What Happened to Xara/Magix Online Content?

[Acorn]

Here's is where i got the V19.0.2.... Trial version from: https://www.xara.com/web-19-download/

The file is named "XWDL19Setup.exe" and about 863MB in size.

the screenshot is taken from the in-trial upgrade button function

It looks to me that all what is in de library is all what you get and no further updates.

And it is genuine Xara.

I checked the file and it is 19.0.2......Attachment 134079

Red, thank you for being the front runner for us.

I decided to try the trial.
Yes, Xara want a full £199 but there appears to be a "perpetual" discount of 30%, but 'perpetual' only for the first year:



My download unpacked 11,105 files.
The 'cache' was identified as C:\Users\...\AppData\Local\Xara\WebDesignerPerpetu al\19\Cache\designs\eng\firstlook\intro_18_0, so Xara didn't bother to update the First look introduction files.

You have to register into Xara Cloud to activate the trial;



I think this is the biggest change, the install folder, mine, C:\Program Files\Xara\Xara Web Designer\, now holds the 'cache' in C:\Program Files\Xara\Xara Web Designer\clipart\. Previously, this was a load of files chucked into the Local AppData folder, effectively forcing it all onto your C:\. Now you could install into another drive and the 'cache' will follow.

In passing, the new 'cache' could be reworked into your current Magix v19/v18/v17 XDAs for those who never downloaded the original 'cache'.

You get a purple nag button asking you to "Subscribe to get more content..."; this is to entice you into the Plus versions.

The worst thing I now have is I cannot use Xara Cloud readily between my Plus account and this trial without having to log out of one and into the other.

Will I buy in? Probably not.
I actually like the Subscription model and the latest Xara features, mainly SVG handing.
I am really used to the monochrome buttons and actually felt uncomfortable rolling back to v19:



Why Xara stuck at v19, I can only guess.
Xara Web Designer 19.0.2.67264 P x64 Jul 21 2023 shows it has been on the books for quite a time.
I want to know more about its upgrade trajectory and if it will ever align with the Plus version.
At that point, I might buy in.

Acorn

[handrawn]

thanks for the analysis acorn

surely want to know more about where it is headed

[Acorn]

thanks for the analysis acorn surely want to know more about where it is headed

I must admit the £199 pricing was a shock for just Web Designer.
No Shortcut configuration, no multi-core support, hardly any of the useful Photo Tools, no Bitmap Tracer, naff as it is, limited DTP, no automatic page numbering, naff as it is, no art or scatter brushes, no PDF Export, ... (https://www.xara.com/uk/designer-pro/compare/)

But hey, we can still create Flash Animations.

@Xara - Web Designer Pro v20 @£199, promising, Web Designer v19 @ £99, even then maybe not. Bundle with X3D, if you must. (https://www.xara.com/uk/downloads/xara3d/ for trial but no longer for buying!)
Go for just your flagship product and lose the market fragmentation.

Acorn

[Spamiky]

It's a shame, I'm with XARA from CorelXara. They won't even get a euro from me anymore. I stuck with the XDPX19. I'm starting to look at Affinity products but they don't have a website yet. It's a shame how Xara blew the chance, it was a super fast product.

[handrawn]

I must admit the £199 pricing was a shock for just Web Designer.

I didn't download it - no wonder eyebrows raised if it's not the full program - basic web designer is like buying a cheap pencil that doesnt keep a good point and keep breaking, you'll know better next time round if you want to do anything serious[ly]
[did you notice how I avoided hyperbolic wordplay by not saying 'pointless' , I was tempted ]

[Acorn]

I didn't download it - no wonder eyebrows raised if it's not the full program - basic web designer is like buying a cheap pencil that doesnt keep a good point and keep breaking, you'll know better next time round if you want to do anything serious[ly]
[did you notice how I avoided hyperbolic wordplay by not saying 'pointless' , I was tempted ]

Avoid, hyperbolas and stick to ellipses!



Xara may surprise us yet as it hasn't been launched.

Acorn

[handrawn]

good advice, especially if you know what a bolas is :

[Acorn]

Belabouring the pricing, how can you have 30% off in your first year for a perpetual licence?
The 30% promotion, Perpetual Web v19 NB (xara.com), runs to 21 October 2023 so it is one month and ticking.
The same flyer was built with a current Plus version (Xara HTML filter v.10.0.2.35) but Xara is selling us v19.0.2 with its Xara HTML filter v.9.9.1.0.

This stratagem implies:

1. There is a transition at the end of this 'first' year.
   
   1. Is it just no access to the next new updates? This is fair.
   2. Is it access to content is curtailed? This perpetuates the old Magix trope.
   
   
2. There is a reversion policy in place.
   
   1. Will a re-install then revert to the purchase version?
   
   
3. Updates will be trickle fed to encourage renewals.
   
   1. What is the convergence policy to the same utility as the Plus versions.
   2. Will an 'Upgrade' (to Subscription) discount the remainder licence period of any v19.0.2 Perpetual purchase?

We have argued against the Magix cash-cow approach so a similar attitude will just drive people away.

Acorn

[handrawn]

hey... we will just have to wait and see how it develops... [insert rip-van-winkle smiley here]

[Red14]

I am all set up for the (expected) next years on the last version of xara 19 . . . with all my exe's and alimentation in the form of OCC's and saved DL's one can figure out and back up..

The most interesting (and "profitable for score") update was WEBP, combined with the new google analytics, that works and I have almost 100% score on google...... and seeing the increase of customers as hoped for and in a very stable incline.

I am "ANTI-SAAS"
I love owning and creating my own stuff, and i hate all forms of loan, credit, and lease that even comes close to think that they may have any form of act, . . . control (that's a biggie...), or say in my work and what i do with that and when i please.

My bought tools are mine, and are for keep.
If you want rental, i won't be gentle.

That's the last thing i would say about v19, and i am very serial on this.
Suzanne. (aka. PC-Principal)