According to the Snagit version history the following are part of the upgrade to 11
* Restricted the use of GIF and 256-color image files to only during opening and saving.
* Removed support for several file formats including .msp, .cal, .pcx, .raw, etc.
* Removed the ability to capture full screen DOS windows.
* Removed the ability to capture icons from .exe and .dll files.
* Removed the "Create Web Page" feature.
* Removed the Web Capture mode.
* Removed the ability to capture from DirectX applications.
* Removed various region capture options including capturing triangle region, a rounded rectangle region, an ellipse region, etc.
I'm used to upgrades adding but not removing. I can't find an explanation but would like to understand the reasoning before I decide whether to upgrade.
Thanks.
* Restricted the use of GIF and 256-color image files to only during opening and saving.
* Removed support for several file formats including .msp, .cal, .pcx, .raw, etc.
* Removed the ability to capture full screen DOS windows.
* Removed the ability to capture icons from .exe and .dll files.
* Removed the "Create Web Page" feature.
* Removed the Web Capture mode.
* Removed the ability to capture from DirectX applications.
* Removed various region capture options including capturing triangle region, a rounded rectangle region, an ellipse region, etc.
I'm used to upgrades adding but not removing. I can't find an explanation but would like to understand the reasoning before I decide whether to upgrade.
Thanks.
Posted 8 years ago
Hi,
I fail to see how removing the ability to capture DirectX screens, IE: Video Games was deemed necessary. The only reason I bought Snagit was to capture snapshots of some of the games I played to post online. If I can no longer do that then I cannot upgrade.
I fail to see how removing the ability to capture DirectX screens, IE: Video Games was deemed necessary. The only reason I bought Snagit was to capture snapshots of some of the games I played to post online. If I can no longer do that then I cannot upgrade.
Adam Marks, Software Developer
Hi anthonymrx, Using All-in-One capture in Snagit 10.0 and above will capture most modern DirectX games so we can still capture screens from DirectX video games. The DirectX capture that we removed was for use with older DirectX games and older Windows OS versions.
I'm so glad I found this post. Â I was about to upgrade from version 10 to 12, but a lot of the functionality that they've removed are things that I use and require. Â
What a stupid policy to remove features.
Also - expecting your users to give up their privacy to help you with market research also seems stupid. Â
Also - there is a thing called selection bias - if you only use feedback from those that allow you to invade their privacy, then you will have a skewed view of your customer demographic. Â Those types of users are usually not sophisticated. Â So you are basing your design choices not based on forward thinking, proactive design, but instead on what your lowest level customer 'reports' to you.
btw - my purchase would have been a 50+ user license.
instead, i guess we'll continue with windows snippet and old versions of snagit.
it's interesting how smart software folk allow not so smart marketing to drive their business decisions.
What a stupid policy to remove features.
Also - expecting your users to give up their privacy to help you with market research also seems stupid. Â
Also - there is a thing called selection bias - if you only use feedback from those that allow you to invade their privacy, then you will have a skewed view of your customer demographic. Â Those types of users are usually not sophisticated. Â So you are basing your design choices not based on forward thinking, proactive design, but instead on what your lowest level customer 'reports' to you.
btw - my purchase would have been a 50+ user license.
instead, i guess we'll continue with windows snippet and old versions of snagit.
it's interesting how smart software folk allow not so smart marketing to drive their business decisions.
Hello,
As mentioned above, based on our research and user data analysis, we removed those features/capabilities because the majority of our customers were not using those options.This allowed us to eliminate some outdated code and continue to offer a superior user experience.
Thank you,
Tiffany
As mentioned above, based on our research and user data analysis, we removed those features/capabilities because the majority of our customers were not using those options.This allowed us to eliminate some outdated code and continue to offer a superior user experience.
Thank you,
Tiffany
Wow. It is a shame that TechSmith cannot figure out away to make the features listed above available for those of us in the 'minority' who use them. I am a long time customer of TechSmith and a long time user of Snagit. I started using Snagit over a decade ago while serving in the United States Air Force. I found the program so useful, I bought it with my own money to use on the military projects that I over saw. When my IT manager saw how useful the product was, he finally agreed to buy several licenses for our unit to use! Over the years I purchased several upgrades for my personal use, as well and I have continued to use the the program in my retirement.
I have watch the Snagit improve greatly during the last decade and it is, in my opinion, the defacto software for screen captures for the Windows operating system---bar none. Unfortunately, with the release of Snagit v11, this is no longer true. The removal of the aforementioned features will now force me (and others who use them) to find another programs that support these task, which is something I really don't want to do. Oh well...
I have watch the Snagit improve greatly during the last decade and it is, in my opinion, the defacto software for screen captures for the Windows operating system---bar none. Unfortunately, with the release of Snagit v11, this is no longer true. The removal of the aforementioned features will now force me (and others who use them) to find another programs that support these task, which is something I really don't want to do. Oh well...
I have the old setup files for an older version. I think I'm going to revert to an older version.
I have worked for some of the largest Class A software companies in the world over the last (almost) 30 years. But - I would love to hear how you get your user feedback and how you illicit feedback from your user community!
When Windows Paint has some basic user functions that you removed - that is not an improvement to your product.
I have worked for some of the largest Class A software companies in the world over the last (almost) 30 years. But - I would love to hear how you get your user feedback and how you illicit feedback from your user community!
When Windows Paint has some basic user functions that you removed - that is not an improvement to your product.
Ive Not up graded my TechSmith products twice now...and have left my real money on the table...because of the poor choices in removing features. This kind of mindset and behavior at TechSmith needs to be "removed". It creates bad will in a customer centric marketplace. It isnt cute or smart...or appreciated by your money paying customers. I love your products...they are brilliant...but whoever fosters this attitude at Techsmith (Even the CEF/CFO)...it need to stop. Your research is way off.
Well said!...
Tiffany, you have a tough job. The engineers wreck a perfectly good program by removing features and then put you on the front line to paint it a different color. I applaud your efforts, but it's difficult to sell the concept that less is better.
There are many software manufacturers that offer options, add-ons, modules, etc. I think Techsmith needs to go back to the marketing drawing board. They have left a loyal portion of their customer base in the ditch.
There are many software manufacturers that offer options, add-ons, modules, etc. I think Techsmith needs to go back to the marketing drawing board. They have left a loyal portion of their customer base in the ditch.
While I agree with everyone that this was a poor move, I must insert a correction on atty's attack "The engineers wreck..." I doubt the company allows technicians (i.e., software developers) to make decisions like which features to put in or take out. Actually, it's a failure of marketing, whose job it is to make sure developers create products that are demanded by purchasers as reported by Sales, and make sure management knows what the developers can and can't do and how much time (which is money) everything will take.
The problem is (1) possibly started by a skewed survey as pointed out already, (2) a failure to understand upgrade and "improvements" psychology. Snagit Marketing Management should have realizes a basic truth: it doesn't help sales to add 50 new features but delete 5 supposedly unpopular features if those who do use the 5 deleted features are core supporters, software decision-makers, procurement and others who recommend what companies should buy. Don't piss off those who are happy to publicize the problems widely via the web and change minds.
To give a simple example, let's say feature X is only used by 1% of current users. You might say that would be a reasonable target for removal if the code is hard to maintain & debug. Is it, though, if one of people you've pissed off is John Dvorak, who wrote two monthly columns for PC Magazine. When John isn't happy he just writes one column, which can do tremendous damage not just for this product but for a company's entire product line. What if a spreadsheet program deletes a feature used by only 1% of users, but that 1% is made up of top financial analysts and senior corporate financial management? Suddenly all the Fortune 500 companies not only drop the product but spread the word about another company's software that CAN do what they like. You can hit a "tipping point" that can bring down a company!
The mistake Marketing made in this case is they figured the few advanced customers who used these features were low on quantity of people which made them low on quality of people. I use the word quality to make a point, not to suggest the users who don't care are poor quality. But let's face it. One person using the product at home and who never tells anyone else about it is not the same as one person who is influential in purchasing decisions made by ten thousand people.
Snagit should recover by rewriting the features in modern code. You can regain the trust and customer relationships you've damaged or destroyed with this event, but you have to stop being stubborn. Admit the mistake, fix it, apologize for the trouble you've cost, and let time heal all wounds.
The problem is (1) possibly started by a skewed survey as pointed out already, (2) a failure to understand upgrade and "improvements" psychology. Snagit Marketing Management should have realizes a basic truth: it doesn't help sales to add 50 new features but delete 5 supposedly unpopular features if those who do use the 5 deleted features are core supporters, software decision-makers, procurement and others who recommend what companies should buy. Don't piss off those who are happy to publicize the problems widely via the web and change minds.
To give a simple example, let's say feature X is only used by 1% of current users. You might say that would be a reasonable target for removal if the code is hard to maintain & debug. Is it, though, if one of people you've pissed off is John Dvorak, who wrote two monthly columns for PC Magazine. When John isn't happy he just writes one column, which can do tremendous damage not just for this product but for a company's entire product line. What if a spreadsheet program deletes a feature used by only 1% of users, but that 1% is made up of top financial analysts and senior corporate financial management? Suddenly all the Fortune 500 companies not only drop the product but spread the word about another company's software that CAN do what they like. You can hit a "tipping point" that can bring down a company!
The mistake Marketing made in this case is they figured the few advanced customers who used these features were low on quantity of people which made them low on quality of people. I use the word quality to make a point, not to suggest the users who don't care are poor quality. But let's face it. One person using the product at home and who never tells anyone else about it is not the same as one person who is influential in purchasing decisions made by ten thousand people.
Snagit should recover by rewriting the features in modern code. You can regain the trust and customer relationships you've damaged or destroyed with this event, but you have to stop being stubborn. Admit the mistake, fix it, apologize for the trouble you've cost, and let time heal all wounds.
Well said! Very knowledgeable and educational.
I'm digging the discussion! Is TechSmith listening to these comments? More importantly, what are you going to do about it TechSmith?
I too have been using Snagit since release 8 and on the previous support forum we had lots of feature requests and suggestions that I hoped and anticipated would be coming out by now. Rather than get these new features, we've seem to have gone in a different direction. Why?
Did we just dump the old forum suggestions and wipe the slate clean with "get satisfaction" (contradictory term in this case) and say we don't need to address those requests?
Maybe we can open it up for discussion on "The Forge" or the "News Letter"?
Contrary to what you might think Techsmith, I really enjoy using your products and it really makes my day-to-day life a whole lot easier but when you start taking away features and don't break out all the goodies for us to use, well, it's almost like we're stuck in the ol' 80s CTRL + Prt Screen days. Ya know what I mean? What about a little bit more innovation?
I too have been using Snagit since release 8 and on the previous support forum we had lots of feature requests and suggestions that I hoped and anticipated would be coming out by now. Rather than get these new features, we've seem to have gone in a different direction. Why?
Did we just dump the old forum suggestions and wipe the slate clean with "get satisfaction" (contradictory term in this case) and say we don't need to address those requests?
Maybe we can open it up for discussion on "The Forge" or the "News Letter"?
Contrary to what you might think Techsmith, I really enjoy using your products and it really makes my day-to-day life a whole lot easier but when you start taking away features and don't break out all the goodies for us to use, well, it's almost like we're stuck in the ol' 80s CTRL + Prt Screen days. Ya know what I mean? What about a little bit more innovation?
I have used SnagIt almost since its humble beginnings. In its day it was a truly unique and much-needed utility. Removing features and calling it a paid "Upgrade" is a new one on me.
IMHO, the best solution would be to allow the user to selectively install or not install the features that were 'removed' in the Ver. 10 to Ver. 11 "upgrade." That way, those who still use the features that you deem unnecessary would not have to go through the trouble of finding other software solutions and in the long term making SnagIt software far less vital.
IMHO, the best solution would be to allow the user to selectively install or not install the features that were 'removed' in the Ver. 10 to Ver. 11 "upgrade." That way, those who still use the features that you deem unnecessary would not have to go through the trouble of finding other software solutions and in the long term making SnagIt software far less vital.
An excellent suggestion that should be followed if the situation repeats itself.
I need to add my voice to those who disapprove of your feature removal strategy. In particular, I don't understand the benefit, even for your developers, of removing the icon extraction from EXEs and DLLs. The icons are still there in the files, and have worked the same way for several generations of Windows -- why bother to touch your code at all?
I use this feature on a regular basis, and won't be upgrading until you put it back.
I use this feature on a regular basis, and won't be upgrading until you put it back.
Adam Marks, Software Developer
Hi Steve,
Thanks for the feedback, unfortunately the format of icons changed starting with Vista when a new style of icon started with a embedded PNG file format and our existing code was not able to extract this new kind of icon.
Here is a link to a free utility that should work well to pull icons out of EXEs and DLLs and it has been updated to work with PNG icons also :
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/iconsext...
Thanks,
Adam
Thanks for the feedback, unfortunately the format of icons changed starting with Vista when a new style of icon started with a embedded PNG file format and our existing code was not able to extract this new kind of icon.
Here is a link to a free utility that should work well to pull icons out of EXEs and DLLs and it has been updated to work with PNG icons also :
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/iconsext...
Thanks,
Adam
So I guess you're saying that the new icon code is just too much to handle and we should use a 3rd party software to bail us out of this alleged upgrade?
Personally, I did the upgrade/paid for it hoping for new features or enhancements. Am using SnagIt for screencaptures only. Enhancements like having a brush in the editor, like zooming in/out in (much) smaller steps, like 5% or so, thinner crosshair,
etc.
Frankly, I hate to say it, but upon consideration and if you are using screencaptures only (i.e. no video recording stuff) then I donot think the upgrade is worth paying for.
etc.
Frankly, I hate to say it, but upon consideration and if you are using screencaptures only (i.e. no video recording stuff) then I donot think the upgrade is worth paying for.
The only thing that I see in the new features that I would buy it for is the spell checker.
Oh, heck. My new project is to create twiki help using web shots from the application. But I have SnagIt 11, and now learn that I will have to go back to 10 (time-consuming, and I have a deadline) or look for a workaround software. This would have been my first use of web capture mode.
It seemed like SnagIt would surely grow with new trends, and web capture is growing. How did you determine which users did not use particular features? No one included me in a survey, and I'm a longtime user who recommended you to everyone. Also, no one replied to my suggestion for an improvement in an earlier version (which was to restore another removed function that I had used all the time).
It seemed like SnagIt would surely grow with new trends, and web capture is growing. How did you determine which users did not use particular features? No one included me in a survey, and I'm a longtime user who recommended you to everyone. Also, no one replied to my suggestion for an improvement in an earlier version (which was to restore another removed function that I had used all the time).
Adam Marks, Software Developer
Hi Linda,
Thank you for your feedback. It is still possible to capture content from any web page using Snagit 11 using the all-in-one capture mode.
The feature that we removed was called "web capture" and what it really did was spider through a website grabbing only the images from various web pages on a given site.
Thanks,
Adam
Thank you for your feedback. It is still possible to capture content from any web page using Snagit 11 using the all-in-one capture mode.
The feature that we removed was called "web capture" and what it really did was spider through a website grabbing only the images from various web pages on a given site.
Thanks,
Adam
Hi Adam,
I bought the 11 version but need to have the "magnify" feature: is it possible to download the 10 version that support this feature ?
Thanks, evelino
I bought the 11 version but need to have the "magnify" feature: is it possible to download the 10 version that support this feature ?
Thanks, evelino
Hi there
When you install SnagIt (and many other applications) you are usually offered an option to send anonymous usage data.
To toggle this off or on, open SnagIt's preferences and click the "Improve Snagit" tab.
Cheers... Rick :)
When you install SnagIt (and many other applications) you are usually offered an option to send anonymous usage data.
To toggle this off or on, open SnagIt's preferences and click the "Improve Snagit" tab.
Cheers... Rick :)
Evelino, I'm not sure what you are referring to when you say "the maginify feature". Can you expound on what you mean by that?
Wow. I almost clicked the upgrade button. Glad I waited. Sounds like the pitch is missing the audience. I can't understand how a mild face lift justifies gutting functionality. I also don't understand why they think we are dumb enough to go for it.
Its like going to the mechanic for a tune up with a Benz and leaving with a slightly newer Cobalt. then having the mechanic tell you that the heated seats power windows and navigation are not used by "most" customers so he removed them; but look at the shinny new paint!
Its like going to the mechanic for a tune up with a Benz and leaving with a slightly newer Cobalt. then having the mechanic tell you that the heated seats power windows and navigation are not used by "most" customers so he removed them; but look at the shinny new paint!
Actually this is done more often than you would think. Apple just released new hardware that requires a new USB interface cable. You either pay for a converter or pay for the cable. It can do this because its followers treat the company is an inanimate religious figure.
I do understand why companies want to get rid of old code. Often documentation is poor, resulting in "spaghetti code" as in Windows before 95 and MS-DOS. The way it should have been dealt with is to either redevelop the features using well-documented code, making the default installation option to leave out the bad code except for those who need it (implying they find it works for them), or making the old features add-ins so those who want it can have it while the vast majority won't and will never notice the difference.
I do understand why companies want to get rid of old code. Often documentation is poor, resulting in "spaghetti code" as in Windows before 95 and MS-DOS. The way it should have been dealt with is to either redevelop the features using well-documented code, making the default installation option to leave out the bad code except for those who need it (implying they find it works for them), or making the old features add-ins so those who want it can have it while the vast majority won't and will never notice the difference.
Hi Mr. Davis,
I apologize if you are disappointed. We did add a lot of great new functionality and feature requests to Release 11. Here is some information on what's new:
http://www.techsmith.com/snagit-whats...
Our user data indicated that these features were not used and we have better workarounds for some of the options as well. If you currently use something that we removed, it would be helpful to understand what you use. Specific examples are very helpful as we continue to try to improve Snagit.
Thank you,
Tiffany
I apologize if you are disappointed. We did add a lot of great new functionality and feature requests to Release 11. Here is some information on what's new:
http://www.techsmith.com/snagit-whats...
Our user data indicated that these features were not used and we have better workarounds for some of the options as well. If you currently use something that we removed, it would be helpful to understand what you use. Specific examples are very helpful as we continue to try to improve Snagit.
Thank you,
Tiffany
Poor Tiffany is doing the best she can to deal with this situation. Finding out how people specifically use the deleted features and then recoding them is a good idea, but it's also too little too late for many.
In the interest of transparency and full disclosure,Techsmith should post the "research and user data analysis" that they collected that lead them to remove the features listed in this forum! Or better yet, just put the darn features back in the next update or make them available as an "add-on" or "plug-in" so those of us who need them can still use them! Sheeese!
I don't agree with this solution. Corporations have reasons to keep how and why they do things secret, and in fact all do so). A better solution is to send a notice to those customers who haven't said "don't bother me" asking them if and how they use these features, and perhaps whether they are home users, professionals, or in corporations.
Tak Suyu
You stifle your product by permanently removing features,
I realize it runs faster without them, but you can include them within installers and let it be a loadable config. As to allow the minority of users be able to use the product for what they might have bought it for.
Hope you get the constructive intent of this message
Glad to see a program that is very close to becoming my primary recording software.
Tak Suyu
1GB limit.. but your suite option doesn't suffer from it.. with a greater than 4x price increase..
Couldn't you just release a recorder for a slightly higher dividend if you really wanted the money.. or you know.. fix it? for general users who aren't quite High Production Professionals.. and appeal to the people who would want to use this product.. the hobbyists
Adam Marks, Software Developer
Tak Suyu
v10 limit
Adam Marks, Software Developer
Tak Suyu
Thanks for taking the time to explain it and also must buy...
StevieB
Steve Feldner
At best, that data is useless if you are trying to profile "power users" or, actually, anyone that is a savvy computer user. Those users, myself included, DO NOT EVER participate in such "feedback" programs and will always "opt-out" in order to avoid sending ANY data to a program's creator or to anyone for that matter, when it is done "automatically" or "in the background". I know, I know... You don't send any personally identifiable information... blah, blah, blah. And you privacy statement says... yada, yada, yada...
Us "savvy" computer users have heard those stories before and we have learned, years ago, that companies harvest data with good intentions and yet people get bit every day by companies that EVERYONE used to trust: Apple, Google, Microsoft, Facebook, Twitter and the list goes on... We JUST DON'T send any data to anyone without specifically initiating that transfer. Why do you think firewalls have "Outgoing Rules".
So, to summarize... As a responsible software developer, you need to tailor your products to REAL research and to not make serious decisions -- and serious mistakes -- using flawed statistics. And as far as "total overhauls" and "much better ways to do things", I will leave you with just one example of backward program development that happens when a company DOESN'T pay attention to its users: The Microsoft Office Ribbon.
K S
magusat999
That is all you had to do; make a full featured, REAL upgrade product with all the bells and whistles, old and new - NOTHING REMOVED, and updated for the newer OS's... and make another, less featured version (like the one you have now) and call it SnagSomeOfIt or SnagIt Lite or something, for less money (which means you could still make money for those people who don't need everything or do not have the money to spend on the "Pro" version).
So are you guys going to get off your lazy behinds and figure out the issues with bringing our features back + all the new features? Are will you continue this shameful pattern of downgrading the product, calling it an upgrade; blaming it on "demand"; and making lame excuses and hollow defenses for your lackadaisical end results??? It almost hilarious to see you guys desperately defend your insane decision - what will you say now? Entertain me... And don't forget you aren't the only company out there doing this - try and be COMPETITIVE at least (hi Hypersnap)...
magusat999
That is all you had to do; make a full featured, REAL upgrade product with all the bells and whistles, old and new - NOTHING REMOVED, and updated for the newer OS's... and make another, less featured version (like the one you have now) and call it SnagSomeOfIt or SnagIt Lite or something, for less money (which means you could still make money for those people who don't need everything or do not have the money to spend on the "Pro" version).
So are you guys going to get off your lazy behinds and figure out the issues with bringing our features back + all the new features? Are will you continue this shameful pattern of downgrading the product, calling it an upgrade; blaming it on "demand"; and making lame excuses and hollow defenses for your lackadaisical end results??? It almost hilarious to see you guys desperately defend your insane decision - what will you say now? Entertain me... And don't forget you aren't the only company out there doing this - try and be COMPETITIVE at least (hi Hypersnap)...
magusat999
updowngrade... really.Raymond Joyce
Rick Stone
If you elected to opt out, there would be no data to indicate that was one of your most often used features.
Cheers... Rick :)
Raymond Joyce
Luke Morrison