Personally, I think this is an excellent idea ...

When I purchased the ODesktop, I was wondering then, why it wasn't like this- in packages.

They make more money this way; and we get a few more things...after all, isn't that what it's all about... Business.

If you add all the items as stand alone programs, your total amount is way over $70.00. It's just smarter to purchase the whole package (unless you just intend on using one thing out of it) even if you don't intend on using all the items that you've purchased, as time goes by, you just might....and if you do- decide to, there it is..and automatically updated, as needed.

And just in case, it's still in the works, about the 3 MyColors premium themes, from package 1....There should be an addition, where you should be able to choose the 3 themes that you'd like, from a selected list, right before purchase. That would give the customer more selection and make them feel that they're getting more for their money, which will also make it a more personal purchase, and in return, a repeat customer.

~ Merry Christmas ~

Please, no more than this, I like that price since it's about what I pay now

I'm an addict. I can't imagine NOT having OD so I'll continue. Besides, the product is certainly worth the price inn't?

You came to this party and now you don't want to dance, imagine that!  Oh, can I ask if you shelled out the money for Vista?   

I think a lot of what you're saying is fair enough.

I also think it's consistent for me to post as an individual, that I find Stardock prices have traditionally been good value for money overall...............

.......and at the same time, as a community member with an interest in seeing new skinners from all backgrounds encouraged - it's also consistent for me to post expressing a concern that a year from now (while recognising there is a free version), some of those potential skinners, who might otherwise have been able to afford SkinStudio Professional, may because of it's repositioning, find the proposed new price point more challenging.

I don't think that's an unkind or aggressively anti-Stardock viewpoint.

It seems like everytime someone calls a software package "Ultimate", you can expect to take it in the bloomers. Less for more. Yay. The only program I use in your "Ultimate" is Right Click and I'm certainly not going to fork over an extra $20 for that alone. I was planning to learn & use SkinStudio but I'm not going to pay extra money in hopes of providing you with free content. The addition of "My Colors" appears more to a benefit of Stardock than anyone else. I don't want it. I don't follow college sports. The only color I want is green and you want to take that from me.

Draginol said - "I also think some people desperately need to go and look at how much things cost and then come back and argue that Object Desktop isn't a great deal."

....again, most companies don't rely on user submitted content the way that this one does.

Judging from the tone that this topic has taken I'm pretty sure that this post will not be recieved well but I don't care. I really don't see any benefits with the so called "Ultimate". This is a lot less for 40% more, announced right before Xmas. I really like this stuff but there are alternatives to a lot of it. If & when the software that I have paid for ceases to work, I will use those alternatives. Apparently I've purchased all the virtual product that I'm going to from Microdock or Starsoft or whatever you've become.

Scold all of the paying customers that you want...this will cost you money & content in the long run. I'm new to all of this. I can only imagine what long time customers & skinners must {really} think about this.

~ Have a Christmas   

Well, I sure would, as it is the most useful Stardock-Program for me.



That's 5$ more for two new components. Not an unreasonable price increase. Especially not since OD has remained at the same price for ages (I believe this is the first price increase since I subscribed for the first time approx. 6? years ago)....



...... 2 cents from a long time customer.

I don't give a hoot since the renew price is about the same

What a bunch of bloody whingers,your going on about price for how many apps are you getting in a single package there's around 27 apps divide that by revised price for ultimate it works out at around $2.60 for each app,then there's the member gallery which contains thousands of skins & are free,some of which are so dam good we all should pay for the skinners time,so give it a rest already & be thankful the price is still in US dollars & not Euro's , *loads scoped shotgun*

Suck it up folks...buisness is buisness! I'm with you on this one xscorpx.......

Vista is a joke. Until microsoft allows it to be compatable with XP`s programs, it`s kind of like OD '08 not really worth the price or effort.

Object Desktop has remained the same price since its December 4, 1999 launch date when it included just Control Center, Tab LaunchPad, IconPackager, and WindowBlinds.

Since existing customers automatically get Object Desktop Ultimate, I fail to see how existing customers can argue they're somehow getting treated poorly.

A big reason to create the two packages was one of marketing.  Over the years, as Object Desktop has grown and grown in features, the ability to get it reviewed or covered in magazines has gotten reduced because it's become so unwieldly.

Moreover, we wanted to move towards providing more content to Object Desktop users but that comes at an increased expense.

I don't mind the price hike, but at this stage its not clear whether there's enough new components/features to warrant renewal.

I really don't like subscription based software as it feels like its just new veneer with more of the same under the hood. I renewed last year based on Stardock's GalCiv2 after sales enhancements and expansion packs. This year I don't see any real benefit - yet.

Well, let's say you renewed one year ago today.  What did you get for your $34.95?

1. TweakVista. A new $19.95 program.
2. WindowBlinds 6. A $14.95 upgrade from WindowBlinds 5 and adds a ton of new features.
3. SoundPackager. A new $19.95 program.
4. Object Desktop Premium Suites. A $8 value.
5. IconPackager 3.2. Windows Vista support added including Live folders (the only program that exists that can do this).
6. SkinStudio 6 Pro (beta).
7. ObjectBar 2.1 (Vista support added).
8. RightClick 1.2 (Vista support added).
9. DeskScapes
10. Keyboard LaunchPad 1.6 (Vista support)
11. DesktopX 3.49 (beta) (Vista support)
12. Premium skins for Object Desktop users ($5)

If you have Windows Vista, I think the value is pretty obvious.

If you still have Windows XP, then it's a matter of which programs you use.  WindowBlinds 6 is a pretty big deal. If you didn't have WindowBlinds stand-alone, you benefited by $20. SoundPackager depends on whether you use it or not.  Premium suites I think are pretty obvious. Plus the aforementioned updates did have new features for both XP and Vista. 

But I think in either case, a substantial value was provided.

And in 2008, even bigger things are in the works for Object Desktop users.

 

The Breakdown from an XP perspective



WHITE = Products that will still be offered for current price
RED = Must pay 40% to have &/or keep
YELLOW = Apparently Removed
* This uses the list provided in the original post by Draginol

I use XP & have no plans on moving to Vista. This restructuring of the software is clearly a benefit to Vista users, but for XP users it's stripping them of a large group of programs. This means the only solution is to pay for a bunch of Vista programs that I don't want & will probably never use....just to keep the programs that I have now, that work with XP. Even if XP users payed the extra $20 we will apparently be losing a large amount of programs. I don't understand how that translates as a "good deal" by anyone's standards.


Under what business model is this kind of comment acceptable? This should have been removed immediately & the person dealt with! Especially considering all of the shooting incidents this country has endured this year.