The Xara Desktop Applications with and without the Update Service

[louyo]

browj2 and I decided to join forces and explain to the best of our outsider knowledge how the Xara Update Service works and how you can make the best of it.

Here is our document that we hope puts a positive view of the Update Service: http://acorn.xara.hosting/xda/.
As TG has a low file size for PDFs, I have included a PDF download within the website's pages.

Here is the design file for you to keep and add your own insights:Xara Desktop Applications & Update Service.xar.

It just shows how versatile your XDA is: the design file is 361 kB; the PDF is 3.76 MB and the website clocks 0.47 MB (discounting the PDF).

Acorn & browj2

Thanks much, great job.
I run programs like Xara in a virtual machine. To back it up is to just copy the VM's folder. I keep a couple of the latest versions on a NAS. I do some program development, so use VMWare's Workstation Pro ($$) so I can have snapshots. Their Player version is free and, after a learning curve, easy to use. They even have a stand alone program to make a VM from a system. There are other VM programs, mostly free. I prefer to host on a Linux system but that is not a requirement. The only advantage of that is that Linux breaks stuff with updates less often than W10 does.
If I decide not to renew the upgrade service, I can just back up the latest VM in case of a failure.

[Acorn]

Thanks much, great job.
I run programs like Xara in a virtual machine. To back it up is to just copy the VM's folder. I keep a couple of the latest versions on a NAS. I do some program development, so use VMWare's Workstation Pro ($$) so I can have snapshots. Their Player version is free and, after a learning curve, easy to use. They even have a stand alone program to make a VM from a system. There are other VM programs, mostly free. I prefer to host on a Linux system but that is not a requirement. The only advantage of that is that Linux breaks stuff with updates less often than W10 does.
If I decide not to renew the upgrade service, I can just back up the latest VM in case of a failure.

Thanks for your details on VMs. I started on VirtualBox and MS's one but my user profile is corrupt so I am porting things across to a new account before knuckling down.

Acorn

[Gypsyjoe]

Thanks much, great job.
I run programs like Xara in a virtual machine. To back it up is to just copy the VM's folder. I keep a couple of the latest versions on a NAS. I do some program development, so use VMWare's Workstation Pro ($$) so I can have snapshots. Their Player version is free and, after a learning curve, easy to use. They even have a stand alone program to make a VM from a system. There are other VM programs, mostly free. I prefer to host on a Linux system but that is not a requirement. The only advantage of that is that Linux breaks stuff with updates less often than W10 does.
If I decide not to renew the upgrade service, I can just back up the latest VM in case of a failure.

From the way you talk if I run virtual machine if my computer fails I can still keep my updates am I correct in what I am thinking your saying?

[louyo]

From the way you talk if I run virtual machine if my computer fails I can still keep my updates am I correct in what I am thinking your saying?

As long as the virtual machine is backed up, external to your computer, you just copy it back in. A VM is just a bunch of files in a folder. You would have to reinstall the host program.

Lou
Edit: Should mention that there are restrictions in the video drivers. The "video card" is the one provided by the host program. In my case, that is the VMware driver, not the hardware driver by my video card manufacturer. This can be restrictive for things like 3D.

[Gypsyjoe]

I think I like this idea of a virtual machine, is it real hard to set up. I know someone suggested in another thread to wait till v17.1 so they will get the bugs out so I'm waiting until then to buy back in. But I sure like the idea that I would not lose my updates.

[Acorn]

For interest, update of Affinity range (Publisher, Designer, Photo) from 1.8.0 to 1.8.2 was: Download: Update > Yes > (Setup completed successfully) > Close.

@Xara - go figure it out.

Acorn

[letsgofishing]

For interest, update of Affinity range (Publisher, Designer, Photo) from 1.8.0 to 1.8.2 was: Download: Update > Yes > (Setup completed successfully) > Close.

@Xara - go figure it out.

Acorn

Yip - really simple. I'm running Designer & Photo too - really impressed with them besides a couple of niggles

[Acorn]

Yip - really simple. I'm running Designer & Photo too - really impressed with them besides a couple of niggles

All, in Xara's defence of its delivery around Xara Designer Pro+, this is now as simple.

Those on Magix Update Service delivery for the other XDAs - no change from Magix.

Acorn

[Artyboots]

Sorry I could not follow that upgrade document. I just don't get it.

I believe there has been an update but my desktop program XDP is saying I am up to date. I can't find how to update to 2020 without having to sign up to the online service which I will never use. Is this the end of the road? Are we forced to have the online program to get the update to the program that I already own and which has several months left on its renew cycle?


So tired of all this. It used to be so simple. And what we wanted.

All, in Xara's defence of its delivery around Xara Designer Pro+, this is now as simple.

Those on Magix Update Service delivery for the other XDAs - no change from Magix.

Acorn

[wizard509]

Sorry I could not follow that upgrade document. I just don't get it.

I believe there has been an update but my desktop program XDP is saying I am up to date. I can't find how to update to 2020 without having to sign up to the online service which I will never use. Is this the end of the road? Are we forced to have the online program to get the update to the program that I already own and which has several months left on its renew cycle?


So tired of all this. It used to be so simple. And what we wanted.

Yeah was better before the 365 in my opinion, seems like we have lost much of our user base since, could this be one of the reasons TG is suffering and no longer the fun and vital place it once was?

EDIT: We do not OWN the program but lease it.