What does this mean for owners of designer prox (not+)?

[yellowbird]

Received this email today:


Dear Xara Customer,

As of July 1, 2023, XARA has assumed responsibility for the complete distribution of all XARA products, previously managed by MAGIX. This shift allows us to be closer to you, our loyal and long-time customers, and to better respond to your needs.

Why is this important for you? This change allows us not only to intensify our customer proximity, but also to respond to your concerns more quickly and efficiently. You will benefit from direct communication, faster problem-solving, and access to our XARA Pro Plus desktop products.

What changes for you? In essence - only the best! You will continue to have access to our high-quality products and enjoy the top-notch service that you are accustomed to. The difference is that you will now be catered to by the more dedicated and customer-oriented XARA experts.

We would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank you for your ongoing trust and loyalty. Your satisfaction and success are our primary goals, and we are confident that this change will contribute to achieving these goals.

If you have any questions regarding this change, we are here for you. Please do not hesitate to contact us.

Warm regards,
Your team at XARA
www.xara.com

[Acorn]

@Nancy, at least you got an email!

The ins and outs are covered in https://www.talkgraphics.com/showthr...signer-Pro-X19.
In short, there there will be no more Magix versions. The Update Service will end and at that point you will lose on-line access to the Online Content Catalogue.
Xara will support its 'Legacy' products but will not offer and bug patches or new releases. You will still be able to use your current product. Xara hopes, in time, you will subscribe to the Plus version.

Acorn

[neilr]

Only just bought Designer Pro X 19 in May via Magix via an upgrade deal after returning to Xara after several years (not used since), only to discover no future releases via Magix, i was waiting for X 20 as part of the 12 month free magix updates/upgrades, only reason i bought it in May.
I don't use it enough to warrant subscription. I use it for the odd flyer and graphics for my community site which i can see run as HTML (i don't generate any revenue from my site).
If Xara aren't careful, they'll lose a lot of customers to affinity like Adobe have due to it going subscription model. Affinity doesn't quite fit my needs that Design Pro offers in a single package for my limited use.
I'd understand if i used it regularly for say professional work, i don't. I can't justify it.

[Acorn]

Received this email today:
Dear Xara Customer,

As of July 1, 2023, XARA has assumed responsibility for the complete distribution of all XARA products, previously managed by MAGIX. This shift allows us to be closer to you, our loyal and long-time customers, and to better respond to your needs.

Why is this important for you? This change allows us not only to intensify our customer proximity, but also to respond to your concerns more quickly and efficiently. You will benefit from direct communication, faster problem-solving, and access to our XARA Pro Plus desktop products.

What changes for you? In essence - only the best! You will continue to have access to our high-quality products and enjoy the top-notch service that you are accustomed to. The difference is that you will now be catered to by the more dedicated and customer-oriented XARA experts.

We would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank you for your ongoing trust and loyalty. Your satisfaction and success are our primary goals, and we are confident that this change will contribute to achieving these goals.

If you have any questions regarding this change, we are here for you. Please do not hesitate to contact us.

Warm regards,
Your team at XARA
www.xara.com

Xara has repeated this email for us at https://www.talkgraphics.com/showthr...ARA-Experience, which is unfortunately a no-reply Forum.
The information seems contradictory. On one hand, I would take my first red highlight to mean those on the Update Service would still get an updated product as promised, not just content. The other hand is suggesting Xara will only cover its Plus products. This sleight of hand hides the loss of perpetual licence purchase with an enforced subscription being the only option.

Here is a suggestion.
Offer a subscription model but when payments stop, freeze the licence at that version so it can still be used forever.
For those wanting a perpetual licence, charge at the monthly rate for 12+ months.
For those subscribing yearly, offer the perpetual licence after 3 years, a reward for ongoing loyalty.
Once using the perpetual licence option, you will be out of support.
A switch from one to another would require a pro-rata adjustment.

Acorn

[Spamiky]

I would like to respond to a message from the webmaster welcoming Magix users. First of all, users of the classic version are disappointed that it suddenly ends. For those who use XARA for non-commercial purposes, a permanent license without news is sufficient. But OK, it's a XARA strategy. But what annoys me the most is the annoying message to pay for the upgrade. So, dear XARA - I request that this message disappear from my paid version when it is no longer possible to update this version.
I am sorry for my bad English.

[handrawn]

do we know if activation servers will remain magix, and if so, can we rely on this ?

[MarcT]

Offer a subscription model but when payments stop, freeze the licence at that version so it can still be used forever.
Acorn

That's a great Idea, maybe after a year or two.

Marc

[Acorn]

That's a great Idea, maybe after a year or two. Marc

Marc, I have to be pedantic here as your attribution omitted the rationale of my full argument:

Offer a subscription model but when payments stop, freeze the licence at that version so it can still be used forever.
For those wanting a perpetual licence, charge at the monthly rate for 12+ months.
For those subscribing yearly, offer the perpetual licence after 3 years, a reward for ongoing loyalty.
Once using the perpetual licence option, you will be out of support.
A switch from one to another would require a pro-rata adjustment.

It is important to understand that the subscription model ensures Xara only has to support the current version.
Currently, no subscription, no product (and no support required).
The downside is there is nothing to entice past subscribers back.

Acorn

[louyo]

My $.02: Much as many of us fight subscriptions, I would guess that Xara's previous business model was not sustainable. Just a guess. I am still on version 17. I remember several years back, Jetbrains (programming tools) went from purchase to subscription. To say it was met with anger would be an understatement. The (negative) comments to the blog announcing it went on for days. They made a change, went to a subscription model with a perpetual fallback license after one year. You can keep using at a level 12 months prior to the date you cancel your subscription. Maybe something for Xara to think about. Version 17 proved to me that my graphics skills were sadly lacking. I did create a website with it, as well as some layouts. My clients suggested that I keep my efforts on programming and support and leave graphics to someone with skills.

My operating system of choice is Linux. I run programs like Xara in a Windows virtual machine. I run Mac stuff on a MacBook, an old one. Xara runs fine in a VM and I can move it to a new system if necessary, just copy the files. Same for backup. I run a lot of Open Source but also buy proprietary software. Now dabbling in that magical, hyped up, world of AI. Great for surveillance camera software, eliminating false alerts. AI tools are open source, NVR software is purchase with support subscription.

My admiration for the skills I see on these forums is boundless. The only reason I lurk here. Keep up the fine work.
Lou

[handrawn]

a basic marketing law behzad, what companies need is repeat business; subscription is locked in repeat business, the previous model was not

the subscription model gives a reliable cash-flow projection the other model did not

there was never any guarantee given by xara that the update service, and therefore OCC, would always be available for the pre-subscription versions...