AFAIK, the FE beta will be distributed using a new Stardock Central app, which is different from the old one, even though it has the same name.  For those who took part in any of the WOM betas, the FE beta will begin on 19 January, otherwise for people who bought WOM later the FE beta will begin for them on 26 January.  Hope this info helps, and best wishes for the new year!

The way it'll work is you'll be able to get FE directly from Stardock in one of two ways:

(1) Use Stardock Central (the NEW one) which is really just a download manager, very streamlined.

or

(2) Go to http://download.stardock.com and download the installer.

It'll use the same UserID and PW as you use on the forum here.

It's supposed to be ready almost immediately after we get back from the break. I think the hold up is that it needs to be able to update itself in a way that is bullet proof.  Not a huge thing but it takes a lot of testing from people trying to screw up the auto updating before they feel good about putting it out there.

I see. That's why this link (https://www.stardock.com/products/sdcentral/) didn't seem to be working when I tried it, even though it has no indication that it's not yet ready.

BTW, I didn't see an option on GALCIV I and II and Sins to 'full install' from the Stardock store, as they are redirected to Impulse former (which I'm no longer using). I trust this will change. I had both Galcivs since the time of the old SDC and would like to have it as such once again.

Thanks.

And it's still up there? Pardon me for my mistaken inference of an old system bearing the same name as the new. I'm just too dumb for you guys.