Impulse

You're free to delete it once you've installed Fences.......

There is nothing wrong with Impulse at all, I have it installed on my system but I stopped it from running at start-up. It creates no problems with my system, and I run it occasionally to check for updates, or to chat on IRC.

If you bought a new computer from a large company and their preferred method of delivery was in a van, would you complain about that van invading your street?

Just delete it and don't worry about it! B[]

BoXXi is correct. I did not want Impulse on my computer and kept uninstalling it. Lotta work so I just left it on my computer. Absoutely no problems at all. It is even easier to check for updates.

So you are saying download and install Impulse, install Fences via Impulse, delete Impulse.

And then when there is an update to Fences, re-download and re-install Impulse, update Fences via Impulse, delete Impulse again.

And you don't see that as a pain in the neck?

Again, I can see if you have a bunch of the Stardock stuff installed, it could be nice to manage it with, like Steam. But for a single utility, it's ridiculous. And I totally understand that I can uninstall it or turn off ads, etc. I'm merely casting my vote to the company that I don't like it and would like to just have Fences as a single standalone app as an option.

Stardock sell thousands of computer games and hundreds of software titles, so Impulse makes complete sense. Do you ever go to Ebay? Are there not ads all over the front page of Ebay? Are there not ads on MOST big companies websites? At least Stardock let you decide whether you see them or not......

Stardock are a big company in their field, it's just good business sense for them to have an application like Impulse. You can cast as many votes as you like and you will still remain in the minority. I'm certain millions of computers have Impulse installed, and if you don't like it, simply delete it. A 22Mb program is hardly an inconvenience in these days of massive hard drives, so that is not even an issue. I think people are just too sensitive about their computers these days, which is understandable to an extent, but Stardock are a reputable company just trying sell their wares. I suggest you look at Impulse in greater depth, and without the attitude that someone is trying to do something bad to you, and maybe then you will see that it's actually a great tool.

The above is merely my opinion, I have no affiliation with Stardock other than I really like their software, and the people who work at the company.

B[]

BoXXi...100%.

Look, bit-101... Impulse isn't going to go away. It sits on your computer and unless you have microscopic RAM and a miniscule disk, you'll never know it's there. It isn't malware or spyware or adware. You can opt out of deals notification.

So what's the problem? I think you've got too much time on your hands.

Opt in or opt out. Whatever. It's all been explained ad nauseum.

As I've said, I've voiced my opinion. They can act on it or not. No need to get defensive about it.

Not so much defensive as having to explain it so many times. Impulse actually helps keep your purchases and what have you in order and provides a view of all that you have pertaining to Stardock products. I have Impulse and it is nonintrusive plus keeps me up to date on new and upcoming products, updates and so on. So ........ keep it or toss it. Up to you but complaining about it is an exercise in futility.

I"m not asking it to be explained to me. I completely understand how it works and all of my options. I haven't been rude or offensive, as others who have come on posting in all caps, flaming about the issue. I've merely provided my feedback, which should be valuable. 

"So ........ keep it or toss it. Up to you but complaining about it is an exercise in futility." 

I wholeheartedly disagree. Providing feedback as a user about what you like or don't like about a product should not be an exercise in futility, but a vital resource that any company should welcome and seek out, not ignore or defend against.

bit-101, I understand what you are saying, and yes, you have a right to speak and to be heard.

One thing I think gets overlooked in all these Impulse discussion threads is that, unless I'm mistaken, Impulse is also Stardock's way of combatting the use of stolen software. It's not JUST an installer/updater.

As for the point that Impulse is larger than the software it supports, Impulse supports much more than just Fences. Now, if it were all about you, you'd have a point. But it isn't. Millions of people use Stardock products, and most of them use several products.  Yes you paid for a product, but most of Stardock's products, if not all, plainly state in the system requirements that Impulse is required. So you agreed to Impulse when you bought the software.

Now you'll have to agree that Stardock has a right to protect it's software, and it is usually safe to assume that how they do it is their choice. We may not like the way they choose to do it, but it isn't up to us.

Input is welcome, and should always be expressed and taken as an opinion, or suggestion, if you will.

We do get a lot of Impulse bashing threads, which this isn't, and it does get old. So please forgive us if we get a tad testy about it, because, in my opinion, it's really not such a huge deal.

So although I'm sure Stardock appreciates your suggestion/opinion, I seriously doubt them changing the way they deliver, update and protect their interests/software.

I could not have said it better.

I totally agree with bit-101. I have had a home computer for more than two decades and the fences pro update I did the this morning had to have been one of the most painful and tortuous affairs I can remember. Thirty minutes for a simple upgrade of one program means that there is something seriously wrong with the way that program is installed.

It is called a PERSONAL COMPUTER If I dont want to have some rubbish like Impulse on my machine then that is my decision. I don't care how small the footprint is!!

If you believe it to be rubbish then why do you have it? Hmmmmm

Hello All-

I totally agree with bit-101.  In fact, I could not agree more with the points he makes.

Some replies here have tried to paint Impulse as a wonderful benefit to end users.  While it might be useful for those folks who own many different products from this company, I would guess that the vast majority own one (maybe two?) programs.  And in that context, Impulse comes across as partially an update tool, but even more as some kind of marketing gimmick.

Even huge companies like Microsoft, Symantec, etc. don't feel the need to require users to install an "updater program" so they don't have the supposedly terrible annoyance of dealing with each program individually.  Gee, is it really that hard?  As far as I know, the only similar hoop any software company requires end users to jump though is in fact Microsoft with their update website, itself often a topic of irritation and debate.  But the similarity ends when you realizes that Microsoft's site is a means for installing patches and (oh by the way), a means to try to minimize pirated software (via Windows Genuine Advantage, etc.).  If Impulse serves either of these same purposes, I don't see how.

According to how my own circle of friends feels about this sort of thing, I suspect that this requirement for Impulse is silently turning away many potential customers.  Regarding the trade-offs with Impulse, I would love to know if there have been a large volume of customer support emails requesting an "updater" like this?  In other words, do customers really think Impulse is a great tool which serves a valid purpose, or do most users just grumble and install even if they would rather not?

John

It's not just that, it also corrects your software if there are problems, lets you know about deals, and is a chat client for letting folks know about problems with the site and the software. It also helps prevent piracy of SD software.

All in all, it's an excellent piece of software.

mumble and grumble. anytime that one has to download software for some other reason than it's their choice, they're probably not happy about it.

while the main benefit of Impulse (imho) is for Stardock to control their software and to advertise the products, there are aspects of it that us end users can find helpful. the ability to archieve programs, pretty solid installer and your/our ability to control the experience works out okay. Unlike steam, you don't have to access your account to play a game, or even maintain it on your computer.

Whether Impulse has real benefits or not, someone suggested just "deleting" Impulse after using it.  I take it they meant to uninstall it.  Does anyone know whether it uninstalls cleanly and fully, including reg entries?  Most programs leave behind trash when uninstalled, but maybe Impulse is a happy exception?

Use Revo Uninstaller. It's free and you can choose the "depth" of action. http://www.zdnet.com/news/uncovering-windows-7s-godmode/378247

Just be careful.

Okay, that seems to imply that Impulse does NOT uninstall itself cleanly.  Many companies go so far as to make their app.s portable and when done that way, it's easy for users to get rid of them via simple deletion of a single file.  That Impulse isn't a single file portable app and evidently doesn't cleanly uninstall certainly seems to say something,

BTW, I've had Revo Uninstaller loaded for some time now.  While it and others like it are great tools, as you cautioned, it's easy to delete things that you shouldn't.  Given the design of Windows where anyone can overwrite system files and where anyone can use anyone else's files in various system folders, it's often painfully hard to "be careful".  I used to run several tracker programs (like InControl, etc.) during every install in an attempt to keep a record of who owns what files and reg entries, but in the end, I had to just give up on that.  With over 125 apps loaded, it's extremely tedious to figure out whether they're all still happy after trying to uninstall something.  Oh well....

The people that support the use of Impulse to load Fences have a point - you can always uninstall Impulse after you have Fences loaded but consider this:  I could get the most use out of Fences at work.  The trouble is, my company, like many others, has restricted access of sites they feel should not be surfed at work.  It's their machines and access so I can't complain too loudly.  Unfortunately Corporate has flagged the Impulse download site as "Games" related so it's blocked!  Thus, if Stardock doesn't provide the option of a downloadable installation file they have the potential of loosing a LOT of money!  I can name a bunch of people at work who could use Fences!!

Unfortunately, uninstalling a Windows program is virtually never a 100% clean operation -- there's usually residue (sometimes troublesome, sometimes not).

Unless the maker's bottom line is obviously reduced by Impulse, it seems likely that it will remain in place as well as keep its same design.  Still, maybe these comments and complaints do help.  Maybe they aid the company in estimating the number of potential sales which might be lost due to Impulse......

Uninstall Impulse, run CCleaner. Job done, nothing left.