stardock is completely unobtrusive,
i start it when i need
not the other way around

How is it any different to be logged on to a website and have it download a patch to your computer than being logged on to SDC and having it download a patch.

Oh- you don't need it to play the game. Just activate it when you want to look for a patch, then close it.

Ok, I appreciate your answer, so I took the time to look at it even against my will because no matter the source and the corp, such informations can never be trusted.

Every time Stardock Central is started it connects to google-analytics.com and transmits some informations for statistics collection. Including time, monitor resolution and quite a few encoded additional informations.

Now, in what way is that beneficial for the customer or needed for the provided functionality? This is only one example and I'm sure, that there is more if I only look hard enough. For example in all the cookies Stardock Central writes/reads. Oh and security is another issue. Do you know, that my account ID and password is transmitted in clear text? Over the internet? Anyone can read it and use it to gain access to my account if they only want to.

So you see, applications like Stardock Central are an issue. Maybe not more than other software but still enough.

My 2 cents....

SDC is not steam. I hate steam as much as the next guy and have quit purchasing software that requires it. What I disliked most was that it was always there and it had to be there in order to play the game(s). SDC is not like that, it is not always on and neither it or the internet are required to run the game.

That your account and password is transmitted in the clear is a little disturbing and something I did not know but I see that as more of a risk to them than to me. I do not keep my CC info stored there, they on the other hand could have serial #'s stolen and propagated throughout the internet.

Thanks

I'm aware of all those recommendations but that is not actually the point I'm trying to make here. Forgoing crippling copy protection is a great step forward that is, however, diminished by the need to install a proprietary download/connection client with inbuild user authentication. Somehow seems Stardock regrets the no copy protection move and tries to maintain their hold over the software with this kind of mechanism.

The way to go, in my opinion, is a SSL/PHP website where you have to submit your product code to receive your activation code. This procedure is needed for every mayor patch release as every new build of the game requests its own activation code. Simple and just as effective if not more so. Once you have the algorithm procedure and the database in place it is very simple to maintain and extend.

There is another dimension that I haven't talked about. What if Stardock dies? Wouldn't be the first small publisher/developer. What about the patches the authentication then? In recent years it happened numerous times, that people who regulary bought a game haven't been able to install and play because the corp was gone (unless they cracked it). In my opinion software like SDC is not as bad as Steam or StarForce but far away from doubt.

Again, Theodore, I don't understand why authenticating your product on SDC and downloading is any different from doing it off the web.