How do you feel about the 365 Program?

[frightful]

Yes, a disappointing year. I don't see me renewing simply to keep use of the catalogue of stuff that I don't use. Also they shall have to come up with something exciting for me to splash the cash. Other small companies already mentioned are getting more adventurous while Xara seems to be stuck at the roadside.

[iamtheblues]

Well, I've been pretty scathing about Xara/Magix in recent times, because of the company's lack of response to very reasonable requests for improvements for Open Type support. So I thought I'd go easy on the criticism regarding the subscription model they have introduced. However, I cannot idly read the above comments without making a response. As far as I can see it's win/win for the company - a year's income for doing next to nothing, and lose/lose for the loyal band of customers who have, to all intents and purposes been taken for a ride. To trust any company to deliver improvements with vague assurances that unspecified improvements will be forthcoming during the period of the subscription is a sign that the customer needs a reality check. If it looks like a scam, smells like a scam and tastes like a scam, then it's a scam, folks. Xara/Magix are laughing all the way to the bank. Not even an apology, no faux remorse, nada.Just my two cents.Bob.

[handrawn]

I am pretty sure that the company is putting it's resource into the revenue stream side, ie WEB, rather than drawing

There are just too many viable alternatives around these days... and maybe not just for the drawing side....

The company is on record as saying they switched to the 365 model because they wanted to give their customer base updates straight away rather than make them wait until annual release, but no guarantees were given about frequency or content - in other words, if you read the small print, the company did not actually promise there would be updates during the year, just that we would get them early if there happened to be any

It's a very difficult market in which xara does not have the advantages it once had; not at all sure this helps them

[haakoo]

One suggestion : M1

[haakoo]

By now xara is nothing more than abandonware owned by a company that's only interested in selling licensed content.
Like an all-you-can-eat restaurant.
It doesn't have to be a five-star restaurant but being at least something more then your local MacDonalds should be doable.

They better had gone up the M1 to Nottingham,from there came news that excited me to buy instantly.
Not by the slick marketing but they interact with and are engaged by and for their customers.
They are not there yet but started from scratch on their new products.

Last thing to add is:

Pride doesn't pay the bills.

Hans

[Boy]

I purchased Xara Designer Pro X 365 when it came out in July 2016. Since then there were a few bug-fix updates and, in November, one upgrade with new or improved features. Because I wanted to have a clear overview of what was added to the app, I copied (from the "What's New" page) & pasted these features below. I'm not sure what to think of the list (or this new 365-scheme) or what to expect from a next upgrade. This is especially so because it's very unclear where Xara wants to take XDP and its spinoffs. I find it unfortunate that the company is not more forthcoming in this area but, then again, Xara, even though well-intentioned, has never been known for its communication skills. So, my answer to Gary’s question is a shrug and a wait-and-see stance.

Web Design:
• An easy to use Link to heading option (no anchor names required) NEW - November 2016
• Improved web page transition animations (smoother and more consistent across different browsers and devices) NEW - November 2016

Photo & Graphic Design:
• UPDATED - November 2016: Now as you drag the handles [of photos in the Photo Tool] to adjust an image, a feint copy of the full uncropped image is shown behind.
• NEW November 2016 - we've added 50 new photo filters, now 75 in total! We've also categorised the filters to make it easier to find just the right filter to achieve the effect or ambience you're looking for!
• UPDATED - November 2016: Feathering settings preserved and region naming improvements in the Photo Effect Painter

Text Handling:
• NEW - NOVEMBER 2016 Table of Contents. You can now build a Table of Contents automatically and insert it at the caret position, a massive time saver for anyone creating a long document.
• An extended List Properties dialog for easier list editing NEW - November 2016
• Ability to align text vertically NEW - November 2016
• Delete Style option added NEW - November 2016
• The Style Properties dialog now includes the option to set the outline level of a heading style NEW - November 2016

Content:
• Online Content Catalog: UPDATED - November 2016 (can now download higher than HD resolution photos for print docs)
• Google Forms widget added to the Content Catalog. You can create your own custom forms but Google also offers templates for the most popular forms including surveys, questionnaires and contact forms. Plus there's an easy to use editor, reliable data storage, presentation and analysis. NEW - October 2016
• New Chevron & Arrow SmartShape NEW - November 2016

Other Enhancements:
• Styles updated in blank templates in File > New (eg adding 'Keep with Next' to heading styles of print templates) NEW - November 2016
• Option to keep Content Catalog open after selecting an item NEW - November 2016
• Improved Word import and export UPDATED - November 2016
• Improved PDF import UPDATED - November 2016

[haakoo]

By now xara is nothing more than abandonware owned by a company that's only interested in selling licensed content.
Like an all-you-can-eat restaurant.
It doesn't have to be a five-star restaurant but being at least something more then your local MacDonalds should be doable.

They better had gone up the M1 to Nottingham,from there came news that excited me to buy instantly.
Not by the slick marketing but they interact with and are engaged by and for their customers.
They are not there yet but started from scratch on their new products.

Last thing to add is:

Pride doesn't pay the bills.

Even this forum which should be the main communication-channel is dead in the water.
Lurking here since I stepped out shows no engagement,no real new members only threads by moderators to keep some flow here.

Only this thread made me show-up.

So thanks Gary,for your question,questioning the future of xara.

Hans

[gwpriester]

I appreciate the candor of the comments here and I want to hear from other members of the forum. Your comments are important. So if you have a comment, positive or otherwise speak out.

I only ask that you be respectful.

Boy - Thank you for posting that list. I had forgotten a lot of those features.