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Just Released: A New Version of Web Designer
We’ve just launched a new version of Xara Web Designer and Web Designer Premium. You can discover what’s new on our website @ http://www.xara.com/web-designer/whats-new/ and in the more detailed release notes at http://releasenotes.xara.hosting/wd365 but the main points for Web Designer Premium include:
• Enhanced sticky objects (scroll and then stick to top)
• 40 new on reveal animation types
• 30 ‘scrolling animations’ including parallax effects
• Editing enhancements for Xara Online Designer
• Material Design icons added to Font Awesome symbols
• New SmartShapes including charts and photo grids
• New content including all 166 business themes!
• The 365 Update Guarantee
What’s the 365 Update Guarantee? The simple explanation is that it’s a way for you to access new features and content as and when we develop them in the year after you purchase. You can find out more about that at www.xara.com/update-guarantee
And finally we have a demo website for many of the new features @ http://previews.xara.hosting/charity
We hope you enjoy the new version, let us know what you think.
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Re: Just Released: A New Version of Web Designer
Sounds awesome! Downloading as we speak!
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Re: Just Released: A New Version of Web Designer
Quote:
What happens after 365 days?
If you don't upgrade again the 365 Guarantee expires. The premium online services will cease, or fall back to a basic service. For current 365 products this means:
- Web Designer: The free hosting and free Online Designer continue, but the Online Content Catalog will no longer be accessible*
- Web Designer Premium: The M hosting falls back to the free hosting offer, the Premium Xara Online Designer falls back to the free Online Designer, the Online Content Catalog will no longer be accessible*
In addition you will no longer receive feature or content updates. The copy(s) that you have installed at the time of expiry will continue to run indefinitely,
BUT if you re-install on a new machine after the Guarantee has expired then the new installation will fall back to the version you originally purchased.
So let me get this straight. A first copy will be continually upgraded to new features/content during the 365 day period.
However, if I have a hard drive failure after the 365 day subscription period and I have not chosen to renew, then I get the base product and not the features/content I paid for through the 365 days?
Sounds great. Sounds wonderful. Sounds ...
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Re: Just Released: A New Version of Web Designer
Quote:
Originally Posted by
katemoir
We hope you enjoy the new version, let us know what you think.
Kate, the downside I am seeing is the loss of Online Content Catalog, which will no longer be accessible if I let the 365 Guarantee lapse. Why?
Acorn
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Re: Just Released: A New Version of Web Designer
Quote:
Originally Posted by
mwenz
So let me get this straight. A first copy will be continually upgraded to new features/content during the 365 day period.
However, if I have a hard drive failure after the 365 day subscription period and I have not chosen to renew, then I get the base product and not the features/content I paid for through the 365 days?
Sounds great. Sounds wonderful. Sounds ...
Good call, it perpetuates the locked out syndrome that some users are already suffering.
Acorn
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Re: Just Released: A New Version of Web Designer
@ mwenz. tis your choice though. You could, if you prefer, buy the new version now and get the new features mentioned above, and then reject any updates, wait for next year and then buy a new version - at which point you'd get the features we developed in the interim. That puts you in the same position as our v11 model. But it seems to me that you would be missing out on the benefits of 365, which give you access to next year's feature before next year. And bear in mind, this isn't an Adobe like subscription, you don't lose everything if you stop paying, if you buy an upgrade now you'll get a perpetual license to today's new version.
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Re: Just Released: A New Version of Web Designer
Acorn, the Online Content Catalog is the means to deliver new content, so like the program updates it stops at the end of 365. Two things to bear in mind though: Firstly you could buy the back-up CD which includes the full template set (always offered as an option when you purchase) and install from that even after the 365 days and/or if you are offline, and secondly you can download the content from the Content Catalog into your Designs Gallery at any time within the 365 days. Release notes have the details.
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Re: Just Released: A New Version of Web Designer
Kate, I understand both Xara's and Adobe's schemes rather well.
But you are glossing over the point. If I pay for XDP (in my case) when it arrives, I get all the benefits of the updates to features and content over the next 365 days. If I choose not to renew, then those features and content that were updated during the 365 days are still available in the perpetually licensed copy.
Until a hard drive crash. Or, until I decide to buy a new computer. Then the copy reverts to the base installation.
This seems to be neither ethical nor legal. If I paid for all the features or content released throught the 365 days of my subscription, that is exactly what I expect to have should I buy a new computer and move my license to that computer.
You keep comparing it to a new version under the =<X11 model. But it is not. For instance, will there be fixes during the 365 day period that are also installed during updates to features/content? Should I then not subscribe, move to a new computer and the application reverts to the base version, what happens to bug fix updates?
This new scheme seems to be a morphodite of various subscription schemes that has not been well thought out if the above is true. Pretty much just like Xara/Magix copy-protection scheme.
And the name is Mike, Kate.
Take care, Mike
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Re: Just Released: A New Version of Web Designer
Quote:
Originally Posted by
katemoir
Acorn, the Online Content Catalog is the means to deliver new content, so like the program updates it stops at the end of 365. Two things to bear in mind though: Firstly you could buy the back-up CD which includes the full template set (always offered as an option when you purchase) and install from that even after the 365 days and/or if you are offline, and secondly you can download the content from the Content Catalog into your Designs Gallery at any time within the 365 days. Release notes have the details.
Kate, whatever would I buy a CD at the start of my 365 days for? I might consider it as a graceful exit from cover if it had all the updates for the period of my cover.
What happens if I offer up a Xara design file that have the latest gizmo in TG and a recipient downloads and tries it?
It has been bad enough assisting TGers with different versions; you've just magnified the problem.
I have earlier versions of the Xara products that already access the on-line content for that version. I hope these are not being discontinued?
If I can download the content then you are removing a capability that really costs you little to maintain.
You must be able to partition paid-for new content from content delivered after the 365-day expiry.
I think you have just invented Crippleware.
Acorn
P.S. What about purchases in a Leap Year?
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Re: Just Released: A New Version of Web Designer
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Acorn
...
P.S. What about purchases in a Leap Year?
;))
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Re: Just Released: A New Version of Web Designer
Quote:
Originally Posted by
katemoir
We’ve just launched a new version of Xara Web Designer and Web Designer Premium.
Kate, where do we find "Gary Priester’s traditional First Look"?
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Re: Just Released: A New Version of Web Designer
I like the new Parallax animation!
It even let's you assign different speeds to different objects... making the end result quite layered.
Not sure how it looks on mobile (the sample pages from Xara are choppy on MY phone)... but looks interesting on the desktop!
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Re: Just Released: A New Version of Web Designer
Hi, when I purchased Xara web designer v11 premium I was able to install it on 2 computers that I own and use, will I be able to do the same with XWDP 365?
Thanks
Roly
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Re: Just Released: A New Version of Web Designer
No First Look I'm afraid. My first look was today. :O
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Re: Just Released: A New Version of Web Designer
Not jumping up and down with job! Parallax feature is a trend that slowly is going out of style. The other features really do not excite me much. Don't get me wrong, I love xara but these added features did not require a year to implement.
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Re: Just Released: A New Version of Web Designer
True... Just eye candy.
But what I do like is you can name/rename objects in the Page & Layer Gallery!
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Re: Just Released: A New Version of Web Designer
Can anyone please clarify this for me? In the 'Your 365 Questions Answered' section on the 365 DAY UPDATE GUARANTEE page it says "The copy(s) that you have installed at the time of expiry will continue to run indefinitely, BUT if you re-install on a new machine after the Guarantee has expired then the new installation will fall back to the version you originally purchased." Does this mean to the first version of 365 that I purchased, but with none of the incremental updates I have received since the initial install? Or does it mean my previous version of xara web designer i.e. v9, 10 or 11 before I invested in 365?
Finally, regarding the online content gallery, any key widgets, templates and images that I use, I presume I can just make sure I have copies of them locally if I decided not to renew?
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Re: Just Released: A New Version of Web Designer
Quote:
Originally Posted by
gwpriester
No First Look I'm afraid. My first look was today. :O
That's too bad because with every new version your 'First Look' brought the new features to life. Thank you again for all past presentations, Gary. =D>
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Re: Just Released: A New Version of Web Designer
Gary, if Xara didn't tell you about this, they've treated you pretty shabbily.
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Re: Just Released: A New Version of Web Designer
Could someone confirm for me that the spiral shape is not showing in the insert shapes.
Reply received from Xara:
The Spiral smart shape was removed from Web Designer Premium but will be included in Designer Pro and Photo & Graphics Designer. Please note we will be creating and releasing additional smartshapes on a regular basis.
The release notes:
You can now vary the number of sides on the spiral SmartShape, and vary the spacing to be non-linear to
produce 3D effects such as this.
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Re: Just Released: A New Version of Web Designer
I agree totally with behzad, I have spent some time going through the new offering and can honestly say I was totally underwhelmed. This will be the very first time I will not be upgrading immediately, and that is without all the confusion that the "365 Update Guarantee" brings with it.
I have always been very quick, (same day usually) to upgrade but I am not jumping to it this time. The 'new' templates do not seem to bring anything new to the table that I cannot do already? It might be that the way Xara is displaying them on the preview, within some sort of display frame and maybe some of the new effects are just not happening?
I use another third-party template provider who can really make Xara sing, and he is excited about this new launch and I might have to upgrade just because he will be using some of the newer features. But that would be the only reason I would eventually upgrade, just to keep compliant with him. In fact, it is from this designer that I got the heads up regarding this upgrade (and not Xara, which seems rather strange) and I am wondering if he will still be 'excited' to use the new version when he has more time to discover the rather limited features this lauded version actually offers?
I am a big fan of Xara, and this particular forum, but they just do not seem to make the best of its own features. I simply do not use any of their templates (i often start with a template and end up with something completely different) and looking through their new selection, there does not seem to be even one I cannot create already with X11? By including their complete catalog of 166 business themes is not even a good enough 'pull' for me to upgrade. I have often looked through ALL those templates in the past looking for inspiration, but always came away empty-handed.
I look forward to more conversation on the new version and in the meantime wait for the definitive review by gwpriester who is the most knowledgeable and helpful moderator on here, even if it sounds like he is not treated with the respect he deserves from Xara themselves.
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Re: Just Released: A New Version of Web Designer
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Originally Posted by
andymack
I look forward to more conversation on the new version and in the meantime wait for the definitive review by gwpriester who is the most knowledgeable and helpful moderator on here, even if it sounds like he is not treated with the respect he deserves from Xara themselves.
Absolutely.
Maybe Gary would have had you reaching for the "Buy Now" button with a first look.
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Re: Just Released: A New Version of Web Designer
I've just checked that for you Christine and in fact it seems the spiral SmartShape was never in Web Designer, only in PGD and Pro. So it's the release notes that are wrong.
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Re: Just Released: A New Version of Web Designer
Quote:
Originally Posted by
roly
Hi, when I purchased Xara web designer v11 premium I was able to install it on 2 computers that I own and use, will I be able to do the same with XWDP 365?
Thanks
Roly
Yes, this hasn't changed. You can install on two, and you can deactivate either of them via the Help menu if you want to install on a new computer.
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Re: Just Released: A New Version of Web Designer
Quote:
Originally Posted by
jacobitejake
Can anyone please clarify this for me? In the 'Your 365 Questions Answered' section on the 365 DAY UPDATE GUARANTEE page it says "The copy(s) that you have installed at the time of expiry will continue to run indefinitely, BUT if you re-install on a new machine after the Guarantee has expired then the new installation will fall back to the version you originally purchased." Does this mean to the first version of 365 that I purchased, but with none of the incremental updates I have received since the initial install? Or does it mean my previous version of xara web designer i.e. v9, 10 or 11 before I invested in 365?
Finally, regarding the online content gallery, any key widgets, templates and images that I use, I presume I can just make sure I have copies of them locally if I decided not to renew?
If you purchase today, then it would fall back to today's version, not some previous version. And yes, you can download content from the Content Catalog to your Local Designs Gallery (details in the release notes).
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1 Attachment(s)
Re: Just Released: A New Version of Web Designer
Kate - you are wrong. The spiral shape is in WD11 Premium. See attached image.
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1 Attachment(s)
Re: Just Released: A New Version of Web Designer
Quote:
Originally Posted by
katemoir
If you purchase today, then it would fall back to today's version, not some previous version...
Attachment 112396
*If you are silly enough to ever, ever have a hard drive crash or actually want to upgrade your computer. Ever.
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Re: Just Released: A New Version of Web Designer
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Christine Farrelly
Kate - you are wrong. The spiral shape is in WD11 Premium. See attached image.
Ah yes, you're absolutely right. It isn't in the Content Catalog or Designs Gallery with the other shapes but it is in the Insert Menu. That looks like a mistake in the Insert Menu in v11 because our product notes tell us it isn't in WD! So what you can do is insert it and save the xar from WD11, then add it to your Designs Gallery in v12 using More > Add designs from Disc.
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Re: Just Released: A New Version of Web Designer
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Re: Just Released: A New Version of Web Designer
Followed Kate's instructions and the spiral even gets the new features.
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Re: Just Released: A New Version of Web Designer
regarding hard drive failures..
at present if that happened then the product could still be deactivated, by logging onto your xara account; the licence could then be reactivated on a new/repaired computer
maybe Xara could confirm if that will still be the case and that the updates will be maintained [as it appears they will be if the licence is deactivated from within the program help]
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Re: Just Released: A New Version of Web Designer
The issue with a future HD failure or even installation on a new computer comes into play following the one-year purchase and not re-upping for the next one-year period. It's not about activation/deactivation.
The application simply reverts back to as it was the day you purchased it, loosing all the content, new features AND bug fixes that came out following, but during, that year following the purchase.
There is no confusion on this point.
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Re: Just Released: A New Version of Web Designer
Quote:
Originally Posted by
katemoir
@ mwenz. tis your choice though. You could, if you prefer, buy the new version now and get the new features mentioned above, and then reject any updates, wait for next year and then buy a new version - at which point you'd get the features we developed in the interim.
No, the scheme is not so simple as all that. It's a silly straw-man argument.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
katemoir
That puts you in the same position as our v11 model...
Kate, one prime difference between the old scheme and the new one is in regards to bug fixes and/or any new content/features added during a release cycle.
Under the new scheme, once it reverts back to day-one install for any reason, one looses out on any bug fixes that have occurred during the one-year subscription.
Under the old scheme, I could be stranded on a desert island for the next 10 years, be rescued, buy a new computer, reinstall X11 or older, and apply all the bug fixes (and any added content, features) that came out for that particular XDP version. Period.
You do see the differences, don't you?
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Re: Just Released: A New Version of Web Designer
Quote:
Originally Posted by
mwenz
The issue with a future HD failure or even installation on a new computer comes into play following the one-year purchase and not re-upping for the next one-year period. It's not about activation/deactivation.
The application simply reverts back to as it was the day you purchased it, loosing all the content, new features AND bug fixes that came out following, but during, that year following the purchase.
There is no confusion on this point.
if that is the case - if a deactivation after the one year period is up, loses all the updates and bug fixes that accumulated during the year - then it really renders ineffective the machine transferablitiy after that year [unless you upgrade again]... hummm
no, I don't like the sound of that at all
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Re: Just Released: A New Version of Web Designer
I have been out quite a bit and have only had a short time to test drive the new features. There was a comment made about parallax scrolling being on its way out, and while that may or may not be true, there are some really cool new effects that cry out for an inventive designer to use to create the next parallax scrolling.
I like the new control handles on photo images. I'll report back in a few days with more observations.
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Re: Just Released: A New Version of Web Designer
Quote:
Originally Posted by
mwenz
No, the scheme is not so simple as all that. It's a silly straw-man argument.
Kate, one prime difference between the old scheme and the new one is in regards to bug fixes and/or any new content/features added during a release cycle.
Under the new scheme, once it reverts back to day-one install for any reason, one looses out on any bug fixes that have occurred during the one-year subscription.
Under the old scheme, I could be stranded on a desert island for the next 10 years, be rescued, buy a new computer, reinstall X11 or older, and apply all the bug fixes (and any added content, features) that came out for that particular XDP version. Period.
You do see the differences, don't you?
Mike, what I'm wondering is which of the common alternatives you would prefer - the old system (no access to next year's features until next year) or an Adobe-like subscription (get new features as you go along but lose all installed versions completely at the end of 365 days)? We are trying to find a way of offering some of the advantages of subscription without actually making it a subscription, while still making it profitable enough for us to carry on doing anything at all! Now I have a little suspicion that you will not be completely happy with any answer I give, but fyi the reversion will include any bug fixes we've issued for that version.
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Re: Just Released: A New Version of Web Designer
Christine - You can also copy the spiral from Designer Pro X or WD 11 and paste it into WD 365. Love the new controls. It appears that quite a bit of thought has gone into rethinking the control handles. Much more elegant.
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Re: Just Released: A New Version of Web Designer
Okay correct me if I'm wrong (I'm trying to understand all this) so if you don't renew the 365 guarantee it's just the additional content of the content catalogue you lose? any bug fixes or new features added into the program its self you would keep?
so a new smart shape you would lose unless you made a local copy but a new feature like a new animation type or a new page transition that is part of the program you would keep it as long as it was released with in your initial 365 days?
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Re: Just Released: A New Version of Web Designer
No, I believe you lose everything except for bug fixes, you would probably want to reinstall v11 then :(
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Re: Just Released: A New Version of Web Designer
Is there some way of accessing the local gallery files on your hard drive so you can backup the files and then replace them, put them back, if you had to reinstall 365 after your upgrade had ran out?