XaraX CD

I've ordered XaraX last year and still hasn't
received the CD.
Has anyone?
A mail to Xara Ltd. has not been answered.
As the unlock code for the downloaded version only lasts 8 weeks, time is running out.

Manuel

I've ordered XaraX last year and still hasn't
received the CD.
Has anyone?
A mail to Xara Ltd. has not been answered.
As the unlock code for the downloaded version only lasts 8 weeks, time is running out.

Manuel

Hello Manuel,

The 8 week limit is no problem. The way I understand it - you just download it again with
a new code (if it would ever come to that...)

I e-mailed Xara last week - to try to get some
indication where they are at... I guess I will be
ignored also.

If their technical support/marketing people work anything like their customer/sales relations - Xara will never get anywhere significant.

It bugs the hell out of me, when a company is so quick billing you and so sloooow in giving their customer information where the product is at.

I expected the Xara X CD to take a number of weeks - but I did not expect to get the "shut-up and sit down" treatment from Xara.

--- They have a damn web site - why don't they use it? - keep us informed!

Perhaps all the guys over at Xara have split - and
are now sitting on the Cayman Islands - laughing their asses off? [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Risto

The folks at Xara posted a message (I believe it was via email and there may have been a posting here as well) that they were taking the holidays (Xmas through New Years) off. Last week was the their first week back at the "office".

They also said the new version would be out before Christmas. I love Xara, but it seems that they can't keep a deadline/promise. Also, over the past couple of weeks they (Xara) have been a no show here in the Forums. An update would be nice on where the new version and CD stand.

Dave Zubrowski

John,

I was not interested in knowing when Xara employees take their vacation.

I wanted to know - the status of the CD.

/Risto

Risto and others

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> I was not interested in knowing when Xara employees take their vacation.

I wanted to know - the status of the CD.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Last I heard, Xara was ironing out a few last minute wrinkles before releasing the CD and that they expected to release it soon.

If all you are interested in is speedy delivery, and don't care if the application works or not, I suggest you try the product from Canada [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]

Be patient. When the CD is ready for prime time, you'll have it. I know this is frustrating, but it would be more frustrating if you get the CD and it has problems, eh?

Gary

Gary Priester

Moderator Person

Be It Every So Humble...

Kate Moir wrote me a few days ago, around Wedn., that they "hope to release the new version in a few days" - the version which also would be put on the CDs. So I'm fairly sure we'll get the new download version this coming week and that the CDs will be burnt VERY shortly.

But I agree: Mark Goodall & Co. have been totally absent here lately, and that's a bit frustrating.


K

Although it would be nice to think that the world revolves around only us, I don't begrudge the folks at Xara their Christmas holidays.

Gary

Gary Priester

Moderator Person

Be It Every So Humble...

<<Although it would be nice to think that the world revolves around only us, I don't begrudge the folks at Xara their Christmas holidays.>>

I do agree with you Gary that the world does not revolve around XARA users, but on the other hand, XARA 'should' revolve around its customers and at the very least keep the customers who have, after all, paid out their hard earned cash for a product they paid for, in effect, sight unseen. XARA isn't cheap really when you consider there is no hard copy from XARA, or even packaging, so the service they offer must reflect this. I personally dont begrudge anyone a holiday, especially at Christmas, but someone could keep us informed as to the progress of the final release. This is a commercial operation, however we might like XARA, and the service should reflect this.

I for one have no intention of spending an hour or so downloading another version from the site if this copy and its unlock code expires; I will revert to Draw and wait for the final copy on CD.

Regards
Stewart

I don not think it is a good argument to say: "better a late CD than a bad CD". If there was still so much uncertainty, and so many wrinkles had to be ironed, it was simply put on line far too early. And, speaking of Canada, we'll probably also get some "Service Packs" from good old England too.
O, this commerce!!! I thought this was going to be different, and start to feel disappointed.
[img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img] [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif[/img] [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif[/img]

I was just saying to my wife how much I enjoyed this forum because of the minimum of complaining, badgering, flaming and other nefarious verbage. And what is the first item I see when I signed back on but this thread...

Guess even the best forums have their off day. And it certainly is the best software I've used
so waiting for 'better' isn't that hard!

Reji

The Wheel "ZEN" Brat


PS - Hope the folks at Xara enjoyed their much deserved holidays! Happy New Year! [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

----
/|================================================= |
The O CONSULTANT | Reji Martin,
Wheel /- TO THE | reji@isn.net
Brat ( )\_ STAIRS! | PEI, Canada
|================================================= |/
----Checkout my carvings @
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/Album...34527&a=216030

Hi there Wheelbrat!,

Sorry to ruin your day... [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif[/img]

My only beef is the lack of information from Xara - the product is great - or I would not have bought it (I would have just downloaded a crack).

I don't think that it is a sound business plan - that you have to be on a first name basis with the people over at Xara - to find out when the
product that you paid for will be delivered.

And yeah, this forum is great...

If it wasn't for Garry's tutorials and Ross's, Egg's, Ivan's (and other's) ever helpful aids I probably would not have bothered with Xara at all.

Being Swedish I had to look up "Nefarious"... wow! was that ever a mouthful... [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] - evil, harass, hassle...

I don't belive that this forum is a place of worship of anybody; god's or Xara employees...

...don't you think it is good that we actually have a medium like this where all opinions, ideas AND frustrations can be vented?

If everyting was pink and cozy - wouldn't it just get boring and tedious?

But then again, what the heck do I know... I'm new here...

/Risto

I don't think it's appropriate to rush a good wine OR to rush a company who has clearly demonstrated a high commitment to QUALITY and CUSTOMER SATISFACTION.

I DON'T WANT A RUSHED PRODUCT!

Xara has been extremely active in this conference and as such has been willing to incorporate, before shipping, MORE requested features from YOU, the users/customers here.

You can't have your cake and eat it too.

The delay, however slight it may be or the lack of participation here by Xara, to me only shows that they are BUSY working on YOUR product. They are trying to provide the BEST possible product for the final CD. THAT IS ALL THAT IS IMPORTANT IN THIS FINAL STAGE!

Finalizing any software just before you commit to mass produce the final product on CD is the most sensitive time for any developer. Xara could have done this already but chose to listen to their customers by fine tunning some features BEFORE the final CD burn. This is one more example of a company committed to success and to their customers.

Show me ANY other product where you interact with the developers who listen, like we have been doing here, in the final stages of producing a brand new product.

I've personally been involved with similar interactions and I can tell you that they have all been a distant second to Xara. These and other companies gave in to Marketing pressures and precieved deadlines and are still trying to fix all the problems resulting from rushing it out the door. This is the ultimate in frustration. The frustration your now feeling is nothing compaired to what could be much worse by meeting ESTIMATED deadlines.

I'm excited about the delay because I understand that this only helps insure a quality final product for the CD.

I want my CD "ONLY" when Xara is comfortable about producing it and ready to send it.

This last minute effort by Xara is for YOU and I! This small delay by Xara is for YOU and I! This silence by Xara is for YOU and I! ALL of this is about their reputation.

I have only to say "THANK YOU Xara" for doing all you can do towards getting this product right the first time.

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!

The BEST is good enough!

I had a reply at the back end of last year 29th Dec, saying they had problems with the duplicators and were expecting the CDs to be despatched this month.

I'd like to reiterate what Ed says - remember here that we're dealing with a small company, not some giant corporation, which have the same problems any other small software company has (duplicators being one of them!)

We have actual company representatives from Xara taking our suggestions and bug reports seriously and taking a genuine and active interest in what we do and think about their product. It sounds like some of you are taking this virtually unheard of service a little too much for granted??

Anyway, happy new year to you all and may Xara go from strength to strength in 2001,

James

Since the CD will be forever, I'd rather it was a few days late than have bugs in it...
TonyIt is just a pity they put the timeout on the unlocked version.

I realize that I am probably in the minority (maybe even a minority of 1) here, but I am not waiting for the CD to be released with a 100% bug free application (ain't gonna happen no matter how long we wait) on it. I can download another version or a patch when/if needed.

What I could use and don't have ANY access to are the tutorial movies on the CD. Now, I realize that most of you are experts and way beyond needing the tutorials, but for some (or at least 1 of us) it would be extremely helpful if the tutorials were made available without having to wait for a 100% perfect version of Xara to be implemented.

Dwight

You're quite right Dwight.

However Ed and a few others might try so vociferously to argue for the wait, it just doesn't hold water. Sure XARA is a small company, and so am I, but I do not have the luxury of being paid 'before' the job is done. We all want the final release to be a quality product, as I am sure it will be, but even having used this type of software before for years, but not XARA, there is a learning curve to be climbed and features to 'find' More than anything I want the tutorial movies, just so as I can get myself off the ground and stop this trial and error approach to using the programme. XARA doesn't have time to mess with me the lowly customer, and I appreciate that, but by the same token, I don't have time to 'mess' with their software.

As a business man, I couldn't give a toss for XARA's problems with delivery of the final product when I have already paid for it, but as a XARA fan, I will wait and hope it isn't too long. If I was that bothered Ed, I would be demanding my money back, but at the same time I don't appreciate being told I'm a whinger. Sad as it may seem, XARA, in the real comercial world in which they live, have been very lax in keeping customers informed, and truth be known, this is not the place to do it in any case; this is a discussion and virtual fan forum. A short e-mail, even if it is to say it is imminent, would be appreciated.

This is what is bothering people, the fact that there is uncertainty and black hole where there should be a customer service department.

Regards
Stewart

Those of you who know me for a while also know that I am rather quick with criticising Xara Sales & Marketing.
They did not do a very good job ever.

But as long as I have the (payed for) 0.99 version that runs more or less bugfree for me, I don't mind if the CD takes a week less or longer. So I totally agree with Gary to rather wait until it's ready.

The only thing I am waiting for are the tutorial movies. But thanks to some of the brilliant guys here, I guess they will not bring very much news anyway...

Wolfgang

On Dec.31 I sent the followin inquiry to Xara:

Sent: 31 December 2000 09:27
To: xaraclub@xara.com
Subject: CD for XaraX

On NOV.24 I bought XaraX.
Wehn can I expect the software CD to be shiped??
Regards K.Schmidt

The following prompt reply came on th second of January:
We apologise most sincerely in the delay of shipping XaraX, we are expecting the cod,s at the end of next week and we will ship immediately, unfortunately due to Christmas holidays etc;
Happy New Year
Barbara

Barbara Casey.
You can help me to respond quickly by including all previous emails in your reply

I would fully sympathise with the delay in getting the CD out - if it weren't for the silly 8-week timeout on the download version.

That was fine and dandy with the free Beta versions, but usually the point of paying for an unlock code is that it turns off the timeout...

Since Xara (presumably) have the EMAIL addresses of everybody who bought Xara X, an EMAIL letting us know that the CD will be with us before the download expires (it better flipping well be!) might not have come amiss.

I agree with dwight. This is my first time here. The reason I came in was because I was wondering where the CD I bought before Christmas is. I also got this really cool Wacom Intous tablet and I want to learn XaraX with it. The tutorial movies are what I'm after. I love them!

Although, the tablet did come with a pretty cool program called Painter Classic. I just hate learning one program and then switching to another.

By the way, has anyone else in here played with painter Classic? It's actually very fun to use.

Are not some of the movies on xara xone?
How about emailing us a new unlock code?
Tony

I just realised I too have had my bought copy for more than 8 weeks (it was bought the day it was buy-able), and it suddenly twigged that I had got a request for a new unlock code a few days ago and without thinking I just typed in the old one, and I had no problems.

Whether that's the desired behaviour I have no idea, but it worked for me so it may work for you guys,

Cheers all,

James

...and unlock Xara. i'll certainly give it a try when it's my turn.
And for the new users: READ THE YOUNG PERSON'S GUIDE right her on this forum.

Me too, I have an Intuos and Painter classic. It is good, and does not completely overlap with Xara.

Credit where credit is due - since my last post, Xara have sent round an EMAIL and it looks like the CDs are imminent...