Tired of Xara running on virtual machine

**Bob Hahn** · 03 May 2008, 04:25 AM

Originally Posted by Charles Moir

No positive news on the Mac version I'm afraid. We have a half working version, but right now need to persuade the powers that be that it's worth finishing this instead of adding more improvements to the Windows version. Of course all Windows users would prefer we keep improving the Windows versions instead.

I'm on the verge of switching to a Mac and the one thing that has me chained to Windows is Xara Xtreme. If there was a Mac version, I'd be in heaven. The thought of using BootCamp or some other software program in order to have Xtreme run doesn't sit well with me. It defeats the whole reason for making the switch.

Recently, I even downloaded the trial version of Illustrator CS3 to see what it was like, and it just gave me a headache. Simple things - like their way of editing a transparancy effect is nuts. And the price is even nuttier.

Mac's are advertised as easy to use, fun, and "it just works." Xara Xtreme is like the perfect Mac program yet only available for the PC.

It's not just "a Mac version" - it's millions of possible new Xara Xtreme users. It's worth finishing. Windows version is good for now.

**eobet** · 03 May 2008, 08:51 AM

Originally Posted by Bob Hahn

Recently, I even downloaded the trial version of Illustrator CS3 to see what it was like, and it just gave me a headache. Simple things - like their way of editing a transparancy effect is nuts. And the price is even nuttier.

The transparency in Illustrator isn't "simple", because you can create way more complex stuff using it, than what you can (simply/easily) accomplish in Xara. However, once you get familiar with the masking concept, you'll probably find it as intuitive, or even more easy to work with than Xara (I did).

The price is big, because the people who use it do big jobs, where the stakes are bigger, which demands big investments but also do big pay-offs. Xara is a hobbyist tool, so for small jobs, you use smaller tools (yes, I know I get flamed by this constantly, but someone has to be the voice of reason... err, I mean the voice of the non-fanboy around here).

Also, you can get the entire CS3 suite for peanuts if you're a student, and for just a peanut or two more, you can get a CS3 student license approved for commercial work (and again, sorry, but if the job you are doing won't cover a full CS3 license, it either won't require it so Xara will be fine, or you got a bad business deal).

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**handrawn** · 03 May 2008, 10:25 AM

I will NOT be going vista [aka 'windows millenium 2']

so either mac or linux - I am coming round to mac - so I would like to see this developed too.

Eobet - I agree with your comments on illustrator, however :

there is no such thing as a 'hobbyist' or a 'professional' tool - only hobbyists and professionals - both at liberty to use what they choose - a true professional could draw on a wall with a burnt stick... if that was the effect they needed...

**pauland** · 03 May 2008, 10:49 AM

Originally Posted by handrawn

a true professional could draw on a wall with a burnt stick... if that was the effect they needed...

Well, I'm not really a professional, but you have summed up my drawing ability.. ;-)

LOL

**handrawn** · 03 May 2008, 11:27 AM

a lot of different definitions of a professional - to me its someone who produces to spec taking on board changes and on time - no more no less, whether they can draw or not - heck they could even sub-contract it

[and notice I did NOT mention being paid - that is not necessary in my definition

]

**sunland** · 03 May 2008, 12:41 PM

Those who are thinking of switching to Mac should not let the fact that there is not a Mac native Xara stop them. Parallels and VMware Fusion are excellent virtual machines. I have been running Xtreme on a low end Mac Mini for a year and a half with excellent results. The only penalty is adding 15 seconds or so to the time it takes to launch Xtreme, which not a lot to pay in the over all scheme of things. The cost for a VM is not high, $80 and you can find deals for around $50, so I say go for it.
adios
sunland

**gnurf** · 03 May 2008, 01:07 PM

I don't want to get into another Illustrator vs. Xara vs. hobby tool vs. pro tool vs. Mac vs. Windows Vista, but... I have used Corel Draw since v. 3 and it has always been almost as intuitive as Xara. I work in the graphical business (freelance and newspaper graphics) and have to use Illustrator from time to time. I guess it is a question of learning curve as it is with everything else, but even Photoshop is 100 times easier to learn than Illustrator... I've really tried to learn how to use Illustrator but it usually drives me bonkers: the selection tools are very non-intuitive, and fills and transparencies are over complicated too. I find myself doing most stuff (about 99 %) in xara and now I mean professional things like newspaper graphics (charts, graphs, tables, maps, illustrations and about everything else). The only things I have to use Illustrator to is editing material that is received as PDF.
When it comes to Windows Vista, it also drives me crazy... I don't really see this as a finished product yet. With our newspaper system and network there has been nothing but pain with the few Vista machines we have tested so far. The only Vista version is of course the most expensive Ultimate - Hell, we need an operating system that is simply an OS that runs the application we need. not the applications that are forced on us! And I would personally switch anytime to a Mac when my XP workhorse's days are over, so to Charles & Co, please consider making a Mac version soon. I'll have to take a closer look on Parallels (which many have suggested).

**Bob Hahn** · 03 May 2008, 01:17 PM

Originally Posted by sunland

Those who are thinking of switching to Mac should not let the fact that there is not a Mac native Xara stop them. Parallels and VMware Fusion are excellent virtual machines. I have been running Xtreme on a low end Mac Mini for a year and a half with excellent results. The only penalty is adding 15 seconds or so to the time it takes to launch Xtreme, which not a lot to pay in the over all scheme of things. The cost for a VM is not high, $80 and you can find deals for around $50, so I say go for it.
adios
sunland

I agree with what you're saying. But from Xara's side of things, that is only catering to Windows users who switched to a Mac, or someone who uses both a Mac and PC and for those programs not available for Mac. There are many Mac users who don't use Windows, so it only makes sense that Xara and the powers that be get a Mac version of Xtreme finished. There could of been a lot of Mac usesers who stumble across Xara Xtreme, only to find out it's only for PC, then it's a "well, forget that then."