Lack of communication, not clear decisions, change of supported OS - result is hard landing of V2

[Adalbertus]

Maybe there was some information pieces before V2, but I would be happier as a customer if Serif would talk more to us before V2 release.

Obviously I'm user of all three of your V1 apps, and I still wanted to support You, I have even bought in the past, two of Your books with introduction to your software.

I understand the need of some silence for designing new features, but still it is in good manner to have a connection with users of your products.
Like someone have mentioned in other post, for many months people have wondered did Affinity is still alive.

Many users of some, not so old versions of MacOS or Windows (not only Win 7 but also some versions of Win 10) have faced now the fact that they can't use V2.
But You have been selling V1 to the last moment - and nothing have indicated that machines compatible with V1 will not be compatible with V2. Big minus for you for this move.

I understand the need of going further in software world - sometimes will come time to change architecture and OS, but it is good to know faster about it.
Changing a PC in many countries isn't so easy, because of money. But not only, there are also big technical problems with upgrades in some companies. It is often planned some time before.

Wouldn't it be better to tell people that V2 will bring some serious architectural changes?
Some people maybe would delay purchase of your software V1 and would maybe upgraded their machines in first place.
Wouldn't it be better than making dozens of returns?
And there is also "famous" problem with a new installer and broken workflows of many people, like you had no tests on this matter...

Having all this in mind, this is how it may look for some people:
Covid, and other economic situations on the global markets have made hard times for everyone, including Serif.
They have fought all this time to keep key staff and to ensure at least some level of planned further development.
Because of tough situation, there was lack of testing, lack of communication, and some decisions were made ad hoc to bring V2 as quick as possible to start gathering money as fast as possible.
Less supported OS versions - sometime it's needed, but sometimes that means that there is not enough staff and money to support more OS versions.

Honestly, I don't know what to think - I want to support your great work, and no subscription model, but It all stared to look strange and not clear any more.
I think that it is time to make stronger contact with customers.

I don't know, maybe restore road map, make a better place where users can actively take a part in features planning, because I have a feeling that many posts on this forum are just for users - some type of limbo, where users may talk just with themself.

Maybe pick some group of power users and make bigger alpha and beta programs for testing new features.
Maybe making threads with pools with important questions?
Something to get this all straight wit disappointed users.

I don't know but I think that many things have gone wrong during this V2 release.
We even don't know till when promo price will be active? Some people need to upgrade their machines first, so it would be nice to know that. It's good to treat users more serious.
We also don't know nothing about this how long V2 is planned to be the main version, and what is even the sketch of a plan for V3.
There is also no special offer for V1 users - sad a bit.

I wish all best to the Serif team, and I hope that all this will be just better.

I have also found today an interesting option for a different software upgrade:

[loukash]

12 hours ago, Adalbertus said:

I have also found today an interesting option for a different software upgrade

From forum.affinity.serif.com/index.php?/guidelines: 

Quote

Prohibited Content

• […]
• links to any other commercial website or store, although moderators may use their discretion
• references to any other website or store in any way that is believed to be solely for advertising

Just so you know.

[Distill7]

The introductory offer will end on December 14.

[Patrick Connor]

25 minutes ago, loukash said:

From forum.affinity.serif.com/index.php?/guidelines: 

This is allowed under "Fair Comment", just showing a difference in approach, which is hard to show without the screenshot etc.