I've recently been reminded on why I like Stardock so much. I did a fresh install of Windows 7 Ultimate and consequently had to reinstall all my games.  I installed my copy of Spore, complete with the 2 year download "protection" and when I tried to run it I was greeted with an activiation limit has been exceeded error message.  I knew this was going to happen eventually since I like to reinstall my OSes fairly often and proceeded to contact EA customer service via their website/email.

They explained that I should be able to clear out the download manager cache and then re-download/reinstall and it will work.  I did that and instead of working I got a slightly different activation error message.  I relayed this to them and their response to me was that I needed to create a pogo.com "classic" account, whatever that is, and then another seperate and new EA account linked to a new email address and then link that account to my old account (that I have had since Sims 1 came out).  And that from now on I will have to use my NEW email address to download/login. 

I thought this was rediculous and thought about sending a nasty email, but I calmed myself down and went through the steps they outlined, responding to them it had been done.  That was 2 almost 3 days ago.  I have not had a response back from them, yet before I was getting responses on Saturday/Sunday just 30 minutes after I replied to them.  I've decided I will not be purchasing from EA anymore and will be recommending to my group of gamer friends to do likewise.

Anyway, thank you Brad/Stardock for treating me and others like valued customers.  I continue to send people your way for business and I will continue to buy first from Impulse.

(if you could poke Ironclad to get us the beta of Diplomacy, I'd appreciate it, LOL)