For those worried about anything being dropped. As long as you archive all in SDC and back-up those archives you will always have them, forever.

1. TweakVista average as a utility.
2. WindowBlinds 6's new feature I really didn't use
3. SoundPackager - I'd didn't care for
4. Premium suites - necessary
5. IconPackager - I don't use
6. SkinStudio 6 - I don't use
7. ObjectBar - Whilst better than Vista's sidebar - I'm happy with the Vista sidebar
8. RightClick - Love this utility
9. DeskScapes - Fun, but gets boring after a while
10. LaunchPad - Not very good
11. Desktop X - I don't use
12. Premium skins - necessary

For me the premium skins / suites were the only components I got any use out of, so I still don't see much value in a subscription renewal.

Don't get me wrong. I really like stardock custom support and service - you guys are awesome. It just am starting to find ObjectDesktop a little old.

I have to say that all this is rather confusing and mind boggling for a new subscriber. I just barely bought OD so I don't have to worry about renwing for quite a long time. And by then I might have given Vista a try. Doubtful, but it's possible. I'm quite happy with XP and from experience through the years, I know it'll be at least a year before I'm ready to touch Vista with a ten foot pole, mine or anyone else's. It's simply not worth the hassle, the bugs, the incompatibilities, having to probably upgrade my machine and not to mention I get to pay an arm and leg for all this fun. No thanks.

I really like my XP and I really like OD. If, when the time comes to renew, the price from the current is only $5 more then I don't see what the big row is about, as long as there are still usable XP upgrades. If it all goes to Vista then no, it won't be worth my dime. I think it should be less about the $5 increase for renewal (or whatever it is going to be) than what we're getting for it in terms of upgrades for programs we use. Because, as I understand it, I'm not going to be out any money for the upgrade to Ultimate in March or whenever it gets released. There is no extra $20 charge. Only a slight increase of the renewel at the end of the subscription.

However, there is too much conjecture and personally my renew date is too far in the future for me to worry over.

On another note, I'd rather see the Premium content dropped and ObjectDock incorporated. Give me something I like as opposed to things I'll never use. The premuim WB and Suite included in OD are nice, just not what I would have chosen, or will ever use. So, for me, they weren't of any value at all. Not complaining though, as I didn't buy the suite expecting to get any Premium content at all. Getting to choose which ones I got would have been a great touch and added a bit more fun to the whole thing though.

Two cents worrh from a new customer.. at an ungodly early hour. So forgive me if it all doesn't make sense.

No complaints here..... and if the OD Ultimate renewal price is around 39 - 40 bucks, then it is still very good value and well worth the price. Anyone who thinks otherwise obviously has a math problem and concerns about having to dust the cobwebs off their wallets.

Same here... I cannot think of/do not know of any better value software anywhere. OK, so there are a couple of changes, but certainly nothing to complain about when considering the content included in the Ultimate package for an extra $5.00 or so.... $10.00 for the wife and I, but it'll be a no-brainer when it comes time to renew, we'll just do it.

I can't figure out why you bought Object Desktop in the first place.

It would be like someone complaining about being unhappy with a Playstation only to later learn that the person doesn't really like games much.

If you have Windows Vista, WindowBlinds 6 is pretty huge in terms of new features (WB 5.5 made WB 5 work on Vista, WB 6 skins the new parts of Vista both of which came out in 2007).  Sounds like you would have been better off just buying WindowBlinds.

Ah, I'm sorry. I didn't realize that this thread was meant as a self affirming moment for Stardock, WinCustomize and its long time customers.... customers that won't pay the price for these changes. I was under the illusion that opinions were welcome when in fact they were not. At least not ones that do not match your own. Please, feel free to raise the price all you want without further complaining from me. I won't be submitting either. I will be sharing this experience however.

"After 6 months" I can presume that many of you are full of yourselves and not open to criticism. If you cannot respect new members and their opinions, it will hurt you in the end. Especially with a 40% price increase. You don't give a damn, so I don't either. I'm not going to lose any money with these changes. My sites will not suffer & I do not rely on "good will" submissions from people - who's opinions I will ridicule in return. I no longer believe this price increase is a bad idea. I think this increase will put these sites right where they need to be financially & submission wise.

From this point on I will only take, not give. That includes deleting my submissions.
(Only 2 so no worries from me.)
Maybe now you can put that shotgun away xscorpx

Happy New Year to all of you.

I think someone needs to reply to this as you appear confused and your statements are misleading people. We have so far as a recap:

1) Current users of Object Desktop will be upgraded to Ultimate free
2) Renewals after that will cost $4.95 extra
3) If you renew now, you pay the old price

If you choose not to renew now, the future increase is just over 12% - very low over a period extending from 1996 to 2008, and not taking into account all the extra applications now included in ObjectDesktop which didn't exist in 1996. Sounds like excellent value to me!

As for not accepting criticism or not respecting new members or their opinions, that simply isn't true. Go ahead and criticize all you want. The problem is, you are presenting opinions based on false facts. You can't really expect that to go unanswered, can you? 

I'll assume you accept I am entitled to an opinion? Object Desktop, to me, still represents the best value for money of any software I have bought.

It must be truly baffling and disheartening for the folks at Stardock to read some of the comments made in this thread. But I'll assume they expect, as a business, that some folk will stick the boot in regardless of what is said or done, and carry on. There's not much else you can do in that situation.

At the end of the day if you don't think its good value or you're not getting anything out of it, buy something else! Its your choice, no-one is forcing anyone to do anything

ok all I see is their offering 2 package deals,, one will be more $.. but hey why aren't these guys allowed a little raise? SD hasn't raised a price in what ever? Not to mention over the years the content levels have gone up, as well as the quality/stability of the programs. They are willing to upgrade most of use who are already Subscribers for free,or at a reduced rate to reward our past loyalty.

But yes lets begrudge them a few bucks a year, and throw a tantrum.



shakes his head as he walks away. **how sad**

You are entitled to your own opinions. You are not entitle dto your own facts.

Your complaints are based on a false premise. The Object Desktop of today is going to become Object Desktop Ultimate and ODNT users will be migrated to that version free of charge.

There is no foundation for your complaints.

Please note 'Zubish' is the correct term.

I got kicked from IRC for inventing it...