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All Good Things Come to an End

Posted: December 16th, 2016, 6:29 pm
by jsachs
We first released Picture Window and Picture Window Pro roughly 23 years ago in 1993, and it has steadily evolved from that time to the present, transitioning from 16- to 32- to 64-bits and from Windows 3.1 to Windows 95 to Windows 10. During that time, we have enjoyed the support of a dedicated group of users who have helped us improve the product at each stage.

But nothing goes on forever and the time has come for us to shut the program down. Consequently we will no longer be selling Picture Window Pro or issuing any new releases. We will keep our current web site in place until roughly April 2017, including the message board and download areas, but have already removed the ordering page. For those who wish to download the latest version, Kiril and I have prepared a minor update that fixes a few outstanding bugs and removes all copy protection so a serial number will no longer be needed to activate the program. This final version is already available on the web site for download.

I am working on a total rewrite of Picture Window with a more modern interface that may or may not ever see the light of day. If you wish to be informed if and when this new version becomes available to test, please email me directly at jsachs@dl-c.com. The DL-C.COM domain name is reserved for at least three more years, and we expect to transition to a new and simpler web site next year so Picture Window Pro can remain available for download as freeware.

I want to personally thank everyone who has used Picture Window and our other products in the past -- especially those who have helped improve the program over the years by reporting bugs or making feature suggestions. I hope to remain in touch with as many of you as possible going forward.

Jonathan Sachs
President, Digital Light & Color

Re: All Good Things Come to an End

Posted: December 16th, 2016, 8:22 pm
by bobsofpa
I am one who has used PWP for the whole 23 years. I still have a hard copy of the Picture Window Version 1.0 User's Guide. Much of it is still applicable. I am truly going to miss this getting updates to PWP (I will most likely continue to use it for many years) and this message board for all of its great help. Thank you Jonathan.

Re: All Good Things Come to an End

Posted: December 16th, 2016, 8:34 pm
by Bob Walker
I guess I was a latecomer to PWP, buying my first copy at V 3.5 over 10 years ago, and enjoying it every time. As a developer myself, I really appreciate software that does what it says it does with a minimum of bloat, and PWP fit my needs perfectly. I now have licenses for 3 or 4 copies.

My deepest thanks to Jonathan and Kiril for supporting this effort with many years of dedication. I realize things cannot last forever, but I was hoping to die before PWP does (I am 70).

I also thank all the other users who have been so active in passing along questions, hints, tips, and ideas for future improvement.

Thanks, keep me on the list of folks interested in the newest reincarnation, I'll be happy to help out in any way I can.

Bob Walker

Re: All Good Things Come to an End

Posted: December 16th, 2016, 10:36 pm
by jsachs
I'm turning 70 in June myself, so I know the feeling.

Please email me directly to get on the distribution list as I cannot easily recover email addresses from the message board.

Thanks,

Jonathan Sachs
jsachs@dl-c.com

Re: All Good Things Come to an End

Posted: December 17th, 2016, 5:46 am
by Dieter Mayr
I've got PWP 3.2 back in 2002 when I got my first digital camera, a Fuji 602. PWP was tested and advertised in a german photo magazine that time, and coming from the wet darkroom it was intuitive to use.
I have looked in my e-mail archive and found the trialware registration email from Kiril (Version 3.1, from August 2002).
I have always enjoyed the community here in the forum, the exchange of tricks, ideas, and that you and Kiril were so responsive to ideas from us users.
And to be honest, I'm a bit proud too that some of my sugestions have made it in the product.
Im happy to be part of the team here, and I will be glad to test any upcoming version you may develope, Jonathan.
E-mail to you is out.
A big thank you to Jonathan and Kiril for this great tool, it will be still useful and in use for years to come, and to all forum members for a good time here, many good tips and ideas!
Will be glad to stay in touch.

Jonathan, I wish you many many years to come with health and a lot of time for making photos.

Dieter

Re: All Good Things Come to an End

Posted: December 17th, 2016, 8:44 am
by den
...

An inadequate Thank-you, Jonathan; Kiril;... ...and message board members...

...den...

Re: All Good Things Come to an End

Posted: December 17th, 2016, 11:11 am
by doug
I started using PWP in 2004 when I got my first digital camera and have been a loyal user ever since. I've got an additional 4 years on you guys turning 70 and, like Bob Walker, I assumed I would die before PWP did.

I've still got the hard copy disks from the earlier versions. But later versions were downloaded directly online. I want to continue to use the current version as long as possible, even if there is no support or additional updates. Can someone explain what to do if my hard drive crashes and the current version becomes inaccessible? Is it as simple as copying the entire folder containing PWP to some secure, backup external hard drive and it will remain accessible when copied to another computer -- without verification of user codes, etc.? In other words, what precautions must I take to make sure PWP 7.0 it remains available as piece of legacy software?

It has been a great and educational 12+ years for me. Thank you so much Jonathan and Kiril. In another thread, you (Johnathan) talked about the DoF program and commented about how some aspects of the topic were discussed in "sickening detail." Being as anal as I am, I just love that about your explanations -- including your various white papers.

Doug Haag

Re: All Good Things Come to an End

Posted: December 17th, 2016, 11:49 am
by johnp
I wish this was an April Fools post.

What awful news.

Thank you so much for a great product and all the interesting info. Picture Window is a terrific product.

John Providenza

Re: All Good Things Come to an End

Posted: December 17th, 2016, 3:12 pm
by couman
Thank you, Jonathan and Kiril. As I mourned the passing of 1-2-3, so shall I mourn expiration of PWP. But, not for too long (I hope) – future surprises are anticipated.

Re: All Good Things Come to an End

Posted: December 17th, 2016, 3:48 pm
by jsachs
couman wrote:Thank you, Jonathan and Kiril. As I mourned the passing of 1-2-3, so shall I mourn expiration of PWP. But, not for too long (I hope) – future surprises are anticipated.
Thanks for your note. If you want to be on the mailing list, you need to email me (jsachs@dl-c.com) as I cannot retrieve your email from the message board.

Thanks,

Jonathan Sachs