it does not fill your browser with unwanted faves,urls,change your home page,etc. When running the programs the manager/Impulse manages, the programs do not force you to see ads nor do they push other products on you when running.

Good post Goo... It is good to bring to light the differences between Smart advertising and forced adware. One is offered as a selling point while maintaining a Benefit to the customer by offering ease of shopping. The other is intended to flood you with unwanted and sometimes difficult to remove ads they get paid to cram in your face.

One is offered as a selling point while maintaining a Benefit to the customer by offering ease of shopping.

I agree 100%

And where else would The_Goo have us go to look for Stardock products and My Colors Themes? Another site? A Different browser? There has to be a retail outlet somewhere and Impulse is the logical choice. I'd like to see "new releases","featured" "most popular" "on sale" especially that one,etc. on the store page someday. It's all good. Show it off!

Well Ive paid for software I do not seem to have access to via Impulse.I have an email, with the reg codes to all Stardock software Ive purchased. However, When Im told by that email to use impulse and input reg codes, I do to no avail. Impulse will NOT let me have my software. I have sent an email to Stardock support, as well as made out a so called Help Ticket...both to no avail.I want my software...Stardock...11 days is more than enought to fix this problem, or tell me what I am doing wrong. No Stardock input in that time is simply NOT acceptable.Someone please help me with this crazy crap!

Xythe,

What software is not showing up? Is it older software? Some of the really really old software is not staged for Impulse. Please let me know what you are looking for.

When I use your account to log into Impulse I see everything I expect. Are you clicking on the MyDesktop tab and clicking on the Software subtab?

Xythe,

I believe that support resolved your issue. If you experience new issues in the future, please contact us.

spruiking????

spruik [ sprook ] (past and past participle spruiked, present participle spruik·ing, 3rd person present singular spruiks)

To promote

So all this time I have been waiting to be spruiked and din't even know it...lol.

I was under the mistaken impression , that Stardock Central was being replaced by Impulse. If it is no thing but a download manager, once SDC is phased out I guess the only way to get access to my software on line would be through this download manager,which seems to me makes it a feature( if I have to use it)

Impulse will be alot more than a download manager. It is intended to be the replacement for Stardock Central. However SDC has no plans to be phased out either at this time. That might be a confusing statement but that is the current status of things.

Impulse already has major tools for networking with games, comunity access, and the store and much more. The Impulse you see today will be slightly different at the end of each week. Frankly I am excited about it.