PixelMetrics CaptureWiz Newsletter archives

:: PixelMetrics CaptureWiz Newsletter archives ::

PixelMetrics CaptureWiz Newsletter

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In this issue:
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Opps, somebody accidentally blocked all email from AOL.
Our take on Windows 8.
New CaptureWizPro is compatible with Windows 8 Release Preview.

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Opps, somebody accidentally blocked all email from AOL.
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If you sent us email from AOL recently, would you please resend it? Sorry, but after a rash of spam, somebody acted somewhat not-like-a-genius by filtering out all AOL email. Luckily he’s in love, and fixed it on discovering his girlfriend couldn’t reach him. To make up for it, he promises to make some really great improvements to CWP.

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Our take on Windows 8.
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Speaking of mistakes, Windows 8 will soon be upon us. Microsoft is planning a major takeover of your computer and especially the start screen. Windows 8 greets you with a delightful, touch-controlled window filled with "Metro apps". Why the change? Well, looking more deeply, it’s a billboard for over a dozen Microsoft services, from music downloads, to SkyDrive storage, to investment services. Currently, there’s no way around this start screen, but you can rearrange, or delete, individual ads, I mean "tiles".

All the programs you use today are demoted to "legacy" status and appear as drab, non-interactive tiles on the new start screen. Microsoft urges publishers to rewrite everything as a shiny new Metro app because of the significant advantages for mobile use, such as lower power consumption, touch control, compatibility with small screens and sandbox security. That's great when you're using a mobile device, but in the creative environment we live in, it's a reduction in usability and productivity. For example, when answering customer email, we frequently refer to a customer database, open links in virtual machines, copy pictures and text from various programs, and even create short videos. Metro does not permit working between several programs at the same time. Also, its interface is designed for touch, but we need the precision of a mouse and using mice in Metro feels like an awkward afterthought.

Our main grudge is how Metro is being pushed as a replacement to the old desktop environment. We’d prefer for Metro to be a new toy or an equal and cooperating player. Microsoft calls it "Windows reimagined and reinvented". But it looks to us like a whole new operating system with little similarity or connection to the Windows we know. We cheered when Windows XP brought together business and consumer users under one operating system. Now Windows 8 fractures your environment apart into two isolated worlds; desktop programs and Metro apps.

Hopefully, Microsoft will eventually get it right. Remember, they released Windows 1.0 in 1982 and after ten years of improvements, with the release of Windows 3.1, it finally took over the world from DOS.

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New CaptureWizPro is compatible with Windows 8 Release Preview.
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CaptureWizPro will be ready for Windows 8 whenever you are! Version 5.1 is 100% compatible with Window 8 Release Preview, including capture of "Metro apps". CaptureWiz is not itself a Metro app, but it can capture, scroll capture and record Metro apps. It’s easy, but there are some tricks to learn as documented in the help manual:

http://pixelmetrics.com/screen-capture/how-to/index.html?windows_8_and_metro_apps.htm

Also, the selection area in this version is more easily adjusted over on-top windows and it's compatible with new mouse cursors such as those used in VMware Workstation 8.

For those who purchased version 5.0, this update is free! Just download and install it, no unlock key will be needed.

Others can try this version for 30-days. If you like it, say "I want my, I want my, I want my CWP" and upgrade for just $19.95. If not, just click Help / Revert to Prior Version.

Download link:
http://pixelmetrics.com/CapWizPro/Download.htm

Half-price upgrades:
http://pixelmetrics.com/CustomerLookups/

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Contact Info
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PixelMetrics: http://www.PixelMetrics.com

Please send comments, suggestions and stories about CaptureWiz saving the day to: dave@PixelMetrics.com

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