Running along the top menu are the following menu tabs: "My Software" and "My Games".
When updates are available, an "Updates" tab will appear
(between "Community" and "My Software"). When you start a download the "Downloads tab will appear until the download is complete.
These tabs as well as any you may create, work the same way so they will be covered in this chapter. Creating your own tabs will be covered in the next chapter on: 7. Managing Tabs.
(Note: If you are new to Impulse, not a previous customer, you will see the tab "My Games" to the left of "My Software". While previous customers see "My Software" to the left of "My Games", since they are used to it from previous versions of Impulse. Regardless which tab is first, you can change the order of the tabs to your preference by clicking 
and selecting "Manage tabs...".)
When you start up Impulse for the first time and click on one of the My tabs, you will see software
you purchased through Impulse listed alphabetically by title. As you buy & install software via Impulse,
it will appear on these tabs. "My Software consists of non-game titles, while games are listed under "My
Games". If you had Stardock Central (SDC) installed prior to installing Impulse & purchased software
through it, that software will appear in Impulse. If you installed Stardock software from CD/DVD, it will
appear in Impulse. Stardock demo's & freeware will appear in Impulse, unless you have that feature
turned off in Preferences.
The default "View" for the My tabs is "Details-view" (shown above), which includes a listing of software titles by row & column. The default sorted order is by software title in alphabetical-order. You can change the sort order by either clicking the column heading or "Organize" and selecting the desired option. You can change the view from details-view to "List-view" (similar to Tile-view) and "Tile-view" with the Information Panel (on by default, but can be hidden). If your monitor/resolution is set low, you may not see all of the columns. If you maximize Impulse, this may help or you can change the order and/or hide columns by selecting "View", then "Edit Columns".
Organize
Clicking the "Organize" button (upper left corner) will open a menu with the following
options that allows you to change how the applications/games are listed on the "Updates",
"Downloads", "My Software", "My Games" tabs, plus any you create with
Manage Tabs):
- by Name - (selected by default) listed in alphabetical order by product title (A-Z).
- by Status - groups programs with status messages together alphabetically.
- by Category - groups programs together by category (i.e. Shooters (Games), MyColors, Object Desktop,
Strategy (Games), ...).
- by Rating - based on your ranking of the programs, sorts highest rating to lowest.
- by Updated Date - lists them from most recently updated (i.e. 4/14/2009) to oldest (i.e. 2/18/2009).
- by Last-Run-Date - displays in order by the date you last ran each program, most recent to oldest.
- by # of Times Used - the program run the most times is displayed first, followed by the least run programs.
- Show installed programs first - (checked by default) applies more to the My Software &
My Games tabs where it will list installed programs near the top, and programs not installed
but "Available" towards the bottom of the list.
View
Clicking the "View" button gives you a number of options to change what and how programs are listed.
Quick Reference
Menu option |
What it does |
| Tile-view |
Lists programs with a large program icon, program title and
status. Also includes the information panel on the right-hand side (by default).
|
| List-view |
Similar to Tile-view, but with smaller icons, text for program title,
no status text, but a yellow  exclamation point to show if an update is available.
Also includes the information panel on the right-hand side (by default).
|
| Details-view |
(Default) Removes the information panel, but adds column headings (i.e. Name,
Status, Rating, Last Updated, Category, Last Run, Run Count, Size). Clicking any column
heading will sort the listing by that column (i.e. Rating will sort from highest to
lowest rating), while clicking it again will reverse the sort (i.e. lowest rating to highest). The default sort is by "Name" in alphabetical order (A-Z).
Clicking on a program displays detailed information on the bottom of the Impulse window,
including: program icon, title (i.e. Demigod), version installed (i.e. v0.97), Updated
(i.e. date of last update from software company), Update Size (i.e. size of file to download).
In the lower, right corner are two buttons  (options) and
(selected program). The buttons change depending on the status of the program, the same as on the information panel. |
| Show freeware & demos |
Checked, Impulse will include
freeware (free software) and demonstration (demos) programs you can download and install. (Note: To see the free (optional) Impulse Dock, this option must be checked. See Appendix B: Impulse Dock for more information.)
Unchecked, (default) freeware & demos will not be visible in the program listings. |
| Fade non-installed applications |
Checked, (default) will display software titles not installed, but available
for download and install as faded text. This makes the programs that are installed easier to see,
quickly, because they are in bold, white text.
Unchecked, all programs, installed or not installed/available will
be in bold, white text in the listing. |
| Hide non-installed applications |
Checked, hides programs that not currently installed, but are available for download.
Unchecked, (default) displays programs not installed, but are available. |
| Show information panel |
Checked, (default) displays the information panel on the right-hand side.
Unchecked, hides the information panel. |
| Edit Columns... |
Opens a dialog box with options to change the order of the columns shown
in "Details-view" mode by selecting the column, then clicking either
(move left on menu bar) or 
(move right) to change the location. You can also  and
to show previously hidden columns.
You may notice extra columns in the dialog box that you cannot see. If the width and
resolution of your monitor allows, resize the width of the Impulse window (or maximize it)
to see all available columns. It is possible on smaller monitors not to see all of the
columns. This option allows you to hide less important columns, in favor of other ones on smaller displays. Plus you can change the order of the columns. |
| Refresh |
Checks with the Impulse server for any updates, etc.. |
Register Product
Clicking the 
button near the top, middle of the Impulse window on the "Updates", "My Software"
or "My Games" tabs will open a dialog box allowing you to register products to receive updates, etc..
When you purchase products through Impulse you should not need to do this, but if you bought a
retail copy this is where you can register the product. Type in the serial number, the email address
of your Impulse account will be filled in, then select from the pull-down menu for
"Product Category" and "Product". Then click 
button. (Click 
or 
to abort.)
Tile View
Applications are listed by logo, title and status. Click on an application or game to select it.
If needed, use the vertical scroll bar to view additional applications, or maximize the Impulse window.
If the Impulse window is downsized horizontally (width), you may only see one column of software titles,
while expanding or maximizing it on a widescreen monitor will show several columns.
Each tile consists of the following:
If a program has an update available, you will see the status: Update available .
If you try to install a program that is not compatible with your operating system, Impulse will ask if
you want to install it anyway. Click 
to install it. (Click 
to abort.)
Below is a list of the more common status messages and what they mean:
Status Messages
Status message |
What it means |
|
Available |
This program is available to be installed by clicking the  button. |
|
Installed |
This has been installed and is ready to use by clicking the  button. |
|
Update available |
An update (patch) is available for download & install by clicking
. After updating an application, the program status will
change to "Installed". |
|
Downloading |
Shows status of the download and installation progress. |
|
Free version available |
Program is free to use. |
|
Demo available |
A trial version is available to download & install, to try before you
buy. |
|
Error retrieving data |
Some sort of server error (i.e. can not find file). |
|
The serial number you entered is not recognized.. |
Only serial numbers provided by Stardock will be accepted, check your
serial number and email address for this product on the Registration screen. |
Information Panel
Clicking on an application (i.e. Unreal Tournament 3) will display detailed information on the right in a
Information Panel. The options available vary depending on the status of the application. For instance,
applications that state "Update available" may include: name of the program & logo (i.e. UT3),
"Size of Update" (i.e. 1.3 GB), "Installed Version" on your computer (i.e. v1.30), the
new update as "Available Version" (i.e. v2.00), and the date of the "Latest Update"
(i.e. 3/10/2009).
Alpha/Beta Testing
If you selected "Show pre-release versions" in "Preferences"
and if alpha or beta updates are available, you may see an "Available Alpha" or "Available Beta"
version number on the information panel. An Alpha version is an early version of the program & major features
may not be working yet. After alpha, comes beta which is closer to the final release version, but can have a lot
of bugs (i.e. errors, problems). Alpha/Beta versions should be installed with the understanding that this is an
incomplete and/or test version of the program. It most likely includes bugs when using certain features and may
even crash your computer.
These test versions are released to get feedback from people (users) outside the company. Bugs may occur on
your unique computer configuration as compared to a computer used for internal testing at Stardock (or the company making the pre-release available). The
feedback from you & others helps Stardock improve applications & games. However, do not install
these versions if you do not want to deal with potential bugs in the program. Wait until the normal, public
release (non-alpha/beta) to install an update. To avoid seeing beta versions, under "Preferences"
uncheck the box for "Show pre-release versions". Normally, this option is off (by default).
Links
Below the information about the software are links categorized into "Community" and "Manage
Application". If a [+] is next to it, this means clicking that title will expand that section, displaying
links. If you see [-], clicking the title (i.e. Community) will collapse (hide) that section of links. The
links under each section may vary by the type of software (i.e. desktop customization, game, utility,
productivity, ...). You may not see the same links for each program.
Here is a list of links you may see under "Community" and what they do:
- Instant Game Action - this will launch the game for internet play and add you to a multiplayer game.
- View All Multiplayer Games - this is a shortcut to the "
Games" sub-tab
under "Community" which lists available games on the internet
you can join for this game.
- Chat - is a shortcut to the "Chat"
sub-tab under "Community"
where you can join others and chat about this program or other subjects.
- Forums - a shortcut to the "Forums"
sub-tab under "Community"
which opens the Stardock message forums where you can post/read messages from other people like you.
This is a good place to ask questions about the Stardock program you have, meet other people, etc..
- Gallery - displays the WinCustomize web
site Gallery for the selected program. For instance, clicking "Gallery" for DeskScapes will
display the available Dreams for download.
Here is a list of links you may see under "Manage Application" and what they do:
- History - displays a list of changes to this & past updates to the program. This will be
displayed in a separate window with the name of the program and version number(s). Clicking
will close
the history window.
- Registration - displays the serial number for the product. If the product is part of a subscription,
the "Expires On" date (i.e. 12/20/2015) will let you know when it expires and is due for renewal.
Clicking
will copy the serial number to the clipboard, in case you
need to paste it into the program. Some games require you to do this, so it saves typing mistakes
if you can just paste it in (i.e. <Ctrl> & <V> on the keyboard or right-click &
"Paste" for the mouse). Click 
or to close the dialog box.
- Ignore this update - will hide the selected program from the "Updates" tab. To un-hide it,
locate it on the appropriate tab (i.e. My Games if it is a game, such as Demigod), right-click on it
(i.e. Demigod) & select "Show hidden update" then the will appear & the program will re-appear on
the "Updates" tab.
- Show hidden update - if under "Preferences" you have
"Show hidden updates" checked, you will still see the program you had clicked "Ignore
this update" listed under the "Updates" & respective program tab (i.e. My Games if
it is a game) tab, but with a darker
exclamation point. Selecting the program, then clicking on
the link "Show hidden update" will fully unhide the update.
- Uninstall - this allows you to uninstall the selected program instead of going through the
Windows Control Panel to remove an application.
- Edit Registration - displays the "Registrations" window which displays all of your
serial numbers, email address, and more. This allows you to edit your Impulse (Stardock.net)
account or add a new registration. (The other way into the "Registrations" area is
by clicking the
icon (upper, right corner) and selecting "Register a product with Impulse...".)
(This will be covered in more detail on the Help page.)
On the bottom of the information panel are two buttons that change depending on the status
of the program:
Status message |
Buttons available in information panel |
| Available |
- displays product information.
-
downloads & installs. |
|
Installed |
- displays product information.
- launches
program. |
|
Update available |
 -
launches program.
-
downloads & updates. |
|
Downloading |
 -
aborts download.
 -
pauses download. |
|
Download Paused |
-
aborts download.
 -
resumes download. |
Right-Click Menu
Right-clicking on a program will display a menu with a number of options which
vary depending on the status of the application.
Action |
What it does |
|
Update * |
(If an update is available.) Downloads & updates the selected program. |
|
Run * |
(If program is installed.) Launches the program. |
|
Pause Download * |
(If downloading.) Pauses the download in progress. |
|
Resume Download * |
(If downloading.) Resumes a paused download. |
|
Cancel Download * |
(If downloading.) Cancels a download in progress or a paused download. |
|
More Info * |
Displays product information. |
|
Uninstall * |
Removes the application/game from your computer. |
|
View History * |
Displays a list of changes in this update. Not available for all
programs. |
| Rating |
Displays a sub-menu with options to rate this program from one to
five stars or none (default). This is nice so you can sort programs by rating. |
|
Ignore this update * |
(If update is available.) Ignore the update by removing it from the
"Updates"
tab and changing the status to "Installed". |
|
Re-Activate |
Re-activates a program, which is the same as the Activation of a program
when you run it for the first time. |
|
Hide application |
Makes the application disappear from the tab. Unless "Show hidden
applications" is selected on the Preferences
menu, then it will appear semi-transparent.
This option allows you to hide applications you do not use. |
|
Un-hide application |
Makes the semi-hidden application fully visible. |
|
Open application folder |
Opens a Windows Explorer window displaying the folder for the
application. |
|
Archive Application |
(If installed) Allows you to make a backup of the software. This
is useful if you want to backup the program before an update, in case you
think the update may cause problems.
Creating an archive packages the software into one file ending in
".impulse" (no quotes) which only Impulse can read.
Tip: If the program is
part of a subscription, this allows you to back it up prior to
expiration. Once expired, if something happens to your computer
you can not download it again without renewing your subscription. This way you can still use the software you purchased after it expires, however you cannot get updates which the subscription provided.
By default, archives are stored under:
Vista: C:\ProgramData\Stardock\Impulse\backup
XP: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application
Data\Stardock\Impulse\backup
To restore an archive, select "Restore Archive..." from the Orb
menu. |
|
Download and Archive |
Downloads the program, then creates an archive (backup copy) of the
software. |
|
Verify Installation |
Verifies the software was installed correctly and will display the
results. |
| View Registration |
Displays the serial number for this product and end date
for subscription based software (i.e. Object Desktop). |
|
Refresh |
Checks with the Impulse server for an update. |
* = Same as option on Information Panel (sidebar menu).
