As is often commented when folks talk about the end of a popular era, the only thing in life that is constant is change.

So often we as individuals look at something like desktop customization and tend to put more significance to it because we like it.  I think if the community replies they will talk about desktop customizing more as a niche type activity then one for the total computer base.  Lets face it, most folks look for results versus style.

Through the years Microsoft has not made Stardock's job easier with the changes and yes improvements to the Windows Operating System, there have been lots with Windows 8 being the most current.

The list of SD desktop software that has come and gone is chock full of community favorites like DesktopX, Right Click, Object Bar and others.  There are still several left that make desktop customization an enjoyable activity with community members making skins for them.

In my opinion, looking for a cemetery plot is just a little premature at the moment.  Something tells me the sun can just be seen coming up on the horizon on a new day, and for my self, I want to hang around and see what it brings.   

I agree redneck that window blinds is an important component but it is not

the mainstay. I don't think any one program is the mainstay. my own feelings

were window blinds, icon packager, sound packager, object dock, and good old

right click. ( I was fond of right click. why they buried that is beyond me)

made up the core of desktop customising. and who can forget icon x?

now all but window blinds is deceased, stardock seems to be focusing on

windows metro. I don't see what you can do with metro apart from what

decor8 and launch8 do. namely, change the background and add a poor man's

version of object dock to the metro screen.

I am pretty confident that when windows 9 comes along, and certainly by windows 10

that even window blinds will die the death, and probably start8 too.

some may not agree with me, but the evidence is out there that proves it.

even winstep xtreme has been abandoned, not seeing a minor or major update since

march 2012. I therefore take no notice about reminders to renew my subs to it.

object desktop and others have given me a lot of pleasure, but those days are no over

and I don't think they are coming back.

if stardock are still interested in desktop customising, then why has right click, icon x

icon packager and sound packager all died? the simple answer is they have no desire to

keep those programs going, not even for loyal users.

shame really. 3planesoft, the kings of screensavers, have also waned. seems to me there

is an apathy now and that is not going to change.

if I could work my will, all the good old programs from yesteryears object desktop would

be made compatible with 8 and all future windows releases unless, perish the thought,

Microsoft finally go ga-ga and do away fully with the desktop.

I wish there was another way, but I wont be renewing anymore. maybe the first

commentator will be right, I hope he is, that good things are coming.

I hope he is right.

Things I have seen before (paraphrased):

"Vista looks so cool it will surely be the death of Stardock."

"Win7 looks so cool it will surely be the death of Stardock."

"Win8 is such a mess it will surely be the death of Stardock."

Well they just keep on going.    They evolve, just like any survivor does. Ya there are a lot of software pieces that have fallen off that many of us would have liked to have seen kept up.  Problem is, I'm sure, that to keep those pieces going as any sort of a "product", they have to be maintained and have resources poured into them.  What was once an asset becomes something of a liability, kind of like that old car that keeps needing work.  Recently Windowblinds has had to be patched once (or was it twice?) because of MS Win8 patches.  There is only so much baggage that can be carried around.

Stardock does what it does, I've learned not to second-guess them or try to make predictions. 

Yup. I'm paid up till 12/2016.   I have faith.