Smart Download

J_fike · Post by **J_fike** » Thu May 04, 2006 1:11 am

Well, after a few months of waiting, I see Stupid Download is still not very smart. I tried it again, and made sure I clicked "update" first, I received a :

[ ] Object Library - DVD Menu Library (1 files, 508KB)

So I selected it and clicked "download" and it went through the whole download process, counting of each and every byte downloaded, and then completed and refreshed and sure enough, displayed the very same available download message again (as if nothing had happened.)

Okay, I'll reboot my computer and try again. Same results!

Well, I'm finished recommending this program, as I have done for years. Sure, this might be very minor to many of you, and sure, Ulead Support will direct me to some URL to download content, but I just can't deal with a company that either won't fix an obvious problem or won't simply disable and do away with Smart Download" via an update (patch).

Look, there are plenty of new user's that will pick this program because they can't afford PhotoShop. Well, it's now my goal to steer as many potential customers away from PI as I can. I actively participate in many 3D and photography forums.

And when I'm in a Fry's CompUSA, Best Buy, or other computer store and see someone looking at a PI package, I'm going to mention to them my displeasure over Ulead support (and hope it costs a sale.)

And that is sad, because I used to recommend PI to everyone.

sjj1805 · Post by **sjj1805** » Sat May 13, 2006 11:53 am

Only last week I re-installed everything I have onto a fresh hard Drive due to problems with my existing one.

When I came to use Smart download with PhotoImpact 11 it went as smooth as silk. No problems.

J_fike · Post by **J_fike** » Fri May 19, 2006 12:08 am

Well, I guess you are lucky or I'm unlucky.

I recently built a new computer with an AMD 4800 x2, ATI 1900 XTX, and a WD 150GB Raptor drive and installed PI11 fresh. I tried Smart Download again and it still calls out available downloads that go through the motions (time and bytes transferred) but still stay on the smart download available list (after selecting update). The file downloads but doesn't install.

Post by **Ron P.** » Fri May 19, 2006 12:14 am

Hi,

There are a lot of us that just do not use the "dumb download" any longer. You might try going to Ulead's website, they have links to download all the content. When I got PI-11 that's what I done, and all the content downloaded and installed fine...

Just a suggestion..

Ron P.

J_fike · Post by **J_fike** » Sun May 21, 2006 9:34 pm

I guess I wasn't too clear on this. My problem with Smart Download is simply that Ulead seems to ignore it and let new user's flounder, thinking there's something wrong with their computer, maybe causing them to re-installing, etc. Or waste time like I am on a forum discussing the whole thing.

It should be easy to issue a patch that takes the Smart Download option away (plus fixes any broken links -- too many programs today have broken links in the help menu.)

The Smart Download is a good concept. It just has to be implemented properly and given some attention when new content is posted. Ignoring support questions or telling one to "don't use Smart Download -- go here and download your content" just bugs the heck out of me.