Just Released: A New Version of Web Designer

[handrawn]

what this also means I guess, based on current definition of 'new computer', is that if you change your hardware config after the one year you'll revert too... even if you just repartition a disk.... that is really, really, silly

[Egg Bramhill]

HELLO Xara/Magix. Are you listening? You've now completely confused your user base.

Many members are obviously confused by the new 365 update. I am. Do I now own Xara Web Designer 365, Photo & Graphic Designer 365, Xara Designer Pro 365, or any other variation of the software you produce?

There's obviously a lot of confusion re this release and you're not communicating it clearly and simply to TG members.

[stevegill]

Shouldn't need to wait for a CD to come in the mail. I think that the software shouldn't revert at all It should just stop receiving updates after 365 days unless the license is renewed and access to the content catalogue stops too.

And It shouldn't matter if your computer crashes, or you need to reinstall the software if your license is current it should install the most current version. If your license has expired it should install the last updated version you had before expiration.

That's what we do with our software (nothing to do with web or graphic design). We have an annual support plan. Users get updates throughout the year. If the plan is not renewed they can still download and install any updates up to the date the support plan expired. Of course, updates after that are not available to them unless they renew their support plan. This means if they replace a hard-drive or buy a new computer they can install the software again and install all of the updates up to the expiry date.

FWIW

= Steve

[penmore]

Well, I will just be sticking with what I have got, no 365 for me!!

[jacobitejake]

That's what we do with our software (nothing to do with web or graphic design). We have an annual support plan. Users get updates throughout the year. If the plan is not renewed they can still download and install any updates up to the date the support plan expired. Of course, updates after that are not available to them unless they renew their support plan. This means if they replace a hard-drive or buy a new computer they can install the software again and install all of the updates up to the expiry date.

FWIW

= Steve

Yet another common sense comment Steve, come on Xara, please listen

[katemoir]

Well I hear what you are saying and all feedback will be considered, because this is a new model and it has to prove itself. But let me describe a different way of looking at 365: We have done a new version as usual, and the new features are the ones described on the Whats New page at http://www.xara.com/web-designer/whats-new/ and the release notes at http://releasenotes.xara.hosting/wd365/. We think it's a good upgrade. What we offer *in addition* this year is access to next year's features before next year. But if you are not comfortable with the conditions that attach to that access then you can reject the updates and come back in a year's time and consider again the new features that have been added in the interim and whether you want to upgrade at that point - which would give you the normal perpetual license to the version current at that time.

[pauland]

I understand that viewpoint Kate, but it's a viewpoint that doesn't show empathy with the client.

The improvement offers new features and then threatens to take them away, but only if you don't subscribe again and change the configuration of your machine (as in change it or the hard drive). At that point you remove features from customers.

It would actually be fairer and clearer to remove all the updates from every customers software if they don't renew the subscription at the end of their subscription year. That way you wouldn't be penalising customers for having a hard disc crash, disc upgrade or buying a new machine.

Currently you are effectively penalising people that change their system, voluntarily or otherwise.

It's not about adding features, it about giving access to features then removing them again for *some* customers.

You'll have everyone using the software worrying about a hard drive crash or being worried about changing their computer if they choose not to continue the subscription. That's not a concern they have now if they choose not to upgrade.

[handrawn]

I understand that viewpoint Kate, but it's a viewpoint that doesn't show empathy with the client.


Currently you are effectively penalising people that change their system, voluntarily or otherwise.

It's not about adding features, it about giving access to features then removing them again for *some* customers.

You'll have everyone using the software worrying about a hard drive crash or being worried about changing their computer if they choose not to continue the subscription. That's not a concern they have now if they choose not to upgrade.

exactly - equitable it is not - a hard disk faliure is bad enough without being landed with this as well - and disk partitioning should not cause the licence issue either, but that's a consequence of using an anally-retentive verification/registration system and how many other serious players do this?

I cannot see the issue with leaving the system as it is regarding re-licencing online in the case of a crash or config change...

[Jonopen]

But let me describe a different way of looking at 356:...

Sorry Kate, it's the child in me.

I was wondering with the apparent confusion, and Xara being a company that specialises in graphics and presentation software, would a visual diagram of the new business model help clarify the situation?

[Boy]

But if you are not comfortable with the conditions that attach to that access then you can reject the updates and come back in a year's time and consider again the new features that have been added in the interim and whether you want to upgrade at that point - which would give you the normal perpetual license to the version current at that time.

How do bug fixes fit in this scheme?