Tech News Weekly: Edition 45

[Darwin]

I haven't been back to their forum at Wilders for three or four weeks so I don’t know if they released an amazing update or what!

-J-Mac (December 08, 2008, 12:09 AM)

I haven't been there in a while, either, but I seriously doubt that they've released a comprehensive and amazing patch. The accusation I have read most over the years (also levelled at Corel with PaintShop Pro), is that they use their existing paid customers as beta testers and then charge them for the fruits of their labours (ie to upgrade to the next version). Thus, buying maintenance agreements from them is a good idea. As I mentioned (and Carol seems to have gone the same route), I upgraded a few years ago to the Workstation version (now called Echo) which hasn't had a numerical upgrade in ages but has been rock solid. This is a version for their corporate customers and seems to be updated fairly often. Maintenace agreements are cheap, as well - $16 a year.  A LOT cheaper then buying upgrades.

Caveat: I have no idea what the built-in burner is like with this version, never having tried it.

[J-Mac]

I haven't been back to their forum at Wilders for three or four weeks so I don’t know if they released an amazing update or what!

-J-Mac (December 08, 2008, 12:09 AM)

I haven't been there in a while, either, but I seriously doubt that they've released a comprehensive and amazing patch. The accusation I have read most over the years (also levelled at Corel with PaintShop Pro), is that they use their existing paid customers as beta testers and then charge them for the fruits of their labours (ie to upgrade to the next version). Thus, buying maintenance agreements from them is a good idea. As I mentioned (and Carol seems to have gone the same route), I upgraded a few years ago to the Workstation version (now called Echo) which hasn't had a numerical upgrade in ages but has been rock solid. This is a version for their corporate customers and seems to be updated fairly often. Maintenace agreements are cheap, as well - $16 a year.  A LOT cheaper then buying upgrades.

Caveat: I have no idea what the built-in burner is like with this version, never having tried it.

-Darwin (December 08, 2008, 12:19 PM)

Unfortunately they have no such agreements for the Acronis True Image Home versions.

Jim

[Darwin]

Unfortunately they have no such agreements for the Acronis True Image Home versions.

-J-Mac (December 08, 2008, 03:39 PM)

Ah... pity. That's probably why I upgraded to the Workstation version! When they rolled out the Workstation version, they offered Home users a very attractive upgrade and I jumped. I've never regretted doing so. I wonder if they still have a reasonable upgrade price for Home licensees?

[J-Mac]

Unfortunately they have no such agreements for the Acronis True Image Home versions.

-J-Mac (December 08, 2008, 03:39 PM)

Ah... pity. That's probably why I upgraded to the Workstation version! When they rolled out the Workstation version, they offered Home users a very attractive upgrade and I jumped. I've never regretted doing so. I wonder if they still have a reasonable upgrade price for Home licensees?

-Darwin (December 08, 2008, 07:32 PM)

I've purchased every version since either ATI8 or 9 - except the 2009 version - and I never received any offer to upgrade to the Workstation version. They must not like me! 

Jim