Downloading PSPx8

[brucet]

OK I've had every version of PSP since the Jasc days. I have avoided x8 until now. I have someone who who wants x8 and asked me to tutor her.
So I hit 'download trial'. All I got was a 1.8meg file. I clicked it and it installed/downloaded x8. I have no file/s on my hard drive/download folder.

Now I only use my old laptop for internet and downloads. My editing computer NEVER gets hooked up to the internet.

Question - Does x8 download as per past versions or is there no backup file that comes with the download? Has Corel changed to only allowing 'connected' computers to download PSPx8?

regards

[Simone Corel UK]

@brucet
When you buy the program, you get a download offered in your confirmation mail and this is the full program including latest update.

The trend however is as Adobe has done it already for quite a while is to offer small installer files (like the trial) and this will then install the program for you.

[brucet]

Thanks Simone. If I can't have a hard copy on my computer for security/peace of mind then I'm not interested in x8. However if the option to download is there then that's ok.
I simply refuse to have my work computer connected to the internet. So I need to be able to download on a secondary computer and then copy over to the work computer. I'm sure Corel understands the need for security.

Besides. If Adobe is 'stupid' enough to go down this path and Corel hasn't the imagination to come up with an alternative then so sad for Corel. Monkey see monkey do!!!!

regards

[Simone Corel UK]

@brucet
You are thinking about the subscription system where you have to pay for the usage.
What I mean is the way how you install. That time when we stored DVD boxes at home has gone. Most people want to store installations file, but have the problem that they take a lot of space. And why wasting this space if you need to install eventually once or twice, maybe three times? Is not bad the idea to have 10 different programs, each of them uses an installer file of 10 MB, and you can download at any time.
We have already this working with VideoStudio X9 and CorelDRAW X8. You run the installer, will get the installation file side by side and if you like you can save that downloaded program.

[photodrawken]

Most people want to store installations file, but have the problem that they take a lot of space. And why wasting this space if you need to install eventually once or twice, maybe three times? Is not bad the idea to have 10 different programs, each of them uses an installer file of 10 MB, and you can download at any time.

Ha, Ha, Ha! This is so inadvertently funny, it has me ROFLMAO!

You don't mention another option -- write modern, bug-free, efficient code! For example, there is an image editor costing 59 euros which is a thousand times more powerful and feature-rich than PSP and has its complete installation available as a 22Mb zip file. When installed without the sample images, its installation takes up only 40Mb space on the drive. Why can't Corel bring PSP closer to that level of efficiency?

The point is that it's now the second decade of the 21st century. Time to wake up and aspire to the highest standards....

[brucet]

Thanks for your response Simone. Ken makes a valid point re coding efficiency. But that would mean a complete rewrite, something I doubt Corel would even contemplate. Bit like unscrambling an egg!!

However re your comments. Corel/you need to keep in mind two factors that you have obviously ignored. 1/ hard drive space is cheap. Programs take up less space than just one of my PSP Image files. So that's not an issue. 2/ some of us poor sods don't have super fast internet connection. Some of us simply can't download a 300meg file in one session. City folks need to keep that in mind. So one download, even a large download, that we can save is preferred. It's a security 'thing'. Having the full program backed up somewhere other than the internet just make good sense.

If Corel simply made it clearer to Trial users that the option to either download just the installer or full files at purchase time then there wouldn't be an issue.

Let me decide if I want the installer option or the whole file. Just make it clear to potential users.

As for subscription based use? We will see. I will wager you that somewhere in the Corel bean counter offices they are considering it.

Again thank for your response.

regards

[Simone Corel UK]

@brucet
I assume you haven't used VideoStudio or CorelDRAW. The installer file is only 12mb. The downloaded program is the full package. It's up to you to install or only to download the program. Nothing has changed. That the trials install directly is okay. I think what' important we can keep the full program and don't have to re-download (keeping in mind that there are regions where internet is weak or not existing)

@photodrawken

there is an image editor costing 59 euros which is a thousand times more powerful and feature-rich than PSP and has its complete installation available as a 22Mb zip file.

Do you have a name? I would like to test it.

[photodrawken]

@photodrawken

there is an image editor costing 59 euros which is a thousand times more powerful and feature-rich than PSP and has its complete installation available as a 22Mb zip file.

Do you have a name? I would like to test it.

PhotoLine

[Simone Corel UK]

@@photodrawken

Thanks, and I'm testing it. It's a nice program.

It takes 60MB on the hard drive (PSPX8 takes 200MB), but I'm missing
- that I can record a script (maybe I haven't found it)
- Manager where customers get EXIF, set stars and all the bits and pieces. I can set stars in File - Function but where is an overview like in Manage? (Not that I have ever used this but many customers spend a lot of time for rating images and browsing through them). "Browse" is nice, works like PSP10, but doesn't look inviting.
- Slidehsow is nice for beginners, but looking at the style and html output, I'm in doubt if beginners could change it and experts would do the same work quickly manually.
- Tools and Filters are a bit little (I love Clarify and Smart Sharpen in PSP)
- tabbed documents (how do I come to the next picture without going to Window - Next)
- when I save an image, where is the preview?

Definitely positive:
The text tool works very well.
The Color select works like old in PSP times

But all in all, if I get for £59 Photoline or PSP, I would still go with PSP. What I use in PSP daily is perfect for my workflow. The most important feature for me is "Last used". I love it.

[brucet]

I'll back Kens statement re PSP v Photoline. For editing power PSP isn't even in the same zip code. Yes PSP has some nice features. I use both simply to have the best of both worlds. But never compare PSP's EDITING features to Photoline and hope to win the debate. Won't happen!!! ( PSP is more user friendly. Has some good 'basic' features that new users feel comfortable with. Plus management etc).

Simone I suggest to see this site. Scroll down and read Herbert123's comments.
https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/1600 ... photoshop/

However Corel is never going to compete with PL simply because Corel is targeting a different market. And to be realistic Corel will never rewrite PSP to make it a more efficient code. Wont even happen.

Re downloads. On other forums there are comments re Corels change to only allowing Installers to be downloaded. Some users are backing away from Corel simply due to this 'change'. Corel needs to address this issue ASAP. Make it clear that there are both options available.

regards

[photodrawken]

Very briefly, I'll respond to your specific points so as not to start a PL vs PSP comparison thread:

It takes 60MB on the hard drive (PSPX8 takes 200MB),

As I said, without installing the demo images, the drive space used is 40Mb. PL can be run completely from a USB stick.

- that I can record a script (maybe I haven't found it)

You can record macros. (As a side note, I've been participating in this PSP forum for several years and I'd estimate that 99.5% of the PSP scripting is done in attempts to force PSP to provide missing functionality. PL has so many features built in that it doesn't need Python-type scripting.)

- Manager where customers get EXIF, set stars and all the bits and pieAs a ces. I can set stars in File - Function but where is an overview like in Manage? (Not that I have ever used this but many customers spend a lot of time for rating images and browsing through them). "Browse" is nice, works like PSP10, but doesn't look inviting.

There are many places to see that info: The "Browse" feature can be customized to show the desired data, there are also the "Document Attributes" panel and the "Document Information" window.

- Tools and Filters are a bit little (I love Clarify and Smart Sharpen in PSP)

Snort! Too many tools, filters and features to list in this message (such as 47 available adjustment layers), but there are at least 3 methods of doing "Clarity" and at least 3 methods of doing sharpening, all of which can be applied non-destructively as adjustment layers.

- tabbed documents (how do I come to the next picture without going to Window - Next)

There is a simple way to get tabs across the top of the editing window for the opened pictures. Not appropriate to go into the details of that technique here, though.

- when I save an image, where is the preview?

I don't understand what you mean.

The "last used" filter is always available as a menu item.

If anyone reading this message is still curious about why I claimed that PhotoLine is "a thousand times more powerful and feature-rich" than PSP, I only need to begin by mentioning one thing: PhotoLine has a real Gradient tool -- you draw the gradient directly in the main editing window, change its location, size, colours, etc., right there and see exactly what the effect is. Oh, and the circular gradients have an editing point to let you "scrunch" the circular gradient into an elliptical gradient. All right before your eyes directly on the image.

The bottom line is that we all have our unique needs and workflows, and it's nice to have the choice of an editing program that suits us best....

[Joelle]

Good grief, you have a nerve...

Have you all of the sudden started using PSPX8?
I think not.

Joëlle

[photodrawken]

brucet,

You're absolutely right about having the best of both worlds, and PhotoLine's unique capability of defining any program on the computer as an external program for effortless round-tripping means that every graphics program can be used as the equivalent of a PhotoLine plugin. As far as I am aware, that capability is not available in any other image editor on earth.

One more brief summary page of PhotoLine's feature set is this page:
http://alternativeto.net/software/photoline/

The point worth emphasizing is that every tool, every function, every feature, every filter, every effect, every mask in PhotoLine work on 8-bit, 16-bit and 32-bit images. No need to degrade the 16-bit RAW images from one's nice digital camera down to 8-bit in order to perform some editing function.