Confused about this subscription model

subscription

from Stardock Forums

I have been a long time user of Object Desktop since 2002. I just renewed it (from the Object Desktop menu) and paid the renewal. For some reason after doing so OD has a button now saying to buy it, also looking at license info in OD it is now saying that updates and supports ends 1/23/24 which makes no sense, since the receipt I received from Startdock says 12/23/24 (a year later). I re-installed the latest OD thinking it might fix it but it didn't also checking for updates doesn't work, it keeps telling me to check again later.

Now I am finding that I didn't renew it but somehow got into a subscription model which I hate. I do not like being forced into anything especially when it expires or canceling, the programs will stop working, it's one thing for no support or updates but to stop working. 

Reading thru here I am even more confused not knowing if I am getting upset over nothing because it sounds like if you are a previous user of OD you will not stop the program from working this only applies to new users, can you please confirm this. Also please help me with the OD showing buy when I already paid for it and the upgrade issue.

Thank you.

object desktop
21,496 views 9 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

Under your downloads, what you are looking for is the words, "classic subscription" under your download version of object desktop. As long as it says "classic subscription" you will be fine and everything will be the same as it always has been. The only change is now classic subscriptions have an auto renewal.

If for some reason you do not see, "classic subscription" then you will want to create a support ticket to get that fixed. Since you are a long time subscriber you should be on the classic model.

Additionally you can click on the words "classic subscription" under your downloads to see what exactly has changed

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Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

Just so i'm clear on this as well. Assuming our image looks like this 

We will retain the current versions of all the included software(s) available at the time of subscription lapse?

Does it matter if they are installed or not at the time of lapse? Say we never got around to trying out deskscapes while the sub was active and we want to but after the sub became inactive for whatever reason, we could install whatever version was current when we lapsed?

Does it matter if the software(s) are/were installed via object desktop manager or if we installed the standalone versions?

Lets say we reformat our PC, would we just continue to use the same universal/object desktop serial key issued to re-activate them (after the same hypothetical lapse in subscription)?

Finally what happens should we decide to again re-subscribe to object desktop in the future. one would pick right back up where they left off and all the same rules would apply assuming you were grandfathered in to the classic version?

The Political Machine 2024
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello Klepp0906,

Let me try to answer your questions.

Under Classic Subscription model.

Quoting klepp0906, reply 2

We will retain the current versions of all the included software(s) available at the time of subscription lapse?
End of klepp0906's quote

Yes, as long as you download and save which ever version available for you while the subs is active. Those installer should still work and will activate using your ODM keys.

Quoting klepp0906, reply 2

Does it matter if they are installed or not at the time of lapse? Say we never got around to trying out deskscapes while the sub was active and we want to but after the sub became inactive for whatever reason, we could install whatever version was current when we lapsed?
End of klepp0906's quote

Yes, you should be able to install and activate it, even if your subs has lapse. Provided you have those saved downloaded version to install with.

Quoting klepp0906, reply 2

Does it matter if the software(s) are/were installed via object desktop manager or if we installed the standalone versions?
End of klepp0906's quote

No, does not matter if you install via ODM or direct download version.

Quoting klepp0906, reply 2

Lets say we reformat our PC, would we just continue to use the same universal/object desktop serial key issued to re-activate them (after the same hypothetical lapse in subscription)?
End of klepp0906's quote

Yes, it should still work.

Quoting klepp0906, reply 2

Finally what happens should we decide to again re-subscribe to object desktop in the future. one would pick right back up where they left off and all the same rules would apply assuming you were grandfathered in to the classic version?
End of klepp0906's quote

It should continue as classic subs model and you will get to download again directly from the product page whatever latest version available at that time.

What most important is that once the subs lapse you can not download anything from your product page or via ODM. You will need to use what ever installer your saved while your subs still active.

Hope that answer your questions.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

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Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

Thank you basj, that clears it all up for me!

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

There's still something unclear for me. If I let the "Classic Subscription", which is currently offering me to be extended, to expire, will I still be able to reactivate the Classic Subscription again let's say a month after it has expired?

 

I mean, it used to be like that, that if I let it expire, I can still use all the software and then, when some new upgrade appeared which was worth it, then I could reactivate the subscription for a year and this way I would get access to all new software versions.

 

I ask because I fear that if I let it expire I might then get forced into getting a "NEW" subscription which falls under the new ("you own nothing") model.

 

The FAQ at https://support.stardock.com/space/SHC/1496285185/What+is+an+Object+Desktop+%26+Subscription+Software states that "‘Renew’ will be shown on an Object Desktop Classic subscription if it is allowed to lapse." which gives the impression that it is totally fine to let the Classic subscription expire, that it can then be reactivated as an "OLD" classic subscription which retains ownership, which is what I want.

 

I only use the OD subscription only for Fences and Start11, and I don't mind not upgrading immediately to a new version of either of the two products as soon as an upgrade is available, so I'd be ok with leaving the Classic subscription expired for half a year or so, which is how I've been doing it.

Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting soundlinker, reply 5

There's still something unclear for me. If I let the "Classic Subscription", which is currently offering me to be extended to become expired, will I still be able to reactivate the Classic Subscription again let's say a month after it has expired?

 

I mean, it used to be like that, that if I let it expire, I can still use all the software and then, when some new upgrade appeared which was worth it, then I could reactivate the subscription for a year and this way I would get access to all new software versions.

 

I ask because I fear that if I let it expire I might then get forced into getting a "NEW" subscription which falls under the new ("you own nothing") model.

 

The FAQ at https://support.stardock.com/space/SHC/1496285185/What+is+an+Object+Desktop+%26+Subscription+Software states that "‘Renew’ will be shown on an Object Desktop Classic subscription if it is allowed to lapse." which gives the impression that it is totally fine to let the Classic subscription expire, that it can then be reactivated as an "OLD" classic subscription which retains ownership, which is what I want.

 

I only use the OD subscription only for Fences and Start11, and I don't mind not upgrading immediately to a new version of either of the two products as soon as an upgrade is available, so I'd be ok with leaving the Classic subscription expired for half a year or so, which is how I've been doing it.
End of soundlinker's quote

 

"It should continue as classic subs model and you will get to download again directly from the product page whatever latest version available at that time."

You may have missed that.

Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top

Thanks for your response.

So this means that an expired Classic subscription can be reactivated at any time, even in two years, and it will still retain the status of an OLD Classic subscription, allowing me to "refresh" the versions of the products I now own and will then still continue to own?

Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting qwerty324, reply 7

So this means that an expired Classic subscription can be reactivated at any time, even in two years, and it will still retain the status of an OLD Classic subscription, allowing me to "refresh" the versions of the products I now own and will then still continue to own?
End of qwerty324's quote

That is the current business model. If you have a classic subscription as of right now, then you will always have the classic subscription as long as you choose to "renew" your old / lapsed subscription. This means that as long as the current business model remains intact then yes you will still have the classic subscription, even if you wait two years to renew. I just renewed an expired classic subscription myself and it was an easy process.