Time for an update?

[Thack]

Could we persuade Xara to give Webstyle a little polish? I believe it's been four years since it was last touched.

The first thing I'd like to see is to make it Vista-compatible (at the moment it must run as an administrator).

The second area, which I think is VERY important, is to provide much more help with integrating its output into the current crop of Web editors. I'm thinking of Namo WebEditor 8 and NetObjects Fusion 11 in particular. Also maybe Serif WebPlus X2 (although that is pretty strong when it comes to buttons, navbars, etc, so WebStyle is less important for that).

Meanwhile, I'm desperately hoping Xara WON'T spoil the current, superbly effective user interface and workflow!

Thack

[Thack]

While we're at it, do any of you folks have views on what you'd like to see in an updated Webstyle?

Also, does anyone have any idea how we might communicate our thoughts to the people that count in Xara?

Thanks,

Steve

[Soquili]

Hi Steve,

There are members of the Xara Ltd staff that visit the forums.

This thread you have here would be a place to post suggestions you would like to see in Webstyle.

[Thack]

I've been looking at some of WebStyle's competitors for inspiration on how a revamped WebStyle might look.

[Product], from [link removedl] looks pretty impressive.

In particular, it seems to be able to "inject" the relevant javascript and HTML into the existing HTML pages of your website. I think this looks like a really useful approach, and would love to see Xara look into something like this.

I haven't trialled [product] yet, but I'd be very surprised indeed if it were as good to use as WebStyle. But WebStyle really should be made Vista-compatible at the very least, and improving the ease with which its output can be incorporated into your website is a close second.

Thack

[Nuncio]

I agree - Webstyle is in need of an update, and now. There are loads of sleek programmes out there that do fantastic jobs, take a look at OpenCube for example.

I would also have thought that perhaps Xara would have followed the examples of companies such as CoffeeCup.Com who offer free updates, for life. Also, I am sure that Xara would have a greater fan base if they offered all the templates for Webstyle as a free gift to its existing customers.

How about we the consumer get a 'Thank You' for being loyal patrons? I wouldn't hold my breath though!

[remi]

Hi Nuncio,

I wonder, what do you do for a living and how much of your work do you spend for free for your customers out there?

Why should a software company pay a developer to develop new functions or a designer to create new templates, if they cannot earn money with this work? I mean, we are not talking about Open Source. They do that for their living. What are your expectations?

Remi

[Nuncio]

I think the fact that it has been years since webstyle has been updated, it would be most unlikely that Xara would make any effort with this programme. They obviously see xtreme as the future.

It wouldn't be so bad had Xara been keen to explore CSS solutions as a replacement for webstyle.

Still - we can all dream!

[Thack]

They obviously see xtreme as the future.

But I've tried to use Xtreme to make buttons and a navigation bar, and it's hopeless compared with WebStyle.

Or am I missing something obvious?

Thack

[Nuncio]

But I've tried to use Xtreme to make buttons and a navigation bar, and it's hopeless compared with WebStyle.

Or am I missing something obvious?

Thack

No, you are not missing anything, and you are right, xtreme is hopeless compared to webstyle for making buttons and nav bars etc.

Webstyle has a huge fan base that just wants an update to what was once a great (and still is ish!!) programme that did what it said, and did it easily with impressive results. All that Webstyle needs is a makeover, some new free templates, a better and more modern web page intergration (CSS and Flash), more user manipulation of graphics etc

I suspect that if the guys at Xara actually put there thinking caps on, they could actually come up with a major webstyle update pretty easily (that is if they actually have the skill base). Look, they have a whole user group here in the forum that they could get to beta test, and who better to give feedback and suggestions, than the guys who have previuosly purchased webstyle before.

BTW - the same could also be said for the other software titles as well!

[tellurian]

No, you are not missing anything, and you are right, xtreme is hopeless compared to webstyle for making buttons and nav bars etc.

What is Xara using then, for producing the Webstyle elements? If they have a special homemade editor, it would be incredible if they would include it with a next version (wouldn't mind paying a good deal more for having it included).

All that Webstyle needs is a makeover, some new free templates, a better and more modern web page intergration (CSS and Flash), more user manipulation of graphics etc

I'll second that.

Rich