Stardock's relationship with Neowin and its criticizers


Recommended Posts

3 posts in 5 years? Your opinion doesn't count!!!!

:p j/k Thanks for setting the record straight, sometimes I really wonder about some of the responses I see here lol

I kept reading his name as the-Jaffa :D

3 posts in 5 years? Your opinion doesn't count!!!!

:p j/k Thanks for setting the record straight, sometimes I really wonder about some of the responses I see here lol

3 posts in 5 years? :huh: He joined May 2005. Talk about math.

Its just facts. Yes, no one holds 51%, but if I were Neowin, I sure as hell wouldn't have let someone hold majority rights out of three investors. Anyone with more than an 8th grade education would know that.

Has it helped? Of course. No one's denying that. It just has the potential to be a major issue down the road.

Has it helped? Of course. No one's denying that. It just has the potential to be a major issue down the road.

I guess they're confident there won't be any major issues. At least there hasn't been any that we all know about for 3 years now.

I love both groups so this isn't a big deal. Haven't even noticed a difference.

Correct. That's just an egotistical excuse.

What many people don't realize is that Stardock has the singular MAJORITY share in Neowin. Steve has 30%, Redmak has 30%, and Stardock has 40%. Steve and Redmak may both together have 60%, but in essence, they are two shareholders...not one.

As much spin as has been put on this, that's the fact. Steve and Redmak sold off their control, and one of these days, it will bite them back.

Tinfoil hat? ;p

Edited by Danrarbc
What does LLC in Neowin LLC stand for by the way.

LLC = Limited Liability Company. In the US it means the owners have a limited amount of debt liability for the company they own. (Company goes bankrupt, owners don't automatically follow.) If you took economics in school it was probably referred to as an S-Corporation.

LLC = Limited Liability Company. In the US it means the owners have a limited amount of debt liability for the company they own. (Company goes bankrupt, owners don't automatically follow.) If you took economics in school it was probably referred to as an S-Corporation.

In Canada it would be the same as "Limited".

i.e. Shell Canada Limited.

(I mention this because the person asking was from Vancouver)

  • 2 weeks later...

I'm not a fan of Stardock, and don't own any of their products, but I do have to say that Neowin is much better now than in the earlier days. I would sumise that it was a very thought out and necessary business decision to be done. Stardock could and would be smart to utilise this community as I have seen to improve their products and get ideas to attract new user's and expand on the user base they have now.

Just my two cents...

Well, I always knowtist a "close" relationship between Stardock and Neowin, Stardock software being prominently displayed on the front page and Stardock having the official podcast of Neowin for a while(btw, when will you guys bring that back, that was a great podcast). I don't necessarily have a problem with this arrangement ("you gotta do what ya gotta do") or with FrogBoy (never really seen him around the forums), but it would have been nice to have let the members know about this arrangement earlier.

Ohh.. Brad = Frogboy.. I had no idea who you were all talking about :rofl:

Frogboy is cool.. and I don't think we have ever quoted one another in topics or anything related, except the time he was on X-Play.

I'm kind of confused why this topic was made... but i'm sure the story goes deeper then what is being said in the replies

don't care for stardock, no opinions on the company, however frogboy may get overly defensive when members bash his company and it's products (even if it is unfounded). is that an issue? maybe.

as for neowin; still looking good after this long. keep it up!

I think that Neowin is much better today than what it was in 2001/2002. And if it's all thanks to Stardock and Brad, well, I'm happy.

The only thing is, if someone do have a "valid" not trolling opinion about a Stardock software, that person should have the right to express himself. It's not because Neowin lives because of Stardock that all opinions about Stardock product should be good and rosy.

Another thing, it probably helps to be the Admin and being able to share strong opinions without getting a warning.... Most of us don't have that chance, all mods/admin should keep that in mind.

Keep up the good work.

I'm just curious as to if it would constitute a conflict of interests, when a company with a past history of paying people to post on forums now has a controlling share in an extremely well-respected tech website and forum. I suppose it could be just considered another aspect of marketing, albeit an underhanded one, but it would certainly make me suspect of anyone with a "positive" opinion of their products on a site such as this.

Not many of us had even known the difference, other than it's been obvious the past few years that Neowin and Stardock have a close relationship. Those of you that have been around as long as I have really know the difference in the reliability of the technical side of the site though. For a few years there, it was constant problems. The site has been running really smoothly since this arrangement was made, so I can only look at this as a good thing. Who knows if we would still even be here today without Stardock stepping up. You've got to think Neobond and company would have got fed up with all the problems eventually. Just be thankful that we now have a well run, problem free site and that the impact of Stardock's involvement has been minimal.

I'm just curious as to if it would constitute a conflict of interests, when a company with a past history of paying people to post on forums now has a controlling share in an extremely well-respected tech website and forum. I suppose it could be just considered another aspect of marketing, albeit an underhanded one, but it would certainly make me suspect of anyone with a "positive" opinion of their products on a site such as this.

In case you don't know about this: Read this 2006 news article on Neowin. (though take things you read from Consumerist with a grain of salt; they love blowing things out of proportion)

This claim was shot down in posts 10.4 and 10.5 so I'm not entirely sure what the company AEG had to do with Stardock.

<----Hahahahha, I'm earlier than thou.

I've been here a long time, and I was on staff when Stardock got involved (I think) and I had no problem with it then, and no problem with it now. Brad is a cool guy, he makes awesome games, and runs a great company. Plus Neowin is supported, which is a plus since I love Neowin like all of you do (cept I love it more).

Though maybe Brad should consider changing his nick to FrogMAN...just a thought :D

<----Hahahahha, I'm earlier than thou. j/k, almost

I do not understand what the major issue is, Stardock/Frogboy has helped Neowin stay online and that is what matters most!!

:)

Many of the critical responses to software or anything related to the company in our news and forums are unfair and unfounded, there are a few things these members should note before adding little or nothing more than trolling to such posts on Neowin.

<snip>

Of all the negative comments ive seen, its to do with the products themselves, not Brad. I couldn't care less if he is part of Neowin or not. However, there was an issue where I felt he was making unfair and negative comments about someone simply because they didnt throw themselves at his feet over a new Windowblinds skin. Thats why I have the opinion I do. Not his affiliation with Neowin. And creating a thread about someone's feelings being hurt? A bit odd if you ask me.

I've got no problem with Stardock, no problem with Brad, and didn't know he got 40%. But that doesn't matter to me as long long as Neowin is as it is, a great website. Not super plastered with ads, no corporate feel, etc... Other websites feel tacky to me. Just keep up the good work guys.

  • 2 weeks later...
  • 4 months later...
This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Posts

    • UniGetUI 2026.2.2 by Razvan Serea UniGetUI is an application whose main goal is to create an intuitive GUI for the most common CLI package managers for Windows 10 and Windows 11, such as Winget, Scoop and Chocolatey. With UniGetUI, you'll be able to download, install, update and uninstall any software that's published on the supported package managers — and so much more. UniGetUI features Install, update and remove software from your system easily at one click: UniGetUI combines the packages from the most used package managers for windows: WinGet, Chocolatey, Scoop, Pip, Npm and .NET Tool. Discover new packages and filter them to easily find the package you want. View detailed metadata about any package before installing it. Get the direct download URL or the name of the publisher, as well as the size of the download. Easily bulk-install, update or uninstall multiple packages at once selecting multiple packages before performing an operation Automatically update packages, or be notified when updates become available. Skip versions or completely ignore updates in a per-package basis. Manage your available updates at the touch of a button from the Widgets pane or from Dev Home pane with UniGetUI Widgets. The system tray icon will also show the available updates and installed package, to efficiently update a program or remove a package from your system. Easily customize how and where packages are installed. Select different installation options and switches for each package. Install an older version or force to install a 32bit architecture. [But don't worry, those options will be saved for future updates for this package] Share packages with your friends to show them off that program you found. Here is an example: Hey @friend, Check out this program! Export custom lists of packages to then import them to another machine and install those packages with previously-specified, custom installation parameters. Setting up machines or configuring a specific software setup has never been easier. Backup your packages to a local file to easily recover your setup in a matter of seconds when migrating to a new machine Devolutions UniGetUI 2026.2.2 changelog: This release marks the completion of UniGetUI's migration from WinUI to Avalonia. With the remaining WinUI components and dependencies now removed, UniGetUI is fully powered by Avalonia. This update also brings Windows 11 Snap Layouts support, refined styling throughout the application, improved log viewing, new illustrations, and significantly smaller release packages. Highlights Further refined the Avalonia user interface to better match WinUI styling and behavior across package lists, navigation elements, dialogs, and controls. Added support for Windows 11 Snap Layouts when hovering the maximize button, matching the behavior of native Windows applications. Added illustrations for empty and loading package list states, improving visual feedback throughout the application. Improved the operation log window so automatic scrolling no longer interrupts users when reviewing previous log entries. Reduced installer and application package sizes, resulting in smaller downloads and a significantly leaner Windows distribution. User Interface Improvements Improved package list styling, column headers, backgrounds, hover states, and selection indicators for a more polished and consistent experience. Refined sidebar navigation and segmented controls to better align with modern Windows design patterns. Improved package tag badges and icon presentation throughout the application. Updated several labels, placeholders, and interface elements for improved clarity and consistency. Removed the remaining WinUI-specific styling dependencies, further consolidating the application around Avalonia. Windows Improvements Added native Windows 11 Snap Layouts integration for the maximize button. Improved maximize button hover and pressed visual states to more closely match native Windows behavior. Performance & Reliability Reduced the size of Windows release packages by removing unnecessary runtime dependencies and optimizing published builds. Reduced installer size through improved compression settings. Simplified application dependencies and reduced overall maintenance complexity. Fixes Fixed log output auto-scrolling behavior when manually reviewing previous entries. Resolved various UI inconsistencies and styling issues across the Avalonia interface. Addressed several minor issues and edge cases throughout the application. Other Changes Dependency cleanup and project maintenance. Internal code refactoring and infrastructure improvements. Additional test coverage and build pipeline optimizations. Download: UniGetUI 64-bit | Portable | ~90.0 MB (Open Source) Download: UniGetUI ARM64 | Portable Links: UniGetUI Home Page | GitHub | Screenshot Get alerted to all of our Software updates on Twitter at @NeowinSoftware
    • The best controller for XBOX and PC is down to the lowest price by Taras Buria Image via Neowin The GameSir G7 Pro is a fantastic controller for XBOX and PC. Officially certified, it works with Microsoft's consoles, mobile devices, and PCs, giving you a universal controller for any kind of gaming machine. And right now, you can save 20% on it, thanks to the latest deal during Prime Day 2026 (purchase link below). The G7 Pro has the classic XBOX layout, complemented by a couple of extra elements, such as the M button for changing various settings and four additional remappable buttons. It also has trigger locks and TMR sticks that eliminate drifting issues, giving you a reliable, long-lasting gamepad. The controller is powered by a built-in battery, which charges via a USB Type-C cable or the bundled dock station. The G7 Pro supports wireless (XBOX Wireless, proprietary dongle, or Bluetooth) and wired connectivity. In addition to software customization (you can remap multiple buttons to different actions), it lets you personalize the look by swapping the faceplate or grips, enabling multiple design combinations. Other features include a 1,000Hz polling rate, an audio jack for your headphones, Hall Effect triggers, and a swappable D-pad (two extra are included). The controller is also available in four color variants, and all of them are now discounted. Thanks to quality materials, reliable components, rich customization, universal compatibility, and an affordable price tag, the G7 Pro received very high praise in our review. It is certainly among the best controllers you can buy. GameSir G7 Pro - $63.99 | 20% off with Prime Good to know This Amazon deal is U.S. specific, and not available in other regions unless specified. We only use first-party seller links (at the time of article publishing); ensure that you purchase from a first-party seller link only. Check out Today's Deals on Amazon | or our recent tech deals. Become a Prime member (for Students or SNAP) via Neowin Get Prime Access - Prime for half price (for qualifying Medicaid, EBT, SNAP) Subscribe to Prime Video, Audible Plus, Music Unlimited or Kindle Unlimited via Neowin As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
    • Microsoft further improving Windows 11 Taskbar with latest builds by Sayan Sen Microsoft has released new Windows 11 builds for users flighting the Experimental channels. The new builds are 26300.8758 for Windows 11 26H2, 28120.2374 for 26H1, and 29617.1000 for future platforms. There are improvements related to the Taskbar, File Explorer and more with the new update. The full changelogs are given below: First we have the build 26300.8758: Changes and improvements gradually being rolled out [Taskbar] Taskbar customization just got easier. As we continue to make improvements to the Taskbar experience mentioned last month, we've introduced a dedicated Taskbar Size setting, making it simpler to find, understand, and personalize your ideal taskbar experience. UI showing the new Taskbar Size setting in Settings. We've also made refinements to the transitions between taskbar sizes for a smoother overall experience. [File Explorer] We've improved the reliability of thumbnail previews for cloud files in the Details pane. The pane has also been reorganized so file properties are easier to find and review at a glance. Fixed an issue where the OneDrive shortcut in File Explorer stops working when File Explorer is run in administrative mode. Fixed an issue where the confirmation dialog might display an internal Recycle Bin file name instead of the original file name when permanently deleting a file. [Sounds] Improved system sounds when using Windows in dark mode. Up next we have build 28120.2374: Changes and improvements gradually being rolled out This update includes a small set of general improvements and fixes [Mobile Device Settings] You can add and manage your mobile devices in Settings under Bluetooth & Devices > Mobile Devices. On this page, you can manage features such as using your device as a connected camera or accessing your device's files in File Explorer. [Remote Recovery Management] Added a recovery remote management plug-in to extend WinRE management capabilities for MDM providers. [Input] The emoji panel (Windows key + period (.)) now uses GIPHY as the GIF provider, delivering a smoother GIF browsing and sharing experience following the deprecation of the Tenor API. Finally we have the changelog for Windows 11 build 29617.1000: Changes and improvements gradually being rolled out [Windows Update] As announced in the Windows Update announce blog, we are now bringing a new unified update experience to reduce the number of reboots you see per month. We are starting by coordinating driver, .NET, and firmware updates to align with the monthly quality update, reducing the update experience to a single monthly restart. See the blog for more information. [Windows Magnifier] Magnifier now gives you more control over how you zoom. You can type an exact zoom percentage directly in the magnifier toolbar to land on precisely the level you need. We've also added preset step increments (5%, 10%, 25%, 50%, 100%, 150%, 200%, and 400%) to the Settings dropdown, so you can jump to common levels in a single click. Whether you need a subtle boost or a dramatic close-up, Magnifier adapts to how you want to zoom. Enter an exact percentage or jump to preset steps —5% up to 400%. Feedback: Share your thoughts in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Accessibility > Magnifier. [Accessibility] We're introducing screen tint, a new accessibility setting that applies a color overlay across your entire display, softening its intensity so it's easier on your eyes throughout the day. If bright, saturated screens leave you with tired or sensitive eyes by the end of a long session, screen tint can help. Screenshot showing UI for screen tint in Accessibility, with color presets and a strength slider. To get started, open Settings > Accessibility (or press WIN + U) and look for screen tint under the Vision section. From there, you can: Pick from six preset colors or choose a custom color of your own. Adjust the tint strength slider from a subtle wash to full intensity. Night light warms your display to reduce blue light that can interfere with sleep. Screen tint reduces overall screen intensity to ease eye fatigue and light sensitivity during the day. They tackle different problems and you can use both at the same time, one working on warmth and the other on intensity. Note that turning on screen tint will disable color filters, and vice versa. If you currently rely on color filters, you might need to keep screen tint turned off. Feedback: Share your thoughts in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Accessibility > Narrator. [Voice Access] Voice Access now supports Portuguese (Portugal), Portuguese (Brazil), and Korean (South Korea). [Audio] Continuing our work on improving Sound Settings, we've made a few more updates in this build: We've adjusted the description text for the Allow option in properties for audio devices to include the current state of the device, to improve the clarity of the text and the purpose of the button actions. "Listen to this device" is now available in properties for audio devices, so you don't need to enter Control Panel for this functionality. [Multiple Desktops] Improved explorer reliability when switching between multiple desktops. [Storage] We've updated the dialog when creating a Dev Drive to now support specifying the size in GB instead of only MB. This has also been added when changing the size of volumes under Settings > System > Storage. [Personalization] This update improves color selection accuracy when adjusting your accent color to match your wallpaper when automatic accent color selection is enabled in Personalization settings. This update improves wallpaper persistence reliability across restarts and upgrades, including better support for large-resolution wallpapers and other scenarios to prevent solid color wallpaper fallback. [Display and Graphics] Improves the reliability and persistence of applying color profiles. You can view the official blog posts here (link1, link2, link3) on Microsoft's site.
    • Windows 11 is getting redesigned taskbar settings in new build by Taras Buria Microsoft is rolling out new Windows 11 preview builds in the Insider program, offering users new features and changes to try ahead of public release. In the Experimental channel (formerly Dev), Microsoft is shipping build 26300.8758, while in the Beta channel, users can download build 26220.8754. The changelogs do not contain much, but there is an important update to taskbar settings. Here is what is new in build 26220.8754: [Taskbar] Taskbar customization just got easier. As we continue to make improvements to the Taskbar experience mentioned last month, we've introduced a dedicated Taskbar Size setting, making it simpler to find, understand, and personalize your ideal taskbar experience. We've also made refinements to the transitions between taskbar sizes for a smoother overall experience. [File Explorer] We've improved the reliability of thumbnail previews for cloud files in the Details pane. The pane has also been reorganized so file properties are easier to find and review at a glance. Fixed an issue where the OneDrive shortcut in File Explorer stops working when File Explorer is run in administrative mode. Fixed an issue where the confirmation dialog might display an internal Recycle Bin file name instead of the original file name when permanently deleting a file. [Sounds] Improved system sounds when using Windows in dark mode. And here is what is new in build 26220.8754: [Smart card removal policy] Administrators can now configure Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) and Windows 365 sessions that use Microsoft Entra ID (RDS AAD Auth) authentication to automatically disconnect when a redirected smart card is removed. This extends smart card removal policy enforcement to Microsoft Entra authenticated remote sessions, helping organizations meet security and compliance requirements. [File Explorer] Fixed an issue where the OneDrive shortcut in File Explorer stops working when File Explorer is run in administrator mode. [Taskbar] Improved reliability of loading the system tray area of the taskbar. [Sounds] Improved system sounds when using Windows in dark mode. You can find release notes for build 26300.8758 here and for build 26220.8754 here.
  • Recent Achievements

    • One Year In
      bernmeister earned a badge
      One Year In
    • Week One Done
      Scoobystu earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • Week One Done
      tuben earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • First Post
      OffsetAbs earned a badge
      First Post
    • Reacting Well
      OffsetAbs earned a badge
      Reacting Well
  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      441
    2. 2
      +Edouard
      197
    3. 3
      PsYcHoKiLLa
      156
    4. 4
      FloatingFatMan
      71
    5. 5
      Steven P.
      67
  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!