Too many problems it sounds like...

the problems are few and far between... but when people do have them... they come here for help... I have used windowblinds for years now... without problems... but people have had problems latley... since OD subscribers get access to the betas and alphas... as for the final builds... they have no bugs.. and stardock makes sure there are no problems... so understand the problems you've been reading about lately were mostly with the current alpha build of WindowBlinds 4, and the Beta Build of IconPackager trust the programs are good... and have few problems...

Well, how many posts are there going to be to let everyone know all is working OK. It would be nice, but usually it just doesn't happen. Usually problems occur becuase people downlaod the alpha's and beta's and expect them to perform as a gold release. If you stick with the "released" versions you will probably have few problems if any. No piece of software is perfect.... but Object Desktop is definately worth the 50 dollar purchase and the 35 dollar yearly renewals... no doubt about it.

Oil2003: When you get Object Desktop, you have access to all the alpha and beta version of all the software that are part of Object Desktop.
You don't have to install them, you can very well just limit yourself to the final releases that are all very stable.
Using alphas and betas have risks, and some of us are ready to risk it to get the very latest fresh-out-of-the-oven toys (still in the over, actually, that's why we get burned once in a while).

But as I said, all final versions are very stable and make Object Desktop very worthwhile.

Millions of users will guarantee dozens of 'problem posts'.
In reality, most people really don't have a problem....but if you went to any 'help desk' you will find everyone there has a problem, but hardly representational.
Go to a cemetery and the prevalence of dead people would suggest that a cemetery must be a dangerously lethal place to visit...

That -is- the problem with forums like this, or the Stardock newsgroups. They -are- where people who are having problems go, after all! So, naturally, you get to see all of the nasty horror stories and problems, and they seem like they outnumber the few good stories that you hear.

More than any other Stardock programs, I use Windowblinds (have been since like, version 1.x or something - though only as a registered user for the past year or so?) CursorXP and IconPackager. With the exception of the current alphas of Windowblinds 4, none of them has ever given me a /single/ problem or heartache, I'm happy to say! And I fully realize the current build of WB that I'm using is an Alpha - so quirks and problems are expected!

For a time, I've even used DesktopX and ObjectBar - and aside from a few idiosyncracies, I can also say that neither of them has given me so much as a problem too.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. The money I spent on Object Desktop (and my Wincusto sub, and CursorXP, etc. etc.) is the best money I've spent on my PC.

If ever a problem needed a place to land, it would be on me.
But I must say in all honesty that as an owner of Object desktop and all the other cool stuff, I have had relatively few problems, and those that do occur are easily corrected or come as a result of my own making.

Considering the fact that most with problems are of two groups, new to it and at the bottom of the learning curve, with the software, if not computers and windows them self.

And those seeking to get deeper into the production of tweaking and skinning, as such, if you don't ask you pretty much end up beating your knoggin until you break through, or turn to those that might be able to help.

What in the world would anyone expect the threads to be based upon?

Do you happen to go to technet online foums and let them know "Sounds like to many problems to me" ?

Sound rather snipe doesn't it?

I got here a bit late but to repeat what the rest have said in my own words:
Very few people will go to a message board simply to say "Yep, I tried such and such program and it worked without a flaw."
I've been using Object Desktop for at least two years now and very, very, very, seldom run into any problems and I do in fact download and try out all of the "Alpha's and Beta version of updates.
So don't be afraid to take the plunge, you will never regret it.

BTW Jafo..."Go to a cemetery and the prevalence of dead people would suggest that a cemetery must be a dangerously lethal place to visit..." That little quote is a scream.