It's confusing, at least!
Edit: I was doing it the wrong way, I think. I was trying to see something in SDC, but now I've installed Impulse and everything is clear now.

Actually, you need only install the retail edition of Sins of a Solar Empire. It up and installs Impulse on you (like it or not).

Actually, I'm a bit concerned - if Impulse is beta, why is it installed as a pre-requisite of a retail product?

There is no requirement to install Impulse. Impulse is now at production level but it still has many tools and updates being loaded into it. It works but is far from finished.

It still remains the best way to update and install the game for you. Also allowing you to archive the game onto a CD (containing the updates of course). Eventually to have multiplayer match making. With out ads, spyware, or costly background services we have made a sincere effort to make it a painless tool that you can enjoy using.

 

Aaaand, I just noticed that the retail disc doesn't install Impulse - regardless of what the manual says. Heck, it doesn't even install (or try to install) SDC. Um, it doesn't even add shortcuts anywhere to the game. Meh, I guess I'll just install it manually. Maybe you guys should pass along to whoever makes the SoaSE disc that if the manual says it installs Impulse, it really should do so.

"Impulse is still in a beta phase. The power users will find it and test it out. SDC is still the official digital distribution app. I think that once Impulse is vetted it will get more focus."

How can OD2008 be "released" if the core component is still in "Beta"?

This is really confusing: an e-mail arrives to say OD2008 is "released" and that everyone has a free upgrade, but nowhere on the website is there any mention of how to obtain it, except here. It's like it's been deliberately hidden from pre-existing customers, except for a potentially dodgy link to 'Impulse' posted by a customer, which may or may not be the current official version as far as everyone else reading this thread is concerned.

All that has happened, as far as existing installations of Stardock Central is concerned, is that it now produces an error message every time it is launched to say that the "Dreams" license cannot be validated. Everything else is the same and nothing new appears in the list of applications.

Another concern which is absent from the FAQ is the implication that users no longer have control over which applications are installed. According to the 'preview' article, applications I do not want are installed as a 'bundle', even though last time I checked not all of them were fully Windows compatible (cannot run under non-admin accounts) and the last time I tried them they were problematic (issues, unwanted clutter/complexity and system slowdown). In the end, I only want WindowsBlinds and SkinStudio to be installed, but the 'preview' article raises the question of whether this is still possible.

I think someone at Stardock should post a sticky thread about how to upgrade, and also clarify these issues.

There is no "upgrade" per se.  You don't get new apps if you were a ODNT subscriber.  You don't get a new launcher.

Existing subscribers get what we had.  SDC and Impulse have your new account settings and will deliver updates as always.

New subscribers have to choose what level ODNT they want. 

I hope that helps clear it up.

You can install whatever application you want.  You don't have to install them all.

Hello everyone first post time

First up using XP64 and have been enjoying Windowblinds and Iconpacker for a few years now. However after finding this page from a link in the Iconpackager forum regarding the new version 4 I have a couple of minorish complaints.

1, I installed Impluse to see what it was all about and it's all very shiny and new however trying to install any updates or new downloads gives me a popup telling me my OS is not supported. Fair do's I'm using 64bit so used to new things not running from day one.

2, Hop back over to Stardock Central and find that the updated versions of Sound Packager and Premium Desktop skins are not on there, if as the posts above say that Central is going to be the main app for downloading updates and software for a while then will these be making an apperance soon along with Icon Packager 4 on there or will Impulse be 64bit friendly in the very near future so I can download these updates and software?

Thanks in advance for any help on this one.

Any word on when a compatible X64 version of IP will be out?? I unistalled 3.99 and my icons are still screwed up...

Thanks for the new WB beta, Firefox 3 now has beautiful menus

Beta 5 always did.


I would also like to know this... last I heard it was due out in a week.. several weeks ago. Hope the delay was nothing serious.

Questions:

1. I haven't seen anywhere what it will cost to resubscribe to Object Desktop Ultimate.

2. When do we get our first free My Colors theme. I'm assuming that the two giveaways (Quest & Diamond) that come with My Colors aren't included in that category, as it would give the supposed benefits of a subscription to those who have not subscribed.

3. Now that Icon Packager 4 has been released, what are Stardock's plans for their next great 2008 release?

1. Renewal remains the same (link)
2. You are correct.
3. Only Winky knows . . . and he's not talkin' 
   

Rambling little rant-
Is there ever going to be an option for those of us who want a different mix of applications?
The only application I use from ObjectDesktop is ObjectBar, don't want or need any of the others full-stop. I'd much rather bundle it with a copy of ObjectDock premium, but that's not an option- I'm stuck with paying for applications I niether need or want

Cheers

-Leezer-

Many of the apps are available as stand-alone apps.  ObjectBar is one of them as is ObjedtDock.