Could be the answer is hacking/piracy related, Rich. I know that was one really good security feature with Impulse, but I could be wrong in that thought.

I'm pretty sure though that Stardock has considered an obvious option like this.

RND is correct. I turn off every auto-update I can including Windows updates. I prefer to do my own checking. I don't need all my software phoning home on it's own accord.

I'm sure SD will come up with a way to notify folks of updates to installed apps. They had two good systems that I have used.(SDC and Impulse) and I am confident that whatever solution they use will be equally as good.

I would never do it and pay for anything but I don't think this is the reason. Do a check and you will see the latest versions of SD programs are available where they shouldn't be. So I'm saying this has no bearing on anything.

As far as my other friends statements I agree you should not be forced into an update. With that said it is also mentioned above the people turn off there auto updates and just look at the notifications. Then they choose if they want to update.  Most software sites have change logs so you can look and decide if you want the update and this is the way to go for me and what from I'm reading. I don't need the latest WB update either. however we all know there will be another and the next one we may need but will also include the one we really didn't need so yuo end up with it anyway.

The reason i'm replying to this is simple because I'm going to bring this into play again. I had no problem with Impulse as soom say they had and may have. I was told Impulse wasn't needed anymore to get rid of it if I didn't want games. Now if I wanted the lasest update beta or not I can't get it. Before Impulse there was SDC and it worked fine or at least did the work it was supposed to do. I also can see that just from the past couple months this update situation is going to continue to come up. Time to end it and time to have an updated SDC or something else to replace Impulse. It was fine a few months ago to say we are working on another means to update, et. after Impulse was gone. This is really something the community could use so it would be much better without giving away any information to give us a time line. If a time line was given and when it got close to it Sd saw it needed more time just post we will need 4 more weeks to complete ???. At lease information is given and there won't be a thread every other day related to this subject. This really only pertains to something that will let us update, look at the dates out things will expire, serial number, etc. Not for every piece of updated software and when will it be done. Hell we don't have a clue as to what will be updated as it has been a long time now. Honestly my SD software is working fine for me so it's not that big a deal but there still needs to be a means when it is available.

Thank you all, I feel so much better now and if there are any misspelled words it's not my fault as the blame would be on my keyboard.

I still do not know what the big deal is. Like I have already said in another post there is no reason why the individual software cannot notify you of updates and you can either choose to ignore them or apply the update. It seams pretty simple to me and most programs do it this way. For example I use advance system care and when an update is available I am notified and I can choose to apply it or ignore it.

I do not want or need another program such as impulse to tell me about updates. It should be built into the software with the choice to turn off auto updates and notifications if that is what you want to do. Create another update manager if you like but I think its unnecessary.

That's the way it works in all of my other software, turn it on, turn it off, check manually, etc. etc.  Point being, the software has the ability within itself to check for and install updates based on the users preference.  I too have never liked having an additional piece of software just to download and install updates.  I have my software set to notify me of updates and then I choose whether to install them or not.

I've been a long time paying customer of Object Desktop and it has just boggled my mind why this hasn't happened and now we are in a pickle having to fire up the software, check the version, then fire up my browser and check the web version just to see if I want to download updates.

Come on Stardock, you guys build great software, let's step it up

From his post here: https://forums.wincustomize.com/409211 (last 2 paragraphs), Brad's on sabbatical.  I just don't think he cares whether we think this is acceptable or not.  We'll either take this as is, or we'll walk, but nothing is going to change any time soon from the current way things have been lately here.  Whining is only going to serve as a temporary vent.  Might as well write a letter to Santa Claus and ask him to fix it -- it will do about as much good.

SD is historically slow getting changes out into the world.

I agree as well.

Didn't consider the number of apps in my answer. That's a very good reason as well.

I like Jafo's and DaveRI's comments about a simple, unified app to do what SDC used to. irc would be an added benefit. I suspect that whether it looks 'simple' or not there'll be those who want something else... so just 'skinnable' might satisfy all.