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1 Attachment(s)
The Xara Desktop Applications with and without the Update Service
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::pointAttachment 126529.
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 :-bd
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Re: The Xara Desktop Applications with and without the Update Service
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Re: The Xara Desktop Applications with and without the Update Service
WD only comes in 64 bit now, we don't produce any 32 bit versions.
I mean doesn't change much but still :)
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Re: The Xara Desktop Applications with and without the Update Service
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Rob-Xar
WD only comes in 64 bit now, we don't produce any 32 bit versions.
I mean doesn't change much but still :)
Head slap. Of course it must - same codebase.
Edited in website and PDF but not TG upload.
Thanks.
Acorn
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Re: The Xara Desktop Applications with and without the Update Service
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Re: The Xara Desktop Applications with and without the Update Service
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Re: The Xara Desktop Applications with and without the Update Service
Two thumbs up. Great resource. Thanks, both, for your effort and for sharing.
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Re: The Xara Desktop Applications with and without the Update Service
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Acorn
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::point
Attachment 126529.
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 :-bd
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 ($$) so I can have snapshots. Their Player version is free and, after a learning curve, easy to use. They even have a stand alone program to make a VM from a system. There are other VM programs, mostly free. I prefer to host on a Linux system but that is not a requirement. The only advantage of that is that Linux breaks stuff with updates less often than W10 does. :)
If I decide not to renew the upgrade service, I can just back up the latest VM in case of a failure.
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Re: The Xara Desktop Applications with and without the Update Service
Quote:
Originally Posted by
louyo
Thanks much, great job.
I run programs like Xara in a virtual machine. To back it up is to just copy the VM's folder. I keep a couple of the latest versions on a NAS. I do some program development, so use VMWare's Workstation Pro ($$) 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
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Re: The Xara Desktop Applications with and without the Update Service
Quote:
Originally Posted by
louyo
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?
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Re: The Xara Desktop Applications with and without the Update Service
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
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Re: The Xara Desktop Applications with and without the Update Service
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Gypsyjoe
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.
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Re: The Xara Desktop Applications with and without the Update Service
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.
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Re: The Xara Desktop Applications with and without the Update Service
Quote:
Originally Posted by
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
Yip - really simple. I'm running Designer & Photo too - really impressed with them besides a couple of niggles
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Re: The Xara Desktop Applications with and without the Update Service
Quote:
Originally Posted by
letsgofishing
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
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Re: The Xara Desktop Applications with and without the Update Service
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.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Acorn
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
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Re: The Xara Desktop Applications with and without the Update Service
Quote:
Originally Posted by
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.
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.
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Re: The Xara Desktop Applications with and without the Update Service
Quote:
Originally Posted by
wizard509
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.
Thanks.
So can I get the August update or not? It’s not coming in if I try manually from the Check for Updates.
Ali
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Re: The Xara Desktop Applications with and without the Update Service
if you are still have an active update service and are still on version 16, download the latest version 17 and install it using the activation key you were given when you purchased version 16
magix update service does not cross version numbers afaik
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Re: The Xara Desktop Applications with and without the Update Service
Quote:
Originally Posted by
handrawn
if you are still have an active update service and are still on version 16, download the latest version 17 and install it using the activation key you were given when you purchased version 16
magix update service does not cross version numbers afaik
I already have the latest version afaik.
Getting so tired of this. It looks like xara’s desktop base is now being asked to prop up the online program. I can’t work out why else it’s being done this way.
It shouldn’t be this convoluted. Anything that needs a flow chart to work out isn’t clear enough.
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Re: The Xara Desktop Applications with and without the Update Service
there are two channels now
the one that updates through magix, whiere renewal is optional, but you lose access to OCC and some other stuff if you don't
the one that you can now get directly from xara, where renewal is not optional and if you don't renew you loose access to the entire program [this option is called 'pro+' and integrates with xara cloud]
if, as I suspect, you are on the first channel and happy to stay there, you don't really need to worry about any of this
if you post up your version number someone can verify you are up to date
the situation is not helped for those on the first channel by magix update notification system glitches
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Re: The Xara Desktop Applications with and without the Update Service
Quote:
Originally Posted by
handrawn
there are two channels now
the one that updates through magix, whiere renewal is optional, but you lose access to OCC and some other stuff if you don't
the one that you can now get directly from xara, where renewal is not optional and if you don't renew you loose access to the entire program [this option is called 'pro+' and integrates with xara cloud]
if, as I suspect, you are on the first channel and happy to stay there, you don't really need to worry about any of this
if you post up your version number someone can verify you are up to date
the situation is not helped for those on the first channel by magix update notification system glitches
Thank you very much.
Incidentally, anyone having problems with the online content? Suddenly gone very slow to load, and reports security errors. Often won’t load...
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Re: The Xara Desktop Applications with and without the Update Service
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Artyboots
Thank you very much.
Incidentally, anyone having problems with the online content? Suddenly gone very slow to load, and reports security errors. Often won’t load...
I have to admit, it's very slow here as well. I am on a verified 50Mbps connection and the Xara online content is extremely slow.
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Re: The Xara Desktop Applications with and without the Update Service
i have updated the website, http://acorn.xara.hosting/xda/, to reflect the inclusion of Xara Cloud+ & Xara Pro+ subscriptions.
Acorn
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Re: The Xara Desktop Applications with and without the Update Service
Excellent work for untangling these questions.
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Re: The Xara Desktop Applications with and without the Update Service
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Acorn
Hi Acorn,
That is a comprehensive document superbly put together i must say
i sort of had this confusion running around my mind many times.
and really highlights the muddle Xara and Magix have caused with their merger.
the persistent pop nag screen that we are not able to disable has now morphed
into a new nag type screen?
I have just clicked the dont show this again and then cancel and that seems to have stopped the nag screen ?
did Magix /Xara actually listen and help us disable the nags?
Kind regards
Condor
Attachment 128313
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1 Attachment(s)
Re: The Xara Desktop Applications with and without the Update Service
I also did not find the newer version installed alongside the previous version. Also one question Acorn. If I move from Pro to cloud. Does Xara when my subscription expires remains for me to use or I have to continue subscription?
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Re: The Xara Desktop Applications with and without the Update Service
Quote:
Originally Posted by
behzad
I also did not find the newer version installed alongside the previous version. Also one question Acorn. If I move from Pro to cloud. Does Xara when my subscription expires remains for me to use or I have to continue subscription?
behzad, thanks for the screenshot! I failed to capture it when I updated. I, too, don't have access to any earlier version. There are backed-up versions on my machine but no detail as to re-instate them.
If you move to XPro+, you have two possible routes:
- Tell Xara you want your XPro+ Update Service remaining cover to be added to your new subscription.
- Allow the Magix Update Service (MUS) to run out so you would have access to all online content until that time.
If (1.), remember to use Download All to get assets into you local cache.
When subscribing, do remember to include the LIFETIME voucher code to get a forever 50% discount.
When your MUS has stopped, you can still use your XDPX application, just without on-line assets.
No need to renew.
After your XPro+ up-front one year of subs has passed you can then choose to continue or stop and buy an update into the MUS all over again.
It will be interesting to see if LIFETIME cover includes lengthy sabbaticals should you ever decide to resubscribe.
Acorn
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Re: The Xara Desktop Applications with and without the Update Service
Wow the lifetime deal is too good to resist. Thank you and soon I will join the ship or xara cloud sailers :)
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Really apologize if this has been answered, but I looked at the excellent posts and Acorn's page as well.
Here's my scenario:
1. Say, I purchased XDPX in 2018) (I will call it XDPX Version 16)
2. Say I have been using the update service every year, with the $129 update/renewal fee.
3. Let's say in 2021, I don't renew.
4. Now for some reason, I have to re-install XDPX on my new laptop, since my old is now dead.
Question: So, am I now going to get the 4 year old XDPX Version 16 ?? Even though I paid for 3 years worth of upgrades ?
Thank you!
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Re: The Xara Desktop Applications with and without the Update Service
This is all very hypothetical. :)
I am not sure what the answer is. My guess is you should be able to get back to your last update. But that is theoretical.
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Re: The Xara Desktop Applications with and without the Update Service
Quote:
Originally Posted by
EuropaViewer
Really apologize if this has been answered, but I looked at the excellent posts and Acorn's page as well.
Here's my scenario:
1. Say, I purchased XDPX in 2018) (I will call it XDPX Version 16)
2. Say I have been using the update service every year, with the $129 update/renewal fee.
3. Let's say in 2021, I don't renew.
4. Now for some reason, I have to re-install XDPX on my new laptop, since my old is now dead.
Question: So, am I now going to get the 4 year old XDPX Version 16 ?? Even though I paid for 3 years worth of upgrades ?
Thank you!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
gwpriester
This is all very hypothetical. :)
I am not sure what the answer is. My guess is you should be able to get back to your last update. But that is theoretical.
EuropaViewer, Xara is quite clear in the EULA that a purchase rolls back to the version of that purchase (actually registration) date so if you renew when version 18.1 comes out in the hypothetical future, you would be able to reactivate a fresh install to v18.1, v18.0, ..., all the way back to v16, if those downloads were still available.
You might have to ask Magix or Xara for the appropriate download link. You may need v16.3 on one install as the device is low on memory or a series of later bugs totally trash your design(s).
If you press Shift+Ctrl+Alt+1 in your XDA, you will see its Serial number.
Another location would be in C:\ProgramData\Xara\Xara Designer Pro X\[version_number]\installation_x64.ini, which is better as you can copy it out.
Acorn
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Re: The Xara Desktop Applications with and without the Update Service
Thank you!
From Xara's page: https://shared.xara.com/diNpZUgi2O/
(I bolded for emphasis from copy/paste below)
What happens to the Update Service after 365 days?
1. Do nothing, the Update Service expires and you will no longer receive any new features. The feature updates you have installed over the past 365 days will continue to run indefinitely, HOWEVER if you re-install your product on a new computer after the Update Service has expired then the new installation will fall back to the version you last purchased.
["Last purchase": This is where my confusion. Is last purchase the original purchase? (say in 2018), OR, is it the last renewal, say in 2020?]
2. Renew the Update Service. Your perpetual license will now be for the version current on the day of renewal. In addition, you will continue to get access to new feature and content updates for the next 365 days after renewal.
[#2 above seems to indicate that the date of renewal resets the clock. So, if I renewed in 2020, and then don't renew in 2021 or 2022, and if I had to re-install in 2023, I should at least get the 2020 major version, and not the 2018 version, which was the date of the original purchase]
Sorry, I know, I am probably not making sense. Grr. :-)
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Re: The Xara Desktop Applications with and without the Update Service
That's how I've understood it. Renewal "buys" the current version on the renewal date. Renewal effectively re-registers the software. But I could be wrong.
From the Website:
Update Service:
...
2.Renew the Update Service. Your perpetual license will now be for the version current on the day of renewal. In addition, you will continue to get access to new feature and content updates for the next 365 days after renewal.
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Re: The Xara Desktop Applications with and without the Update Service
@EuropaViewer, exactly as Steve (@ss-kalm) and I have said, your last purchase/renewal (registration) date.
The fact you have bought a new version through an update path is immaterial. It is a contract.
Your registration date sets the clock.
Acorn
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Re: The Xara Desktop Applications with and without the Update Service
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Acorn
Steve (@ss-kalm)
That would be Keith ...
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Re: The Xara Desktop Applications with and without the Update Service
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ss-kalm
That would be Keith ...
Keith, sincere apologies.
Acorn
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Re: The Xara Desktop Applications with and without the Update Service
So what I'm reading is that I bought/upgraded to V17 and that upgrade service is due to expire soon.
I've just upgraded to V18 and it begs a question like @EuropaViewer - If you re-install it goes back to your last purchased version.
So what happens after I've upgraded to V18, within the update service period and then have to re-install? The way I'm reading this is that V17 is the best I can get.
But this leads to another major issue in that any files created or saved in a newer version may be crippled if opened in an older version. For example my website, developed in V16 then V17, and now modified in V18 now complains if I open it in V17 with an error dialog of "Warning from Xara Designer Pro X. This file was produced by a different or newer version of the program. It contains some data that will be ignored. Technical details (4650)". So that means I can no longer use my website xar with V17 with any sense of reliability or guarantee of compatibility.
Surely if you updated to V18 during the update service you should be able to re-install the V18 version that you had when the update service expired. If the files are not backwards-compatible then there are serious implications about upgrading to a newer version during the update service period.
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Re: The Xara Desktop Applications with and without the Update Service
acorn will no doubt give you chapter and verse on this, especially backwards compatibility
but I will just say that actually, xara/magix are not the only company that 'allow you to use a later version than the one you actually paid for whilst you are paying for something else'
In the case of toonboom, for example, that something else would be a support contract
In xara/magix' case it is an 'update service' - most here would beef that in magix case the updates are few and far between and given the small print re the actual program updates it would be better called something else 'added value service' maybe, I dunno...
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Re: The Xara Desktop Applications with and without the Update Service
Quote:
Originally Posted by
vfrvulcan
So what I'm reading is that I bought/upgraded to V17 and that upgrade service is due to expire soon.
I've just upgraded to V18 and it begs a question like @EuropaViewer - If you re-install it goes back to your last purchased version.
So what happens after I've upgraded to V18, within the update service period and then have to re-install? The way I'm reading this is that V17 is the best I can get.
But this leads to another major issue in that any files created or saved in a newer version may be crippled if opened in an older version. For example my website, developed in V16 then V17, and now modified in V18 now complains if I open it in V17 with an error dialog of "Warning from Xara Designer Pro X. This file was produced by a different or newer version of the program. It contains some data that will be ignored. Technical details (4650)". So that means I can no longer use my website xar with V17 with any sense of reliability or guarantee of compatibility.
Surely if you updated to V18 during the update service you should be able to re-install the V18 version that you had when the update service expired. If the files are not backwards-compatible then there are serious implications about upgrading to a newer version during the update service period.
vfrvulcan, chapter and verse follows...
When you renew/upgrade a Magix Xara Desktop application (XDA), your roll-back version is the one that was published at the time your register your purchase. Technically, you could register a long time after the purchase date.
If you bought XDPX version 10 and then upgraded yesterday to version 18 and registered on 10 April 2021, your roll-back would be to Xara Designer Pro X 18.0.0.61642 DL x64 Mar 18 2021.
Possibly, if Xara released a Patch fix to this version and then an upgrade version in August, your roll-back could be to the Patch version. This has only happened once that I can recall.
It does not matter what your initial purchase version was or is, only what was available at your registration date.
I develop in XPro+v21.0 & XDPXv18.0 and re-edit in versions as far back as version 10.
Although Xara flags them as Errors, the data listed are normally trivial and can safely be ignored.
If you open the Name gallery, you may see an entry like templateMinProgramVersion:15.1.0.
This effectively states an earlier version will not have the full functionality of an XDA of a version above v15.1.
Again, you may have 90% of the functions still working and in very rare occasions only get a static group that is editable but does not have any of the hyped capability.
MagiXara are only offering tasters of any version above your registration one.
Always ensure you have your two licensed instances installed so if one is trashed and you are forced to roll-back to your registered one then you have a fall-back for the rare occurrence you posed.
It is far more likely that the bugs Xara fixes as it updates will be back and you have no get-out clause.
This is the major failing MagiXara has with its Update Service and why I switched to XPro+.
My P3-serial number is register with Magix for Xara Designer Pro X11 with an Update Service expiry on 03 June 2021.
Should either of my installed v17.1 or v18.0 require re-installing now, I wold only get a v18.1 download for Magix. Xara used to offer access to all earlier versions.
I could and would insist for a v17.1 if I though v18.0 was too buggy to use.
After 03 June coming, my install of either would be to v17.0.0.58732 around 12/03/2020.
I would and can still use v17.1 & v18.0 until the cows come home - a machine breaks, MS implodes or my disk trashes - all real events that have happened.
Acorn