Brad's Impulse Launch Review

Tuesday, June 17, 2008 by Frogboy | Discussion: Personal Computing

Impulse is the greatest thing since sliced bread...yada yada yada.

But how good is it really? Ultimately, only you will be able to decide.  What I'm going to do here is give my personal opinion on how Impulse stands on the eve of its launch.

The Comparisons

Let's just get this out of the way, Impulse is not Steam or Direct2Drive or Xfire or whatever.  It's has a very different design philosophy.  So let me just say this: You would have to pry Steam out of my cold dead hands.  You should judge Impulse as how well it addresses your problems.

First Impressions

image

So I double click on the Impulse icon.  How fast does it load?  On my ThinkPad T60 it's about 5 seconds but YMMV.  In its phase 2 edition (August) I think we need to make it more multithreaded so that when you launch it, it comes up like a window. I.e. instantly.  But it is pretty snappy (a lot faster for me than the betas were).

My next question would be, how much RAM is this thing using?

image

On load up, about 15 megabytes which is pretty good given that Internet Explorer uses 84 megabytes! 

The Store

From a digital e-commerce point of view, the million dollar question is, how good is the selection in the Impulse store?  With Steam or Direct2Drive, I can get a gazillion different games.  So what about Impulse? The answer depends on what you're looking for. 

The first week of the Impulse launch will be spent handling the logistics of getting hundreds of gigabytes of games, utilities, and applications up on the servers. So what is available at say 1pm on the day of the launch will be different from what is available at 5pm of the same day with each day adding more and more stuff.

imageBut by Christmas, I suspect it won't be selection that makes one choose one digital store over another but rather the features and services that these things provide.  Impulse, for instance, supports refunds for users having technical issues. That's a pretty big deal IMO. As far as I know, that will be unique to Impulse.

Community Features

So that we're all on the same page, Impulse isn't just a download manager ala Stardock Central.  It is a full blown digital distribution platform.  The platform comes in the form of Impulse Reactor which is a server-side virtual API set for developers.

A developer could, for instance, using the free Impulse Reactor SDK (which will be launched in mid August) type into their game: CVP.SaveGame() and save their game to the player's virtual drive.  Or CVP.LoadPreferences() to get a game's preferences.

The first game to make use of the Common Virtual Platform will be The Political Machine.  Unfortunately, The Political Machine v1.1 wasn't ready by the Impulse launch so we had to hide the "Games" button from the community area for multiplayer match making.  As soon as it's ready, the button will come back and players will be able to find games either there or within The Political Machine itself.  Other games that will be using it include Sins of a Solar Empire, Galactic Civilizations II v2.0, and Demigod.  We are also working with a number of third party developers to begin using this.

Blogging

I am very biased in favor of non-website whenever possible. I just find website stuff slow. 

The blogging and forum behavior on Impulse is pretty fast but I'd like to see it much faster.  As in, instantaneous.

I think in the coming weeks you'll see a lot of improvements to performance across the whole thing as the initial launch was largely about just getting stuff in there.

My Friends

image The friends stuff is a pretty big deal for me as both a user and as a gamer.  It's only in its beginning stages really.  Eventually, you'll be able to easily get games going and filter by friends or friends of friends to help improve the multiplayer experience.

When I play on-line, my biggest gripe is the griefing and such I run into.  I'm 36 years old, I just don't have time to waste in a multiplayer game with some 15 year old whose out to "max their ranking".

Features that didn't make to the launch that make me sad

There are 3 big features that had to be put into phase 2 (August) that make me sad. The Impulse side was done but we just didn't have enough time on the game side to make use of them yet.

Those are:

  1. Multiplayer Matchmaking.  People could start and join games right from Impulse.
  2. Achievements.
  3. Game Rankings.

They'll get in there, we just have to update The Political Machine and other games to make use of them so that we can show off what's possible to game developers.

The same is true for NAT negotiation and such.  One of the biggest pains in the butt on the PC is getting ports and firewalls set up right for a game. In Impulse phase 3, the Impulse back end will be set up to act as a kind of back-up for games that use our platform.  So a user could connect to another user without knowing anything about routers and what not.  We're hoping Demigod will be the first game to make use of this.

Getting Updates

image So right now, there's a tab called "Updates" that shows up if there are updates to ones programs.  I'd like to see an option put in asap that simply has Impulse download these updates automatically.

My other request is that when downloading updates, I want to see my actual bandwidth speed. I realize this is cosmetic but somewhere, techies should be able to get some idea of how fast their connections are.

Getting to my stuff

imageImpulse lets users add new categories to  their applications and move things around via the dock (we'll talk about that more soon).

If there's an update, an exclamation point shows up next to it.

What's not in the launch version are forums for every application or a chat channel. Eventually everything will get its own forum and chat channel.

Registering your stuff

image Users can associate various programs with their account.  Right now, the only commercial programs that you can associate with your account are Stardock ones and programs you bought from Impulse. But the next step is to let you be able to associate any program with your account regardless of where you purchased it.

This way, when are setting up a new machine, you can just let Impulse download and install all your stuff (freeware, shareware, games, whatever).

Preferences

image Clicking on the orb in the top left opens up additional options.  You can set up where things install on a per category basis:

image

The Dock

Impulse is designed to customizeable.  The initial launch doesn't have the skinning selection features in. That's coming "real soon now(TM)". But you can add and edit your own categories:

image 
Extending Impulse

When you press the minimize to dock, Impulse launches the dock:

image
Impulse Dock

The dock displays the same content as the Impulse client. By default, it is set to auto-hide so it will hide to the taskbar edge with the user able to bring it up by moving their mouse to the bottom edge of the screen.

The dock is pretty powerful and yet light weight.

We plan to release later on an Impulse Tray applet that users can optionally use to stay in touch with friends, posts, updates, etc.  It will not be part of Impulse itself as it will be designed to be as tiny as possible. 

So what's next?

I think most people will find Impulse pretty compelling. Initially, its game content is not on par with Steam or Direct2Drive but that should change over time.  Obviously on the non-game software side, it enjoys a tremendous advantage. 

Impulse itself is pretty snappy but I found the forums and blog services be a bit on the slow side. This will be something Stardock will need to improve.

Download speeds of new programs, by contrast are fast. Faster than anything I've ever used anywhere.

The customization features, while decent, could be a lot better. I.e. I'd like to be able to select from a list of skins.  Stardock's the leader in this area so it's something that it will be adding and supporting through its skinning site, WinCustomize.com.

It will be important that Impulse show off the features of Impulse Reactor as quickly as possible.  Getting the Multiplayer matchmaking in should be up by the end of the month.  Achievements, rankings, etc. are all going to be crucial as well.

I'd like to be able to filter out programs that are available but not installed. I'm an extreme case since I have a ton of things linked to my account but still.

I think people will be pleasantly surprised at how fast and memory efficient the overall program is.  Given how pretty it is, on might expect it to be slow and a memory hog but even in its first release, it's really snappy.

First Previous Page 6 of 7 Next Last
Zydor
Reply #101 Thursday, June 19, 2008 8:05 PM
The 1.95 update is available under Stardock Central, although I had already done it (about 20 mins ago) via Impulse which beavered away without any dramas. It was quick, about 5 mins for an Impulse Update, a Political Machine Update and the TA 1.95 update.

Regards
Zy
ZubaZ
Reply #102 Thursday, June 19, 2008 8:51 PM
Oh I see now. Thanks for showing me the error of my ways. Impulse is wonderful, wonderful.I don't know how I can live without it. I know it's free but I would really prefer to pay for it.My check is in the mail.The Porsche is paid for.It's only a cold sore.I'll pull it out if it hurts.
ThePCGuy?  
mdsorom
Reply #103 Thursday, June 19, 2008 9:14 PM
The 1.95 update is available under Stardock Central, although I had already done it (about 20 mins ago) via Impulse which beavered away without any dramas. It was quick, about 5 mins for an Impulse Update, a Political Machine Update and the TA 1.95 update.RegardsZy


I thought we had to install Impulse to get 1.95.
I officially apologize for my posts complaining about having to install Impulse just to get a patch. Thankfully, I did said complaining in a civil manner or I would feel like an even bigger jackass  

So, so sorry.
CobraA1
Reply #104 Thursday, June 19, 2008 10:18 PM
Oh I see now. Thanks for showing me the error of my ways. Impulse is wonderful, wonderful.
I don't know how I can live without it. I know it's free but I would really prefer to pay for it.


Well, I'm sure Stardock has heard your complaint loud and clear. The decision is ultimately up to them.
Zydor
Reply #105 Friday, June 20, 2008 7:49 AM
One of a number of famous quotes attributed to Napoleon Bonaparte, which occurred when an individual was granted time to explain to him a new capability "that could transform your Empire". He listened to the explanation then, very irritated, he firmly stated:

"So, you are going to make a ship sail against the wind, by lighting a bonfire UNDER HER DECK??? I have no time for such nonsense - Get Out!!"

Think about it ....

Regards
Zy
Gambler
Reply #106 Friday, June 20, 2008 3:32 PM
If I want two pieces of software to be decoupled, and someone else wants me to shut up, then those aren't exactly two sides of the same argument.

If I'm arguing that something should not be done, and someone else is re-stating that it will be done, it's not exactly a reply.
wulfn1
Reply #107 Friday, June 20, 2008 3:49 PM
Zydor,
Fulton's folley became our profit!
Glad Boney tossed it out the window!!
psychoak
Reply #108 Friday, June 20, 2008 4:52 PM
I have so many shit patchers and vaguely necessary related programs for various applications on my computer that it would take me hours to find and count them.

From the standpoint of Impulse as a nuisance you're being forced to use in order to update your software you purchased through it.

Assuming this is true, I'm not sure about that part yet, then I am forced to get impulse just as I am forced to get various game portals, auto-patchers, matching services, event loggers... The list goes on and on. I have more affiliated software on my computer than I do things I was actually after. Most of them come with an installer, an uninstaller, a patcher, and a loader these days. If Stardock compresses them all into one fairly presentable program, that is a major plus.

I fail to see the onus over other software, I'm envisioning a less cluttered environment, a drastically less cluttered environment.
Zydor
Reply #109 Friday, June 20, 2008 5:50 PM
If Stardock compresses them all into one fairly presentable program, that is a major plus.


I am soooo with you on this one, and its what Stardock are trying to do. Its the whole basis of the upcoming Genre of "Digital Platforms", a Port that can be used to deliver any multi-media content from any vendor to any user. Its implications for on-line activities are as huge as the impact of the Web Page and HTML code - not least the one that "wins" gets lots of members and potential revenue by being known as "The" Platform.

Those implications are why "Digital Platforms" are springing up everywhere. As usual in times of Change such as this, there's lots of "wannabees" lurking around, and abuse of the Digital Platform concept. However as with the Web Page, it'll settle in the end. The selection of a long term platform to use will as always be a matter of taste and Trust. For my book, the latter is the key one, and in the Games World I still have not found one I can Trust - except Stardock, and I was delighted when I realised the design concept behind Impulse, and the fact that Stardock have thrown their "Digital Platform" Hat into the Ring.

So, Impulse is loaded, and I'll go with the flow as all this pans out over the next 2/3 years, its going to be a fun ride

Regards
Zy
Zydor
Reply #110 Friday, June 20, 2008 5:56 PM
Glad Boney tossed it out the window!!


Damn right, I'd be speaking French right now if he hadnt - with due deference to forum members from France

Regards
Zy
Island Dog
Reply #111 Saturday, June 21, 2008 8:10 AM
I fail to see the onus over other software, I'm envisioning a less cluttered environment, a drastically less cluttered environment.


To me, that's what Impulse is great for.  I have one application that can manage a load of games and applications, including purchasing, installing, updating, community features, etc.


Gambler
Reply #112 Saturday, June 21, 2008 1:18 PM
I have one application that can manage a load of games

One app to rule them all,
One app to find them,
One app to bring them all,
And in the darkness bind them.

As I said before, the problem is not with Impulse, but with the fact that StarDock seems to be preparing to make it the only way to update (and, perhaps, install) their games. "You will need to use Impulse to get it. Go here to get Impulse." Correct me if I'm wrong on this one.

I'm already ignored by Impulse, because it does not support Windows 2000. If it were made the only way to update GalCiv2, I wouldn't be able to update the game anymore, even though the game itself works perfectly fine on win2k.

That is a common problem with all kinds of global platforms: instead of adapting the platform to fit the needs of applications, people begin to adapt the applications to the needs of the platform. Think Vista, DirectX 10 and .NET 3.0.

In the old days, I could download GalCiv2 patches by typing in my serial number on glaciv2.com. What's wrong with that? Sure, Impulse can do more. Sure, if I could run it, I would probably use it. But why the need to discard the more versatile update options?
Wizard1956
Reply #113 Saturday, June 21, 2008 2:15 PM
instead of adapting the platform to fit the needs of applications, people begin to adapt the applications to the needs of the platform.

Why would a platform want to tie itself permanently to old standards,aging or obsolete software or OS's? Development would slow to a crawl.Platforms are foundations,you build it before the house. Just my 2
Zydor
Reply #114 Saturday, June 21, 2008 6:27 PM
In the old days, I could download GalCiv2 patches by typing in my serial number on glaciv2.com. What's wrong with that? Sure, Impulse can do more. Sure, if I could run it, I would probably use it. But why the need to discard the more versatile update options?


There are few things more versatile than double clicking an icon, and it now happens that way, which is why platforms like Impulse work, all the mechanics of a process are done for you in the background. You log in - as with anything these days, even that is one click if the beast at home is setup properly - and from that point, its simplicity itself. There is little doubt the functionality is streets ahead of previous methods. There'll be initial hassles, always happens with something new, but as a Genre, its case is absolute. Bare in mind the Platform genre is not just about updates, there is much much more to it than that, at present its "Round 1" of a Massive ongoing Change on how we "do business" as gamers or as vendors. Its the whole question of how multi-media content is delivered to the end user.

The biggest issue, is the underlying motivation for your stance, and here I have total empathy. Whenever we move from one genre to another, the change process must be considered carefully. Too often Marketing Directors start to believe their own marketing and "of course they all have the latest XXX widget, so whats the hassle". Real life is not like that. Stardock have made the update available on SDC, whether thats because of the controversy, forgot and thought "oppps" or they were planning to anyway, is not relevant. The fact is, they did, and few vendors would do so, as they would be salivating over the cost savings of closing down the old one.

Stardock have a long reputation for going out of their way to make games as backward compatible as they possibly can, and given Frogboy's stance on this I really cant see that changing any time soon. A remarkable stance given the minute numbers that benefits - a glance at Stats for the browsers and operating systems WebSite visitors to Sites on the Web in general use is very revealing.

There comes a point when the old one really must be closed down, it silly to even contemplate that they should incur the additional costs for that for so few for ever. However, I personally believe Stardock will leave SDC up as long as they can sensibly economically subsidise it from the proceeds of the new to meet the needs of the small minority, but that will not be forever, nor can we really expect that to be the case.

I like you, would be very disappointed if they didnt make extensive effort to ease the Change - which in fairness is what they are doing - it is after all their whole Culture to look after the gamer. Its what makes them so hugely different. So far they have, so no real hassle.

Regards
Zy
damncrackmonkey
Reply #115 Sunday, June 22, 2008 2:00 AM

"Users can associate various programs with their account. Right now, the only commercial programs that you can associate with your account are Stardock ones and programs you bought from Impulse."

That's the biggest gripe I have right now -- the fact that you actually have to manually register programs that you purchased from within Impulse. If the store was really a part of a digital platform and not just a website displayed via the .Net browser component, all purchases would be automatically registered. Registration is especially annoying when you're not immediately aware of the software's publisher.

Bebi Bulma
Reply #116 Sunday, June 22, 2008 3:54 AM
That's the biggest gripe I have right now -- the fact that you actually have to manually register programs that you purchased from within Impulse. If the store was really a part of a digital platform and not just a website displayed via the .Net browser component, all purchases would be automatically registered. Registration is especially annoying when you're not immediately aware of the software's publisher.

Good point.
Daiwa
Reply #117 Sunday, June 22, 2008 11:31 AM
Don't really see what your issue is. Personally I don't use any of the bells and whistles in Impulse. I fire it up, go to the updates tab, download the updates, close Impulse, done.


I'm with Hippy. Unless you're freaked by Impulse taking up space on your hard drive, how can it be an issue when it's not even running? Use it for what you need, shut it down.

Mumble, you've decided you're going to dig your way out of that hole - your position is simply silly, if you ask me. Do you have a land-line telephone? You know, you don't really need one. You can get on your horse and ride over to speak personally with anyone you wish. And what the hell are you doing using a computer, for freak's sake? There's something irrational about your approach to technology, though I respect your right to be what I would consider irrational. Do what you're comfortable with.
Daiwa
Reply #118 Sunday, June 22, 2008 11:36 AM
That's the biggest gripe I have right now -- the fact that you actually have to manually register programs that you purchased from within Impulse. If the store was really a part of a digital platform and not just a website displayed via the .Net browser component, all purchases would be automatically registered. Registration is especially annoying when you're not immediately aware of the software's publisher.


Be patient, gotta crawl a little while before you learn to walk.
Mumblefratz
Reply #119 Sunday, June 22, 2008 1:03 PM
Mumble, you've decided you're going to dig your way out of that hole - your position is simply silly, if you ask me. Do you have a land-line telephone? You know, you don't really need one. You can get on your horse and ride over to speak personally with anyone you wish. And what the hell are you doing using a computer, for freak's sake? There's something irrational about your approach to technology, though I respect your right to be what I would consider irrational. Do what you're comfortable with.

This is a personal attack specifically directed at me long after I've withdrawn from the thread. This contains no reason as to why or why not you feel Impluse is good or bad but merely holds up someone's else's beliefs as something worthy of ridicule.

As such I can only assume your purpose is to specifically abuse another user, namely me. I feel such behaviour is worthy of being reported even if it does send emails to 20 stardockians and so that is what I shall do.
Wizard1956
Reply #120 Sunday, June 22, 2008 1:55 PM
This contains no reason as to why or why not you feel Impluse is good or bad


Been there,done that.It wasn't what you wanted to hear.
specifically abuse another user, namely me.


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