mclab, do you believe this deserves more detail or its own line item?

https://support.stardock.com/space/SHC/1496285185/What+is+an+Object+Desktop+Subscription

Sean Drohan
Stardock Product Lifecycle Manager

@sdRohan

As always, thank you for reply and follow-up.

I think the updates to that document and the Stardock Software Subscriptions document have been immensely helpful. 

But, yes.  I think there is a percentage of current Classic Subscription users - and it may even be a large percentage - who may want things defined just a bit more to cover the example I cited or similar situation.  

Not to divulge any personal information but @Narusegawa Naru mentioned earlier in this thread that all of their "purchases have always been done with burner cards".  So, the auto-renewal option may not be ideal in that situation.  @Narusegawa Naru may want to cancel before the auto-renewal and then wait a few months before doing a renewal of their Classic Subscription, if that will still be possible.   All the while with the understanding that during the lapse period, no updates or downloads of applications under Object Desktop would be possible, but that installed applications will continue to work (but cannot be updated) and downloads of updated installers will be prohibited during the lapse period (but that installations and activations using previously downloaded installers will still work). 

The update or the expounded definition of Object Desktop Classic might be as simple as:

An Object Desktop Classic Subscription will always be considered a Classic Subscription, even if it lapses more than once during its lifetime.  Should your Classic subscription lapse, you will always have the option to Renew in the future.

That is essentially how Object Classic Subscription operated prior to June 2023, and I think there are some users who want to make sure that same "spirit" will be existing going forward. 

The big difference between the original and how the new Object Desktop Classic is the automatic renewal. 

Which is a great convenience for many.  But others may want to know do they have more granular control whilst still retaining their Classic Subscription.  Not everyone's finances are the same, of course, so those customers knowing they are still valued and grandfathered into the updated Classic Subscription model with the option to cancel and renew on their own terms (whatever those may be) is likely very important to them.

It is true that I only use prepaid cards that I purchase for individual online purchases in mind. Typically I keep one card that I load when I plan on making a purchase. I do not like auto opt in services. I would prefer to have to opt in manually myself. When it comes to my money I'm in charge.

All that being said I still can not live w/o my Stardock subscription. I can't even remember a time where I didn't install at least 3 (or more) apps. So I'm up for renewal in May and I guess we will see what happens then.

One thing I would like to note is that I never got any kind of notice. Neither here nor in my email. I typically get emails about products (mostly ones I already own) but never saw one about the sub changes. I made sure all Stardock emails are whitelisted and I do check my junk folder often so I'm sure it wasn't just missed. 

I have mostly moved to Mac, so I suppose it's goodbye Stardock once my subs expire.

It was a good run, while it lasted.

I agree Jim, I'm glad I'm done with skinning, I don't want no part of "auto-renewal" I'd like to decide my payment method, that's if I read the subject of this Forum correctly. I too will let my subscription lapse, as I am strictly a Mac person now.   

well from those of us who use and like your works let me just say thanks and sorry to see you go.

Jim, Donnie...I hear you can still logon with a Mac, so don't lose touch or else my Super Wizapper Space Laser will zero in on youse guys...

Quoting DrJBHL, reply 32

Jim, Donnie...I hear you can still logon with a Mac, so don't lose touch or else my Super Wizapper Space Laser will zero in on youse guys...

LMAO!!!

You are welcome, and I'm glad that you like my work, thank you.   

Quoting DrJBHL, reply 32

Jim, Donnie...I hear you can still logon with a Mac, so don't lose touch or else my Super Wizapper Space Laser will zero in on youse guys...

Yes, Doc I can do that, as a matter of fact, I'm typing this on my Mac now. LMAO   

I'll leave a candle in the window...and prob end up burning the Mod shack down. Jafo'll kill me for sure.     

I also received no e-mail announcement regarding these changes.

I have a Classic Subscription from 2019 that is currently expired/lapsed, and received a renewal discount offer.  Upon using the link from that e-mail, there was mention of "Object Desktop Renewal (Subscription); Renews every year . Next charge: $19.99 on Jul XX, 2024" on one of the pages it lead to.  This was news to me, so I did some reading from the pinned "Object Desktop Support FAQ" thread, did some searching and reading on the forum, found a thread where discussion was taking place about these changes, and asked three questions in it for clarification(s). 

Quoting don5318, reply 30

I agree Jim, I'm glad I'm done with skinning, I don't want no part of "auto-renewal" I'd like to decide my payment method, that's if I read the subject of this Forum correctly. I too will let my subscription lapse, as I am strictly a Mac person now.   

If I am reading everything correctly and fully understanding how things will work for Classic Subscriptions moving forward, then the premise laid out and asked about in this post should be a viable option for keeping a Classic Subscription but being in more granular control of when renewal payments are actually taking place. 

@sdRohan is welcome to correct that premise that was posted, if it is somehow incorrect.

As noted, its not a 'big' difference, its the only difference

Other than the product being billed automatically henceforth via a ‘renew’ or ‘extend’, no other characteristics of the Classic product will change.

For the ‘Classic’ Object Desktop product, if the subscription lapses, the included software will continue to function at the versions that were available when the subscription lapsed.

https://support.stardock.com/space/SHC/1496285185/What+is+an+Object+Desktop+Subscription

There is no situation that can be posited where a Classic Subscription loses its designation or well-established attributes. 

Sean Drohan
Stardock Product Lifecycle Manager

Ok, a question.  I have (own?)  Multiplicity KVM 3 and Multiplicity KVM Pro.   How are these affected IF my subscription lapse?  When I purchased these, they were not a part of Object Desktop.  I even have 2 subs (serial keys) for the KVM Pro.

I also have 2 subs/keys for CursorFX Plus, also purchased before it was included in Object Desktop. 

How are these affected?

Also, let me say that I am retired without a big income. Automatic anything causes me overdraft fees with my bank.  Auto renewal is a huge no.

I think as long as no Multiplicity 4 is in sight, You are good to go.

KVM and KVM Pro are not part of OD and never have been, only KM is.

CFX(4) was never a 'sub' on its own. That it was included within (and you activated with) your OD Classic sub will have it behave \ activate as it always has regardless if the sub is active or lapsed.

Again, if you have an Object Desktop Classic sub, the only thing that is changing is how it is billed, full stop.

Sean Drohan
Stardock Product Lifecycle Manager

To be clear, if I renew my Classic sub, does it go auto renew going forward, or no?  I don't mean to keep on, but this thread isn't crystal clear, at least not to me.

Yes my take away is that it does become auto pay. No other changes.

What do ‘Renew’, ‘Extend’, and ‘Subscription’ mean on my account page for Object Desktop? 

‘Renew’ will be shown on an Object Desktop Classic subscription if it is allowed to lapse.

‘Extend’ will show if an Object Desktop Classic subscription is still active and allows clients to ‘extend’ the time.

‘Subscription' is the option for managing an Object Desktop Subscription’s billing options.

As of June 2023, when either Renew or Extend is utilized, the billing will be changed from manual to automatic. After automatic payments are set up, those buttons will be replaced with a ‘Subscription’ one where clients can manage it.

https://support.stardock.com/space/SHC/1496285185/What+is+an+Object+Desktop+Subscription#Object-Desktop-FAQ

Sean Drohan
Stardock Product Lifecycle Manager

So, it's either let it lapse, or go auto renew/extend.   Nah.  Not for me.  Thanks for the explanation.

EDIT:      How does all this affect a standalone app.  Like if I only want Windowblinds?   

My understanding is unless the app is a subscription then nothing changes as there is nothing to renew.

I think whilst object desktop would go to auto renew, you are able to set it to do not renew again after renewing it if you wish.

Yes, all Subscription services must have an opt-out system.  Consumer Law demands no less.

The "auto renew" process is simply the easy way for most customers who actually do renew annually...;)