I already own Start 11
Stardock Forums
Is this how you operate now? I can't buy a product and know that it will be updated and maintained, but it will also be replaced with a different version of itself that you expect me to buy? WTF?
This sh*t again? Use the search function.
It would make sense if windows 12 came out, but this is nothing but scamming for money. Its the same fkn product for the same platform.
The list of changes from V1 to V2 is almost triple that of the Start8->Start11 changes. I mean ffs how much does a product have to change before it becomes worth the price of a damn soda?
Here is a list of the new features in Start11 version 2:
With Enhanced taskbar enabled
The list of changes from V1 to V2 is almost triple that of the Start8->Start11 changes. I mean ffs how much does a product have to change before it becomes worth the price of a damn soda?
This is not an UPDATE, it is an UPGRADE!
Directly from the Stardock EULA, to which you agreed when you installed the software for Start11v1.
From Section 4. b. "... all future generations of the Software and all whole number versions of the Software (i.e., version 5.0, version 6.0, etc.)developed and published from time to time in the future (a.) are not deemed to be Updates, and (b.) are not considered licensed Software to you, and, therefore, you will be required to purchase a new license or license subscription as a condition of upgrading the Software to any such new generation or version."
Start11 went from version 1.0 to version 2.0 as an UPGRADE.
@cryocore
All the information about the version upgrade and anything and everything related to that you can find in the forum by a simple search.
Phrases like this one "Stardock are proving to be utter scum here" and abbrevated swearing will not be tolerated. You can let your voice be heard, but keep it civil.
Consider this a warning or your posting rights may be removed.
It would need to be a different product. Improved versions of products are typically just that.
This ISNT new. Its the same fkn thing.
The assertion that improvements = a seperate purchase is idiotic.
Baldurs Gate 3. He latest version has LITERALLY thousands of improvements and changes from the original version. Should that now be purchased again for that?
Stardock are proving to be utter scum here. ITs the same bloody product that we purchase A LIFETIME LICENCE for. But they have broken that contract, and maybe it's time that was looked into because where I come from consumer protection is very strictly enforced.
As I said before you pay for functionality not a name. If they had renamed it would you still complain? It's also important to note that Start11 is not a "new" product because Start8 exists. They are both simply the same thing, a Start menu replacement. However Start11 has additional functionality. Enough so to warrant a new Upgrade. I will agree that the naming convention is probably not optimal. Perhaps it should have just been called "Start" from the, well, start and just had V1, V2, V3 ....
This line "The assertion that improvements = a seperate purchase is idiotic." is itself idiotic. V2 doesn't just add "improvements" it adds a lot more "new" functionality. If it weren't for upgrades then developers would simply write one version and stop. Then everyone would complain about how "XYZ app hasn't been updated in ABC years".
Easiest way to look at it is you pay for functionality. More functionality == more pay. You do NOT have to buy the new version btw you can just stay on V1 if you like.
EDIT:
I wish someone would put a sticky on this subject.
@cryocore: I think at this point the topic has been more than explained to you and to every other objector.
In fact, it has been beaten to death.
Since you have received all the answers and have seen all the changes justifying the increase in price, this thread is now closed.
It would need to be a different product. Improved versions of products are typically just that.
This ISNT new. Its the same fkn thing.
The assertion that improvements = a seperate purchase is idiotic.
Baldurs Gate 3. He latest version has LITERALLY thousands of improvements and changes from the original version. Should that now be purchased again for that?
Stardock are proving to be utter scum here. ITs the same bloody product that we purchase A LIFETIME LICENCE for. But they have broken that contract, and maybe it's time that was looked into because where I come from consumer protection is very strictly enforced.
I am sorry to hear you are upset about this, but this is entirely above board and Stardock are not acting in any unethical manner here.
Your lifetime license means your license is not a subscription one. I.e. it continues to work without us limiting it to work for a set period (like 12 months). Your Start11 v1 license continues to work and activate v1, v2 existing does not impact this. It does not mean (and never has) that you get all future updates, only those in the 1.x series. This is in all the EULA and the support documentation.
This is the business model Stardock have used for decades. WindowBlinds 1.x customers had to pay to upgrade to v2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 11 if they wished. It was optional. This is also how Photoshop 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, CS etc worked or Office 2016->Office 2022.
It is also worth noting that the number in the product name (Start11 / Start10 / Start8) is not tied to the OS itself. Start11 works on both Windows 10 and Windows 11. Start11 v2 also works on Win10 and Win11 and has a massive amount of new things.
Some companies have moved over to subscriptions for everything where your license works only as long as you keep paying. Upgrades are technically free but you have to keep paying to use the software. This seems unpopular with some people too.
Ultimately software development costs money and different companies are free to do whatever they wish. Some games for example fund future development from DLC or expansions or even microtransactions. Other companies like Microsoft may give away upgrades to Windows for free because they make their money from the other apps on the platform and need everyone to be on one platform to avoid fragmentation concerns.
No they aren't, no they haven't and look as hard as you like. I, too have a thorough understanding of 'your' Consumer Law as Mine's probably identical [NZ borrows a lot from AUS]. If the product you purchased suddenly failed to function you might have an issue. It hasn't, and in spite of Microsoft's continued changes to the OS the product is still supported [but STILL NOT for any form of so-called "early release" as you have been told more than once].
You as a consumer have the right to choose to buy, or not buy any new product offered. Start11 V2 is a new product as defined by the Vendor. Start11 V2 in no way affects the use or functionality of your existing purchased product.
Kindly choose, but please do NOT call anyone 'scum'. It is unwarranted.
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