Sort it out!

from Stardock Forums

I have been reading the forums for a long time now and felt it time to add my view!

All I have read is one excuse after another for not delivering what was promised over a year ago. You have shot people down for voicing their opinions and discussing support they may or may not have received, is this how a professional company should behave!

At the end of the day there is only one issue here and that is that you have not delivered what people have been screaming for and what you actually promised, irrespective if you are working on "something special" or not.

I do not know the structure of SDC but it seems to me that as a company you have managed to roll out numerous new games and other products but left all of your "already paid up" OD customers treading water.

All I read is one member of staff higher up the food chain jumping in to defend another, perhaps you should start to listen to the users having problems (OR JUST ASKING FOR THE FEATURES THEY ACTUALLY PAID FOR) and re-allocate resources to get the issues resolved or even better get the new version of OD out! You can come back and say that the issues have been addressed but looking at all the posts, can you really say that is true and what about all the users who do not belong to the forum or just cannot be bothered to post their views.

How about also creating a sticky detailing all the different versions floating about and to keep users updated with the latest developments, this will also stop the numerous posts similar to this. For one, I am completely confused as my previous version from SDCentral supported the Start Menu under Vista x64 but the latest one from Impulse does not!

Please don't come back with any defensive responses, excuses or start to flame me as I really do not want to hear any of it, I am entitled to my opinion and it will stand. To me the cost of OD+ was not a great deal and I will happily pay for a new and improved version (if it ever comes), to others the cost may have been more of a burden and it is these users I feel for as they have not been given what they paid for and now will have to pay out more for a new version when it comes.

I just want you to realise that as a supposedly responsible and professional company you are really not conducting yourself as one with regards to the OD product. If development is slow get more people on it, get it sorted and keep your users happy, after all you have taken their money. You are also in a unique position as you know that when you eventually do release a version that supports all the features you promised, people will pay for it and this is where I think you are really taking advantage. Finally I cannot help thinking that as you have not volunteered information on the "Secret" new OD that it is all probably just a way to fob off all the complaints you are getting and that it actually does not exist, I only hope you prove me wrong.

Rant over.

 

objectdock
8,112 views 5 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I am entitled to my opinion and it will stand


Yes, you are and it will. I believe the posts you refer to WERE answered (politely at first) but the poster continued to rant after receiving multiple answers from all involved.
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Now for my 2 cents of OD+ and all the whining......

...if your complaint is that OD+ does not work perfectly on Vista X64 then you really don't have a leg to stand on since the requirements page says 32 bit. I can't find anywhere on the sales pages where Stardock promises to deliver a x64 version.


System Requirements:

* Windows Vista/XP/2003/2000 (32-bit)
20MB free drive space
256MB RAM
* Languages supported:
English, French, German, Italian, Polski, Russian, Spanish, Serbian (srpski) Note: The interface has been localized for these languages, but the documentation and help (where available) will be in English.
* Internet access is required to activate copies purchased online. [Details]

I am entitled to my opinion and I think that the features should work that were already present in the RELEASE version when I purchase it AS LONG AS I'm using the correct OS and meet all the others system requirements. Any "features" added after my purchase are "gravy" but if they don't work I will report it and hope it gets fixed but not DEMAND that it is.
Siege of Centauri
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top
do not know the structure of SDC but it seems to me that as a company you have managed to roll out numerous new games and other products but left all of your "already paid up" OD customers treading water.


Have to agree with that point!
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
You also have the developers,support and the CEO of Stardock post from time to time in the forums.Not just to defend the products or their people,but to also acknowledge problems,offer help,get feedback on future changes and improvements,and generally let us know that they do care.(Just not fast enough for some folks) Perhaps you didn't read those.
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
that the features should work that were already present in the RELEASE version when I purchase it AS LONG AS I'm using the correct OS and meet all the others system requirements. Any "features" added after my purchase are "gravy" but if they don't work I will report it and hope it gets fixed but not DEMAND that it is.



Too many people forget that.
Any company that creates a progrm that allows for updates, will support their last full version purchased. But have disclaimers within their documentation stating that any alpha, or beta versions post version release are at the purchaser's own risk. When you purchase a program like this you need to realize that you are taking a risk and if you have a problem or the beta has an issue, reporting it is helpful, demanding it be perfected within the time you consider appropriate is an unrealistic expectation.

The staff at Stardock, are polite and succinct in their responses to issues and give more feedback than most companies that provide these beta releases. Take for example, an antivirus company that creates updated beta versions of their products. If you have a problem with the original you MIGHT get a response from the company staff, but it is doubtful at best, and if you have an issue with a beta, don't expect any feedback at all. They will note the issue within the company but will send you no response as to the progress of their repairs. You wait and suffer through till the repair is posted. These sites don't have an ongoing dialogue like there is here.

Please , when you read what are considered "whine" posts, read the WHOLE thing twice before slamming the staff. You will notice, the post goes from staff explaining situations, to staff getting frustrated reexplaining the same thing they first said over and over,and finally getting angrier in their responses. These threads responses are not begun on a bad foot, but they end looking like they are .

Also, note that in some cases there is already a thread regarding the issue, and staffers will point that out usually in their first post. It floods the message board when there are repeated threads regarding similar issues. Read thru the threads first to be sure there isn't another with a similar theme, then post a thread if there isn't another. Your words in one single thread added to the words of others gives strength to the topic, many threads spread out, weakens the theme of the threads.

Thank you by the way , for the well thought out post . It was refereshing to see a thread that expresses a view without directly flaming right out of the gates.

(edit) one last note, I just noticed this thread is in Object Dock. I didn't see any reference to Object Dock in the subject matter... Should you maybe have posted within general discussion? I noticed recently that it is upsetting to staff when a post is placed in an inappropriate area..might want to consider that in the future.
(edit edit) I noticed you did in fact mention Object Dock in your post once, though the major theme of the thread seems to be non Object Dock related, My apologies for thinking you didn't mention it at all.. I saw many references to Object Desktop and my mind must've substituted the words when I saw the OD+ reference.
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