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markslater

Join Date 11/2008

My experience with Stardock & Impulse :(

I'm wondering if any other first-time users of Stardock's Impulse platform have been equally frustrated by it. A friend of mine told me it was as easy as the Steam platform. I only mention Steam cos I could've sworn I saw Sins of a solar empire advertised as being on Steam.

Anyway, let's see how it went:

1) Buy SOSE off Stardock.com
2) Oh no, I need to install their download manager "software distribution platform".
3) First download nets me a 2.5kb installer file, which, dumb monkey that I am, click 4-5 times before realizing that maybe the install somehow didn't complete.
4) Hit the download button on impulsedriven.com a couple more times, net the 2.5kb installer file a couple more times before it finally agrees to let me have the N mb-sized installer file.
5) Double-click the installer file, oh wow, it needs the .Net framework. Why? Ugh. OK. Go on, then.
6) .net framework download doesn't work. Revert to dumb monkey mode and continue hitting that download button until the installer figures it out that yes, I actually want to download the (utterly unnecessary) framework.
7) Finally, finally I get things working. Wahey, it looks just like steam.
8) I go to the "My games" tab, and hit the "Download" button.
9) Guess what? Yep... doesn't want to download. Monkey mode: On! Press that button again!

It finally asks me whether I want to resume my download? I guess I do...

So now, after all those hoops you unnecessarily made me jump through, I'm finally downloading the game I purchased over half an hour ago. Is this *really* the way it's supposed to be? I mean, wonky .net framework and download manager software distribution platform downloads? Really? And before anyone jumps on my mentioning the steam platform, I'm by no means a fanboy of that, either. Except for the fact that their installation seemed, oh, a million times easier, faster and, most of all, usable. For one, it didn't punish me the way that Impulse did. I'm just very disappointed that even in this day & age, companies STILL think it's A-OK to ram whatever they feel like it down user's throats.

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Watch those monkey comments pal. You wouldn't be here otherwise.

I once had a post called Stinkin' Impulse that pretty much summed up my feelings on Impulse but don't let the title of the post fool you, it was a praise to Stardock. (Where has my post gone by the way...anyone....anyone?)

Anywhoo, I installed a new HD not long ago and decided to go fresh install of everything. Once I got everything basic on my new HD, I went and started the Impulse installer and whizz bang it installed perfectly. Then, you won't believe this, it even installed all of my apps, upon selection, perfectly. Whizz bang again! Not once have I had a problem with Impulse. I even purchased Sins of a Solar Empire last week and guess what? Whizz bang, perfect download and install.

Like someone said, folks do have problems with Impulse. But I'd be willing to bet it usually isn't Impulse. Most can probably be chalked up to network traffic, shitty boxes, and user error. (side not, my rig is 3 years old but it has a smokin' 3.2 Ghz processor). This may be one reason I haven't had any problems.

Kudos to Stardock and all the folks involved with the creation, upkeep and support of Impulse. I for one love it and will continue to support Stardock 100%.

Now, where's my thread!?

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angus1949

Join Date 12/2007

+646

I posted a very civil comment on this thread and somehow it's now gone.

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HG_Eliminator

Join Date 07/2002

+354

Quoting angus1949,

reply 2

I posted a very civil comment on this thread and somehow it's now gone.

The Op posted 2 of the same threads. You posted in the other one, which was removed as a duplicate.

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Sorry to hear your initial experience with Impulse was less than satisfactory.I(and many,many others) have used it since early beta with great results.I have never downloaded any games however,only ODNT and it's updates so your milage may vary.

I hope your future interaction with Impulse goes better for you.Always feel free to come to the forums with any questions or for help.

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k10w3

Join Date 11/2007

+770

I've had problems with Impulse, the last one very similar to yours, markslater, (i.e. .NET.framework), and I know how frustrating it can be. If it were just the problems with operation, I think it would be easier to handle, but there's the anxiety and anticipation of getting at the game or skin that you wanted so much in the first place! I do have to say the Stardock support people are really good at walking a customer through the steps to remedy the issue. You need to remember you're dealing not only with Impulse but Microsoft, too.

In a couple of days, when your game is up and running slick, you're going to forget the frustration and remember the tasks you've learned (such as "a person should only behave like "dumb monkey" for two clicks") and you'll be a happy camper. For every problem I've had with Impulse, I've learned new tasks that helped me with the next problem. Impulse doesn't hold a monopoly on computer problems, and every trial a person deals with, equips them to deal with the next trial.

The biggest lesson I've learned from my issues with Impulse is that getting angry only makes it worse.

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