Reality Check

You might want to think about what you're trying to to say there, and edit it to be more clear, because to be perfectly blunt, that's come out as total gibberish.
[Message Edited]

Stardock Central has nothing asking you to pay anything per se. If you want things like the enhanced version of the WinCustomize Browser or access to premium suites, you have to pay. QED.

Stardock Central requires you to receive one email from us to activate your Stardock.net account, to somewhat show that "you are you" and not futzing around with a bogus email address. You don't want to provide us with a valid email address for you, then I'm sorry, you shouldn't be a customer.

Of course, it's incorrect to say that there's something from Stardock that requires an email before "each and every action", but I can see that hasn't bothered you so far. Let's continue.

Stardock Central does nothing to remove old skins or anything else (unless they were old skins included with a specific build of something through Stardock Central that later got removed). If they've been "lost" from display, there's some path issue. The skins are still on your drive.

I'm afraid that we've not yet mastered the technology to run programs on remote computers and still display them on yours without taking any RAM. Your PC is no more protected from loading anything and everything whether running Stardock software or not. Your display panel comment makes no sense.

As for why the new SDC rather than the CM, there's lots of reasons. Primarily among them is our desire to be able to allow customers to have a central (get it?) place to access all the various SDS networks, including features to link to the community, options for accessing Stardock resources, as well as allowing updates to be incremental rather than requiring full downloads of everything each time.

Polyphemus...just to clarify....Nakor knows what he is talking about....his was an official response, not an opinion from the general public...

FWIW ... I really dislike all flavours of "Stardock Central" and have never had a problem with Component Manager.
Not sure what it is about SDC but I'll be avoiding it for as long as possible...period.

We have not set concrete dates on the phasing out of the CM, but it's going to be in 2003. At this point in time, I expect beta and release versions will be updated concurrently for the next month or two. Sometime in 3Q03, it will change to only release builds being released on the CM. After that, we'll see when the cutoff is.

This thread may not be the best forum for why you dislike SDC, but now's the time to speak. We have plans in terms of security, archiving, consolidating the download requirements, and several other matters for the immediate future. Remember, we're replacing something that was created in 1999 here.

I will try to respond without stepping on anyones toes
First let me say, after six months of total devotion to troubleshooting Stardocks programs for free,I kinds feel like gibberish.

Excuse me but just how much is this program going to cost me? I've invested $60.plus tax and shipping so far, with the same issues as in Nov.02, and now I'm asked to go to a hyperlink in the display properties to download the skins and establish another subscription account, how can you deny this, programs I already have installed on my harddrive, excuse me!!!! I'm aware of WinCustomize's charges, thats not what we are talking about here.

I was told to wait for the New Stardock component manager and now this one doesn't work either pacifically in the Windows Configuration settings and display properties.
However, "when you try it," be sure to e-mail me how you like it.
It took 5 1/2 months for the servers to recognize me as a paid client without someone else's expired account, that was two weeks ago. NOT GOOD/1

Also I can post all the confirmations Stardock has requested since I've installed Stardock and screen shots of all failures, so any doubts just request them I will be happy to post them or even e-mail them to you.
I understand prefectly that the old component manager does't work with the new paths, but you failed to tell me how to completely uninstall all the old, and sending me a 95 to uninstall the old manager it says it will damage my system. It does not uninstall in the Add/Remove or individually completely. Nor does the new component manager.
If the new component manager paths are not compatiable with the old why doesn't it extract it? Nothing installs from the Advanced configuration settings and I don't have a clue which interfaces belong to the new component manager or the old. Display properties and what else?
However this new posting of hyperlinks in the display properties to get WinStyles is going to far.
Stardock Central has even erased the skin build with a trial version and YES the skins are on my drive and on a second backup CD in winzip but they don't load from the display properties windows or anywhere else as it only display hyperlinks to the downloadable site to sign in again with the builder of the skins!!! IT DID ERASE or extract the CD backup in the drive in winzip. Stardock Central does extract old files do you deny this?
I'm sorry, but I didn't pay to go to someone else's site to download the program and you provide a browser to do this with, each and every time, NOT ACCEPTABLE. You ask me to bite the bullit and download the new component manager but your getting this bullit back and I'm getting a total refund.
Polyphemus

This might not be the best forum but I am speaking on the message board because I have been blocked from all groups and chat sites, except this one because it says I'm not a paid customer (access denied.) I'm not willing to use the New Component managers chat or discussion because of security issues with this browser. My skins were removed or extracted when I was absense from my PC which really got me troubleshooting.
Polyphemus

$49.95 plus any potential sales tax purchases a 12 month subscription to the Object Desktop Network. What does that mean? It means for 12 months you get access to alpha, beta, and release builds for ODNT components. It means you can archive and restore those builds through the CM or SDC (excepting issues like this weekend's 6 month+ old WB 3.50a issue which we've made available for anybody who's subscription has expired).

I do not understand your "I'm asked to go to a hyperlink in the display properties to download the skins and establish another subscription account" comment. As best I can guess with a lack of information, you've a shareware component (that is part of the Object Desktop Network) installed and as such it is prompting you to register if you continue to use it.

5 1/2 months with an expired account that recognized you only 2 weeks ago? Don't pull that as a justifaction for anything here. There are multiple modes of contact to Stardock which can sort different email addresses, older orders, gifted accounts, whatever.

As for the rest of your long paragraph of comments, you're not being clear on this at all. From what I can see from some account records, you've had an Object Desktop subscription for over 6 months, have been connecting on a regular basis, and have purchased addtional software outside of the ODNT family.

You appear to be a paying customer. Your "the security stuff scares me" comment is so out of bounds considering the problems in the OS you got on your PC/CD that I don't even know where to begin.

And nobody here at Stardock is sitting around pondering ways to wipe existing skins/themes from your PC. Apart, as I've already said, from ones that were included via SDC installs, due to path issues (which doesn't mean they are gone, just not visible to the current settings), or the like.

Email [email protected] and we'll see about figuring out exactly what has gone so wonky with you.

Kris

What I was trying to ask with the ram is if this New Stardock Component Manager is a browser since it has discussions and chat, that means security issues. Isn't this acting like e-mail program located on the harddrive that you download from your server. Is it open? Also woun't the active hyperlinks be open? Maybe I don't understand exactly but it seems if I have a link out they would could a link in.

Any of the browser functions in SDC are handled by an embedded IE control. I heard after the anti-trust trial that it was a part of the OS. Security flaws? YES. They are Microsoft's when they are found.

You totally, imho, don't understand what happens with OS components, email, or security. If you hit some whack-ass site where they are trying to screw with you, you're going to get messed up unless Microsoft has fixed the flaws in question.

Its hard to say exactly why your servers discided to register me as Marc Collins expired account in Feburary 02. It does no good to try and dispute it, as you kept putting me off, its not over yet, as I have your e-mails since Nov. to now troubleshooting and screen shots.

However, dispite all theses problems I was willing to work with the program but not Stardock Central, sorry I'm not paying $49.95 and cursor $8.00 pus tax and shipping for a browser. I'm so happy I'm...... now an offical recognized customer. Just think if I don't get a refund I have another 6 months to post theses lovely messages.

Believe me if I didn't like your Stardock I wouldn't have put up with it not working for six months, however its time people... to either get it working on your server end. OR.......
Instructions that work, troubleshooting, and its not with my OS,..... please, and its not microsoft either, you already said there were security issues yourself on your server end. Maybe I should just kept with the trial version that worked with a total refund. Remember it worked. Just give simple plan instructions something that hasn't been done, give me the programs new windows that suppose to work with the new Stardock Central, something. Uh!
Instead of spending time on convincing everyone how great it is, spend time on your customers getting it to function properly so you will have good comments.

SDC's browser functions like a browser. When you view pages and content through IE, Netscape, Opera or any internet browser you do so by downloading the pages and content to your computer, hyperlinks and all.

Perhaps that's why people here are having difficulty in understanding your issue, since SDC's browser function doesn't operate in some radically different fashion from other browsers. In fact, it does rather piggyback on an IE component. If you mean something different, then perhaps you need to rephrase your question. It's difficult to tell what you're getting at.

SDC also has the older component manager's function so Stardock programs can be downloaded through it just as previously with CM. It basically incorporates the OD app download functions of the CM and the browsing/discussion functions of the Wincustomize Skinbrowser (without the ability to download skins directly that WC's browser has).

Also, your reference to Window's Display Properties is confusing. Display properties has nothing to do with SDC as far as I can tell. If you have WB installed on your hard drive then the skins are accessible under the Appearance tab. Similarly, if you have Winstyles installed on your HD, there's a Winstyles tab (as I recall). SDC itself does not take over or interfere with these unless something has radically changed since last Friday, which I somehow doubt. (I have SDC on my work computer and have had no problems with it.) Hyperlinks in Display Properties? At most all I see is "Skincast" included as a selection in the Appearance skin menu which has been there for some time and was put there by WindowBlinds and this particular machine has never had SDC. And it is the same with the machine which does have SDC.

Also, the Stardock newsgroups are open to anyone with a newsreader and the server address. I browsed there long before using or purchasing any Stardock product, so I can't understand why you say you cannot access them due to some registration issue? (Unless I've misunderstood what you meant.)




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Wombat_1 if your still around
Since your a developer and might have some extra harddrive (external) around or know another developer that will download this New Stardock Central and give me your official opinion. Tell me if I'm wrong or if this is just a fancy browser or I just don't have the program downloaded correctly. I feel it's possible a cut back on server time. Thanks

Now I remember you from previous threads. You didn't want to download and install the apps to your harddrive for security reasons and evidently (as far as I could make out) were trying to run the programs from the ODNT CD? Have you actually installed the programs on your hard drive?




[Message Edited]

SIG 101
Exactly what I was asking about, so can you explain what security issues are involved.
All I know is that I've never had a browser for chat and discussion groups downloaded on my harddrive before. Red flags came up. I feel I have issue's but I'm not sure what it is.

Polyphemus -
Stardock Central is probably, to you, just a fancy browser. It's actually more than that but embedded within it is the IE browser. And yes it goes without saying that all the security issues that IE has the embedded browser in SDC has. That means that some of the content you see within the application is being served in a browser window. What does this mean to the you the user - it means that you get a "value added" service in the form of having to go to ONE PLACE (i.e. "CENTRAL") to get to all of your "Stardock" stuff. Stuff like News, Support, Chatting with other users, access to software updates, etc. It's not a scam or a cheat or anything like that. I've been a Stardock customer for a couple of years now, I've forgotten my e-mail address a couple of times, even changed it once and whenever I needed some help Stardock support has always been polite and gotten me back in service quickly.

I let my subscription lapse for awhile, I come back and renew with the same address *BAM* no problem - right back in service like the subscription had never stopped. There wasn't any double registration or trickery. I downloaded Stardock Central and now I'm posting this message - again no problems.

I do see a problem however in how coherent your statements are. There are only two things I can think of that would cause the problems. First is that English is not your native language and possibly not used often. Two that you are mentally deficient. I'm voting for the first, but as two people have already stated (me being a third) that SDC did have a browser component to it and yet you asked another person (again) if SDC was a browser, I cannot count the second (mental deficiency) out completely.

I'm using SDC right now, it's working just fine.
What red flags are you talking about? Why are you so conserned about a browser, when you're obviously using one right now?




[Message Edited]

First, I'm not trying to be rude, but from your comments I don't think you understand how any browser works. When you surf the net the pages and content you view are downloaded to your PC. You have IE installed on your PC and that's how it works, downloading pages from each website's server you visit for you to view. That's exactly the same as what the browser component of SDC does.

SDC is multifunctional. The main function is that it replaces the old Component Manager allowing you to download the various apps and their updates (like WindowBlinds for example) from Stardock's site and install them on your hard drive. Unless the apps, whether it is SDC, CM or WindowBlinds are installed on your hardrive they will not work properly as they have to interact with your PC's operating system in order to function. Since Stardock is a reputable outfit there's no particular danger from downloading their products from their website and installing them. That's what all the rest of us do.

I've never had a ODNT CD and have downloaded all the programs and updates I've used directly from Stardock. That's how it works whether you use CM or SDC or just purchase a standalone product. You download them from from Stardock and install them on your PC's hard drive. Even if you get the CD, at some point a program is updated and to get the update you have to download the updated program from a Stardock server and install it on your HD.

As for it's browser function, SDC functions essentially like Internet Explorer, Window's resident browser, which is installed on your hard drive and downloads content from the net. No qualitative difference in that regard. That's how your Internet Explorer works and that's how SDC works. Typically the pages you view on the net are downloaded and stored on your PC in IE's Temporary Internet File (TIF). The content you view basically sticks around on your hard drive until you manually clear the TIF via Internet Options in IE or the TIF folder size reach the preset TIF size limit in IE or you set your IE to clear the TIF when you close the browser. My point is, the only way you can view content on the net is by having it downloaded to your pc and hard drive. That's how browsers work, whether it's IE, Netscape, SDC, or the Wincustomize skin browser. The security issues using the browser function of SDC are no greater than you viewing websites via IE or any other internet browser. They work the same.

Similarly, if you want programs like SDC, WB, etc, to work on your PC they have to be installed and resident on your hardrive so they can properly interact with your PC's operating system. The only thing I can figure is that somehow you have not installed the apps properly on your hardrive.

I downloaded your trial version so it was not a security issue however, downloading someone's e-mail, chat or discussion messages I don't know, is another matter.

To load skins or winstyles the message that comes up is to download from display properties.This message appears under each skin. In the Display Properties it lists each and every hyperlink to the individuals owners of the skins or winstyles, if it doesn't crash or freeze or takes 5 minutes to display with the abort message to end program is not responding.

Linking to the hyperlink takes you to the site to download programs that are subscriptions, pixtudio, and etc. I did download WinCustomize browser, is this the problem? As this browser is not functioning properly but it didn't function with CM either. I have Windows 2000 and realize most is in beta, so what now? What functions with Windows 2000 as CM is a 1999 program? I think this is limbo instead of imho. By the way imho is misspelled.

WB is accessible under appearance but nothing loads. And yes the WinStyles tab is accessible under display properties. Like I said earlier hyperlinks display in the windows with owner name and hyperlink to there web sites. As far as newsgroups when I try to access them it displays a message (not a registered user access denied.)and this is with connecting from your within your browser programs or not and signed in.

It is very difficult to follow what you're saying........
Unless I'm missing something, you can't access newgroups with SDC.  and btw .. imho, isn't misspelled, it means "in my humble (or honest) opinion".
Please answer one question............. Do you have any of these programs installed on your harddrive, or are you running them from the CD?

"[...] downloading someone's e-mail, chat or discussion messages [...]"

SDC does not download your e-mail or the e-mail of anyone else. It is simply not true.
SDC does not download any chat. It allows you to chat using the internet if you want to. It is a great support tool.
SDC contains a window in which Internet Explorer connects you to this site, so you can read and respond to messages on this website. You don't have to use it, but it operates the same as if you would have used Internet Explorer.

It would be nice if you educate yourself first before even thinking about discussing security issues.

It would be wise to contact the e-mail address provided by Nakor. He is (like me) working for Stardock. If you have issues, we will try to solve these as stated earlier.

In the mail you write, it would be a very good idea if you could precisely describe what you are doing and what error messages are displayed. Only then we can help you. The information you have provided above is not enough to solve any problem. We have great difficulties to even understand what you are saying. We are trying the best as we can to help you. So, please be more descriptive and as precise as you can.

If you have difficulties with describing your problem, maybe you can ask a friend with a computer to help you out to formulate your problems and to e-mail these to [email protected]

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SIG 101
Yes and with it you have temporary files that are downloaded using your firewall, that can be removed now or later and so how many browsers can you have functioning on your PC at one time? And if you have this browser with a server that has access thur this browser they also have access to your PC right or am I missing something here? I know that there was access to my PC while I was away from the system because SDC extracted files, all you have to do is read thats its extracting files while downloading the programs in updates. Are you stating I'm wrong in this matter?

Again the issue is not downloading all the programs on my system, its having the chat, discussion with this browser like e-mail placed on my PC, like microsoft express messages.

Kosati, sorry but it's right on the front of SC component manager that you install as an interface to download new installs. (Chat and Discussion) Check again! If I'm not wrong on this the server downloads to this browser, just like it does your windows settings and it doesn't take you to their server or through your own browsers ISP firewall,it basically downloads e-mail, right, does this mean it bypasses the firewall. I could be totally badly mistaken about this. I haven't used the Chat or discussion so I don't know exactly how it works. I wanted to hear from someone else on this.

If you have difficulties with describing your problem, maybe you can ask a friend with a computer to help you out to formulate your problems and to e-mail these to [email protected]

Can you please do that? That way we can help you. OK?

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