Object Desktop compatibility Why is it all over the place?

Published on October 25, 2007 By MetalHellssAngel In OS Customization

What is up with inconsistency of Operation System compatibility? I mean you place all these great programs in a nice package like Object Desktop but then Unless you have windows XP x86 Your bound to run into a problem where you can't use one or more of the programs? I personally can name several programs off the list which I can't use all because I have a copy of windows vista 64 bit. Then questions get asked and no answers are given. Just look at the list and you'll see what I mean.

Windowblinds:
- Windows Vista (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Windows XP (32-bit)
- Windows 2003 (32-bit)
Icon Packager:
- Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista (32-bit)(corrupts the icons on vista 64 bit)
WindowFX:
- Windows 32-bit XP/2003 (most features are also functional on 64-bit XP/2003 as well) (Won't even load on vista 64 bit)
Skin Studio:
- Windows Vista (32-bit and 64-bit) and Windows XP/2003
Icon Developer:
- Windows 2000/XP/2003 (I can get this to work ok but the icons don't look very nice)
Object Bar:
- Windows XP/2003 (Works but doesn't import windowblinds 6 skins)
Theme Manager:
- Windows XP/2003
DesktopX:
- Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista (appears to work fine)
IconX:
- Windows 2000/XP/2003 (Won't even load on vista 64 bit)
RightClick:
- Windows 2000/XP (I can only get it to work partially on vista 64 bit)
Virtual Desktops: (Won't work On vista 64 bit)
- Windows 2000/XP/2003
Logon Studio:
- Windows XP for XP edition, Windows Vista (32-bit, 64-bit) for Vista edition
Keyboard LaunchPad:
- Windows 98/ME/2000/XP/Vista (32-bit)
So half the programs I paid to use don't work for me. Something really should be done about this, at least state your intentions and let your users know if there are any plans to fix these inconsistencies.

Comments

ZubaZ

on Oct 25, 2007

I think it's a case of choosing what will give the users the biggest bang for the buck.

What OS are most of the users using?
What version of the OS?
What apps are the most popular?
What apps are the easiest to convert?

Throw all the SD apps into that ven diagram and you come up with a pretty good argument for the order in which SD releases upgrades.

I am sure that if Stardock had unlimited resources they'd be all things to all people but in the real world a business has to pick and chose what to do in what order. I think the fringe users have to move to the back of the line for SD to remain viable.

Having said all that I further believe that there are very few companies that are as connected to their customers as Stardock. I think that their history shows that they do their best to take care of the customers they have. I'd expect that in the future too.

BTW, nice synopsis of apps and OS versions..

Philly0381

on Oct 25, 2007

I can understand your frustration with the current versions of software not working on a 64bit machine. I've not read every post here dealing with the problems because I'm on a 32bit machine running XP Home.

In the posts that I have read Stardock has given reasons for the slow adoption to 64bit version of OS's. It's not what folks want to hear but it is a business decision. I don't believe they have ever said that they won't support 64bit or atleast that's the impression that I have come away with.

I'm just a user of Object Desktop and don't represent Stardock. Hopefully one of the staff will see this and provide you an answer to why the slow implementation for 64bit support.

MetalHellssAngel

on Oct 25, 2007

Well that's what I'm hoping by writing the article, that it will be seen, as Iv already opened a support ticket but didn't get a "real" answer as I was told it wasn't their department. I don't want to sound like a whiny baby I'm just simply wanting an answer and feel like I'm not getting any. I can be patient. I would just like some kind of estimate or at least to know what the future holds of the 64 bit and stardock relationship thats all.

ZubaZ

on Oct 25, 2007

'm just simply wanting an answer and feel like I'm not getting any.

I would just like some kind of estimate or at least to know what the future holds of the 64 bit and stardock relationship thats all.

To paraphrase my Uncle Han, "[Software Development] isn't like dusting crops, boy!"

Zoomba

on Oct 25, 2007

And it's very difficult to give estimates or timelines, since something always comes up. In general, if we say "Product X" will be released sometime "next summer" and then some major event comes up that pushes back development, we tend to have people up in arms over the delay.

We're working as quickly as we can to get everything up to date.

MetalHellssAngel

on Oct 26, 2007

Thanks for your reply Zoomba, at least I now know that there will eventually be compatible software, I was really starting to wonder.

Angel

ZubaZ

on Oct 26, 2007

Thanks for your reply Zoomba

No one ever thanks "good ol' Zubaz"
That's OK . . I do it for the chil'ren.

MetalHellssAngel

on Oct 26, 2007

Sorry Zubaz I meant thank everyone who posted but I got phone call mid-typing..lmao...Don't worry Your not being ignored thanks a bunch

I do appreciate you as well

ZubaZ

on Oct 26, 2007

Zubaz puts down the twinkies he was going to drown his sorrows in

No worries. Just teasing. And let's face it, Zoomba knows more than me. (But I'm better looking)

AStardockUser

on Oct 30, 2007

We're working as quickly as we can to get our software working on as wide a platform as possible. Like Zubaz said above, we have to do a certain amount of triage on our rather long list of products to determine which to update when, and for what platforms.
And it's very difficult to give estimates or timelines, since something always comes up. In general, if we say "Product X" will be released sometime "next summer" and then some major event comes up that pushes back development, we tend to have people up in arms over the delay.
We're working as quickly as we can to get everything up to date.

While we all appreciate the effort it takes to put together software working on as wide as platform as possible, that does not really resolve the issue for those of us not running XP 32 bit, although you would think the solution is really simple: Stardock Central should query the OS and only list applications compatible with that OS as available for downloading and installing. If we can't get this, how about a regularly updated web page instead listing each available application and it's current compatibility status.

Thanks.

MetalHellssAngel

on Oct 30, 2007

I must say I agree with Mr. Kash a regularly updated page would make sense just so people don't feel like they are in the dark.

ZubaZ

on Oct 30, 2007

It makes sense to a user but maybe not to the developer and the corporation.

Missed deadlines happen. And no matter what you might say, when deadlines or milestones or estimated dates get missed, someone gets pissed.

Software developmentisn't like making a ship in a bottle (something I did with my daughter the other day). things happen.

I'd rather they keep the schedule vague and do what they have to do. It's their business; they are the experts. I use what I can as I can. Good enough for me.

MetalHellssAngel

on Nov 01, 2007

Well I was thinking something along the lines a web page that just says where they are in development there doesn't have to be a particular deadline mentioned just something that notes that it is in fact being developed or on hold (ie planning phase) or No plans currently. I mean that doesn't really hold anybody to anything but it at least makes the customers feel informed.

aufisch

on Nov 01, 2007

regularly updated page would make sense just so people don't feel like they are in the dark.

I actually agree with that. Missing deadlines are not so much of a problem, we all like software that works, so if it takes a couple of weeks/months longer.....well we can all live with that.

It's the fact that new components are often not clearly labelled wether they work with all or just certain Versions of Windows, combined with the fact that often the history-files are not updated (depending on the OD-comoponent/lead developer), that makes our life hard.

A sticky post with "developper news" containing the newest deadline-estimates and info about current projects and compatiblities would be great.

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