Really, I can only install the latest FENCES on ONE Computer? [Updated]

Yes, it is typically one license per PC.

https://www.stardock.com/support/software_eula.aspx

Use on a computer:

1. You may:

   1. Install and use one (1) copy of the Software on a single computer.
   2. Install the Software on another computer only if you change your main workstation. In such a case you must uninstall the Software from the previous computer.
   3. Use the Software via a network, only if you have purchased an adequate number of licenses. The number of users must not exceed the number of licenses you have purchased. The trial or free versions of the Software is licensed to be used on one (1) computer. The paid version of the Software may be used on one (1) computer.
   4. Make a single backup copy of the Software for archival purposes only.

Wow, this is really disappointing. I have been a longtime subscriber to Object Desktop and also purchased the Old Fences Pro (among others) due to the fact that I own two working laptops. I probably am mistaken but I could have sworn I read a post on here somewhere a few years back that said we could install fences on more than one personal device if done within a few weeks of purchase. Now it is being made clear that I(we) have to buy another license. Jeez, this really hurts.

Here is a few suggestions, FWIW: 1) The option to purchase a one-time lifetime license at a price higher but still reasonable, so the customer doesn't have to feel nickled-and-dimed to death. Perception is often more important than the reality. And/or 2) Have the license good for up to three personal devices. I use my laptops for different activities but almost never simultaneously.

Not that my opinion matters, just my 2cents.

I have been a  Object Desktop subscriber for about 10 years or so and in the past my subscription allowed me to install Object desktop on both my Desktop PCs and laptops ect without a problem , but now with the latest software updates  its now staying its already licensed to another computer ?????

Sorry StarDock you have just lost a longtime loyal subscriber !! Object Desktop was a bargin when using it on 2 or more PCs but Now with windows 8 there are less software titles with OD and windows 8 so your now getting greedy and want to charge me a subscription per PC NO THANK YOU!

Get greedy and loss your customers !!!

thanks  but no thanks David

Same response from me. After years of subscribing to OD while only using fences and object dock (on two machines), you've changed the calculus. No renewal for me unless the policy is changed.

When I purchased my software the license was for my desktop and one laptop, which Stardock personnel have said is OK many times in the forums in the past. When was the EULA changed, and why were users not notified? 

 wow, this is absolutely outrageous, you are really disgusting and I was not informed of this prior to updating, absolutely sickening tactics employed by your company.

Hi guys,

the he intent is not to keep people from installing it on their home and work machines but to prevent people who were installing it on every machine at work.

We will be making some adjustments to make sure you guys and others like you are taken care of.

Stay tuned.

The community has spoken and Stardock has listened.       

Thanks for the clarification Brad. 

Thank you greatly appreciated.

That's great! Thanks for listening and explaining. I really appreciate it. I have been a long time Stardock Customer because you guys embrace the multiple computer installation approach which is where we're headed anyway, like Android and the like. I suspected something was up and now we know. I too, was hoping you hadn't changed your policies. Thanks for listening to our concerns. We are a multiple computer user community and appreciate those who don't nickel and dime us to death. 

I actually thought the same thing too and felt a little stung by the change and the lack of notification and at having to purchase another license.  But then I thought, 'I work hard, I get paid, it's great software, and I've been following and supporting these guys for years now so I guess I can afford to buy another license.'  And I did... and then I found this thread. 

I think the biggest issue is the lack of prior notice, and then being confronted with such an insurmountable barrier when installing the software on our own machines.  It definitely fired up the blood so it's not hard to understand the strong reactions shown here. But I also understand the reasoning behind the change; some people take advantage of the system, and some just simply can't be trusted to do the right thing.

Thanks for your understanding, Brad.  This kind of attitude is mainly the reason why I continue to value your software and support so highly. 

Just want to say I too have this problem... I have Fences installed on only 2 machines. Since the latest update, now I'm being told on my MAIN machine that it cannot activate. I do not want to uninstall from my other machine, but it looks like I may have to for the time being.

I upgraded to version 2.13 today and have the same problem. I first upgraded my notebook and then my desktop. Now my desktop is requiring me to activate and claims that my product key is being used by another computer.

When is this bug supposed to be fixed?

In my country it's illegal 2 change the eula whitout notifiyng 

No sweat. Sorry about the inconvenience.  I have a meeting this week to expedite the changes.

Here on the forums, we get to talk to our core (well IMO our core) user base. But in terms of raw sales, it's usually from big companies ordering lots of copies and the enterprise team kept running into situation where a "big" company would order *1* $4.99 copy and put it on 3,500 machines.  But in trying to address that, they forgot to keep in mind the people who want it on their work machine, home machine, laptop, etc. We don't expect those customers to have to purchase multiple copies.

I have to agree with the general sentiment of this thread and regardless of what Frogboy says, the fact of the matter is that Stardock sees fit to change functional licensing policy mid-stream without notifying its users. And that on top of bundling Object Desktop (really?) and no release notes to reference, you'd think Stardock was a guy working out of his basement.

I still haven't gotten the taste of that Impulse fiasco out of my mouth.

I've also been using various Object Desktop components for 10 years or so now.

There's no quicker way to alienate paying customers than this kind of maneuver.

Piracy is a problem... we get it. But it's your problem.

Pushing out an update that requires an uninstall of the previous version each revision (on my PC at least) and then barring activation of a formerly-activated PC? That's pretty low, guys even for you.

John

You do realise you are OBLIGED to 'regard what Frogboy says'?

His is not the interjections of a rambling mal-content but a statement of intent/status-quo.  The situation was/is inconvenient but will be only temporary...;)

Ya know, the CEO saw fit to make a public apology for this. There is absolutely ZERO justification to continue ANY bitching and whining at all.

Accepting the answer with a heart felt THANK YOU is the ONLY appropriate answer going forward! 

Please add my name to allow more than one computer for my product also...

I have 2 desktop units at home and a laptop .. and one computer at work. all running windows 8.

your product makes things more productive.  I am saddened since this last update, now it wont work on one of my desktops.

please fix?

Thank You 

Looking forward to this fix. I have a Surface Pro, Windows 8 laptop, and Windows 8 desktop. I have bought several Stardock products and was disappointed just now when I installed an SSD in my laptop -- which had Fences on it before -- and is now displaying the message stating it cannot be activated.

I look forward to when the fix is rolled out. It sounds like Stardock recognizes that they need to take care of their honest customers who purchased the products and have multiple personal machines on which they are used. Hope it is resolved soon.

Yup my fences stopped working on my main pc too... Well???  

It's the weekend here now folks, you probably will not hear anything more until next week.

Same issue over here.

I have two PCs, my desktop and my laptop, which I sue interchangeably. When Fences on my desktop said the licence was no longer valid, I figured it's a simple matter of relogging in or re-entering my key. I was shocked when I got a message stating that "the licence is currently associated with a different computer."

This was not a problem over the past few years that these two PCs were running with Fences among other Object Desktop applications. As a subscriber I know that I am entitled to install on multiple PCs as long as I am the only user.

Here's a transcript from the EULA at the tme:

YOU MAY:
1. Install and use one copy of the SOFTWARE on a single computer.
2. Install a second copy of the SOFTWARE on a second computer only if you are the main user of this computer (home computer or laptop for example).
3. Install the SOFTWARE on another computer only
if you change your main workstation. In such a case
you must uninstall the software from the old computer.
4. Use the SOFTWARE via a network, only if you
have purchased an adequate number of licenses.
The number of users must not exceed the number of
licenses you have purchased.
5. Make a copy of the SOFTWARE for archival purposes only.

Point #2 is what concerns myself (and I believe most of us).

What the heck happened? Is this an error? Now I ahve to subscribe to Object Desktop twice to use the applications on both my PCs??

Please read Reply #16 from Brad, the CEO/Owner of Stardock. You will have to wait until they can correct the issue, and as it is the weekend you will probably not hear anything until next week.