I wanted to document this online for any other users.
First off, let me say I am a Full Stack programmer, I've been coding PHP, CSS, Mysql, JS, ect... one line at a time since 2001.
Second, let me say I am not "angry" persay, but my eyebrow is raised and I have lost some trust in techsmith as a result of this experience.
Here is how it went down:
Yesterday, Dec 26th I used Camtasia 8 and my Blue Yeti Mic to record a website report for a client like I always do nearly every day, I uploaded it in the usual way, via dropbox. Worked perfectly fine, recorded perfectly fine, AOK.
Today, Dec 27th I got an email from techsmith "time to update to version 9, only $99". I ignored it, im fine with C8, works great...
Today I go to use the same set up I have always had, with a computer that had no changes to it, no hardware change nor software change, and guess what?
Camtasia 8 recorder "mysteriously" starts dropping my audio, consistently, every 3 to 5 seconds.
(we are not talking nonsense toy computer here, Yeti Blue Pro connected to an 8 core 64 bit, Windows 7 with a 960 graphics card +5 monitor 32g ram overclocked custom built PugetSystem's Serenity Machine that renders 100g premiere files in a flash that ran Camtasia 8 every day for over 1 year perfectly fine)
I spent 3 hours trouble shooting it. Here is where it gets strange, when I uninstall C8, disconnect from the web, reinstall C8 from the original exe, it "magically works" again. However, when I connect to the web, it does not.
I was surprised to run Fiddler 2 and monitor Camtasia 8 making outbound connections to various techsmith.com domains and IP's... I know what THATS about. LOL.
So, let me be direct here, as a programmer I know very well how easy and wise it would be to make sure deprecated software stops working or becomes glitchy, (I have done that for clients when they ask for it), and from my perspective I understand it, accept it even.
Simply put: I think techsmith is using a corporate investment strategy that involves deprecating software on purpose to increase ROI and bottom line and I do not care - but I want you to know that because of this I will jump ship one day when I find a suitable replacement.
So, for anyone else experiencing this, let me save you some time - you have 2 options:
#1- I would suggest you just buy the Windows 7 Camtasia 9 upgrade and the $50 of support, programmers work hard, pay them the toll and save yourself allot of time.
-or-
#2- Disconnect your system from the internet and re-install version 8 from the original EXE and as long as you don't update it you should be fine, just don't connect to the internet while using C8.
This is not some angry rant, I dont care, I really dont, I just want my programs to work. I rely on this software to deliver reports to clients.
So, GOOD JOB on Camtasia 9, it looks nice, thank you for that.
Also, GOOD JOB on the C8 "phase out planning", you got me.
Were I in my 20's I would de-compile it and look for proof, now I just go with my gut and do not have time for shenanigans.
If I am wrong, sorry, if I am right, well... HIGH FIVE.
Cheers.
First off, let me say I am a Full Stack programmer, I've been coding PHP, CSS, Mysql, JS, ect... one line at a time since 2001.
Second, let me say I am not "angry" persay, but my eyebrow is raised and I have lost some trust in techsmith as a result of this experience.
Here is how it went down:
Yesterday, Dec 26th I used Camtasia 8 and my Blue Yeti Mic to record a website report for a client like I always do nearly every day, I uploaded it in the usual way, via dropbox. Worked perfectly fine, recorded perfectly fine, AOK.
Today, Dec 27th I got an email from techsmith "time to update to version 9, only $99". I ignored it, im fine with C8, works great...
Today I go to use the same set up I have always had, with a computer that had no changes to it, no hardware change nor software change, and guess what?
Camtasia 8 recorder "mysteriously" starts dropping my audio, consistently, every 3 to 5 seconds.
(we are not talking nonsense toy computer here, Yeti Blue Pro connected to an 8 core 64 bit, Windows 7 with a 960 graphics card +5 monitor 32g ram overclocked custom built PugetSystem's Serenity Machine that renders 100g premiere files in a flash that ran Camtasia 8 every day for over 1 year perfectly fine)
I spent 3 hours trouble shooting it. Here is where it gets strange, when I uninstall C8, disconnect from the web, reinstall C8 from the original exe, it "magically works" again. However, when I connect to the web, it does not.
I was surprised to run Fiddler 2 and monitor Camtasia 8 making outbound connections to various techsmith.com domains and IP's... I know what THATS about. LOL.
So, let me be direct here, as a programmer I know very well how easy and wise it would be to make sure deprecated software stops working or becomes glitchy, (I have done that for clients when they ask for it), and from my perspective I understand it, accept it even.
Simply put: I think techsmith is using a corporate investment strategy that involves deprecating software on purpose to increase ROI and bottom line and I do not care - but I want you to know that because of this I will jump ship one day when I find a suitable replacement.
So, for anyone else experiencing this, let me save you some time - you have 2 options:
#1- I would suggest you just buy the Windows 7 Camtasia 9 upgrade and the $50 of support, programmers work hard, pay them the toll and save yourself allot of time.
-or-
#2- Disconnect your system from the internet and re-install version 8 from the original EXE and as long as you don't update it you should be fine, just don't connect to the internet while using C8.
This is not some angry rant, I dont care, I really dont, I just want my programs to work. I rely on this software to deliver reports to clients.
So, GOOD JOB on Camtasia 9, it looks nice, thank you for that.
Also, GOOD JOB on the C8 "phase out planning", you got me.
Were I in my 20's I would de-compile it and look for proof, now I just go with my gut and do not have time for shenanigans.
If I am wrong, sorry, if I am right, well... HIGH FIVE.
Cheers.
Posted 2 years ago
