Over the past 40+ years I have been involved with many, many situations where, for want of a better description, chaos reigns. That has been true of projects with small companies and with large ones, like Microsoft. It is inevitable in the computer industry.
It is never any fun to be in a chaotic situation where uncertainty reigns. And, from reading just about every message about the eCraft on the Yahoo group and Craftwell's Facebook page, it's clear that this is true in the situation in which eCraft owners find themselves. So, for what it's worth I would like to suggest something that has never failed me in W-A-Y worse situations than this one. (I once felt it necessary to return more than $30,000 to a client because the software I had tried to use was so bad that I felt I could not complete the project.)
In the rural area I grew up in, the method I use is generally called "Taking Stock". We step back and rather than looking at what we DON'T know, we focus on listing what we DO know. And, then try to use that to apply to the things that we don't know.
So, what do we know?
First, we know that the standalone eCraft is able to cut the shapes on an inserted SD card without stuttering. That tells us the the cutting engine, the firmware inside the machine dedicated to perfoming cutting operations is basically working. Yes, we've seen evidence that squares are not square. But, they ARE at least rectangles and not random jittering lines. So, our first known is this:
KNOWN #1: The basic cutting engine inside the eCraft is working correctly.
We also know that the basic design of the hardware is excellent. While we've had to learn the settings and when to use the blade cover or not, most of us, with a little experience under our belts, can cut most materials including heavy card stock, light papers, cloth and model airplane plywood. While we haven't had the luxury of seeing how it performs over several years, it certainly seems tough enough to take some erious punishment. So, our second known is this:
KNOWN #2: The eCraft hardware design is excellent and the build is rugged.
Beyond the machine, we know some things about the company. We know that the harware beta testers have said that the company has been very responsive when it came to hardware changes and that the machine we now have is a vast improvment over the machine they were first give to test. So, to me that is something that we should not and cannot forget when it comes to the current software situation.
KNOWN #3: Craftwell has proven responsive in the past
We now know a bit more about the structure of the organization behind the eCraft. We can visualize this structure as three arms... manufacturing, software and marketing (with support).
KNOWN #4: The Structure behind Craftwell has three arms
The parent company of Craftwell is Asian based and it is a large manufacturing company with what we Americans call "deep pockets". We have been told, and I believe it to be true that they have many years of experience in electronics manufacturing and that they have a large staff of engineers. Since I don't know any more than this about the company, I am going to limit my 'known' factor to one thing.
KNOWN #5: The Manufacturing Arm of eCraft is large and experienced.
The software company is revealed by eCraftShop Pro, itself. As I write this, I do not have the software available. So, I will have to modify this blog entry when I return home from traveling. But, it is an India based company that specializes in writing software for startup ventures. It appears to be a large organization and India has become a center of software development because of their combination of high education and lower wages. You would be very surprised to learn how many large U.S. Game companies rely on programmers and designers from India and China. My only concern about long distance programming is that direct contact is lost and this, I feel, is what happened with eCraftShop Pro. What appears to be a software problem is really a communication and software management problem. Given the size of the campany behind the software and the location where brilliant programmers are readily available, I think once the communication and project management issues are fixed, we will be quite pleased with the end result. But, for now, it is nothing less than disastrous for Craftwell. So, our knowns for this paragraph are three-fold:
KNOWN #6: The software arm of the Craftwell Organization is large
KNOWN #7: Because it was large, Craftwell might not have paid enough attention to managing the software development more directly
KNOWN #8: Fixing the communication and project Management problems will fix the software problems
A lot of people are surprised to hear me call Craftwell a start-up company. After all, the parent company is enormous and has many years of experience in the electronics field. Start-up companies are generally seen as little mom and pop operations working with a shoe string budget. So, how can I call Craftwell, that oblviously is NOT in that category a start-up.
Well, it's because I have been involved in many such start-ups over the years. IBM had been in the mainframe computer business for many, many years when it formed a team to market the PC Junior. The PC Junior team was a start-up within the umbrella organization. Moreoever, the thrust of the marketing of the PC Junior was completely outside the long experience of IBM. IBM knew corporate marketing. They were clueless about consumer marketing and that is why I was brought in by the PC Junior team to explain to their parent organization why their strategy was destined to fail if they did not change quickly. I still have the paper I presented, to no avail, and the PC Junior not only failed; but, failed miserably. What was the missing element in IBM's strategy? Emotion. IBM had opted for practicality and completely missed the emotional aspects of why people felt the strong need to "learn computers" at the time.
But, that is not my only example. Hasbro is the largest toy maker in the world. But, with Nolan Bushnell of Atari fame, they created a little startup video game company called ISIX in the 1980's that had to stand on its own to succeed. Time-Life Software was a startup within the giant Time-Life organization. Astrocade, sold the video game system developed and owned by the Bally empire. Cosmic Blobs was a small startup tean within the giant Dessault orgranization.
I worked with all of these projects that were effectly startups within much larger organizations. One of the things that made them a startup was that they were moving the company into a market into which they had never gone before. So, even though all of these large companies had years of experience, they did NOT have experience in the field in which the startup team was going to be taking them.
And, that is where the Craftwell offices in the U.S. come in. They are the startup team taking their parent company into the new market of digital die cutters and crafting. And, it is obvious that this startup team was more focused on getting the hardware right than on getting the software right. In fact, I believe that they were (and are) a bit naive about the level of sophistication that will be required by the software to satisfy this marketplace.
But, I also think that they will NOT make that mistake in the future. So, my knowns for these last paragraphs are:
KNOWn #9: The Craftwell team can be considered a startup
KNOWN #10: Start-ups by the very nature of moving in new directions, lack some of the operational experience they need.
KNOWN #11: Those gaps in expertise can be filled quickly.
The infrastructure is there. All the elements for total success are there when we take stock of what we know. Naivete is not surprising in a startup team since there are so many unknowns to the team. They are charting new waters. But, those gaps that resulted in the software we see can be easily corrected by better communication and stronger project management. This is a wake-up call and I think the Craftwell management knows this and is now VERY wide awake!
You wait and see. The end result of this current chaos is going to result in a stronger and more dominant product in the future. I LOVE working with people that have experienced some failure. They are the truly wise ones. Nobody knows better then they, what to watch out for in the future.
If you have already purchased an eCraft and are concerned, I think you'd be wiser to keep it than to return it. My experience says this a GOOD thing (although it looks TERRIBLE now) for all of us in the very near future.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Stuttering When Trying to Cut SVG Files.
Nothing is more critical to us now then being able to import and cut SVG files. In my TRIAGE list it is right at the top.
Hopefully, the behavior that many, if not all, of us are experiencing when trying to cut a shape that was imported as an SVG can be fixed very, very quickly.
Here is a video that demonstrates the problem.
My operating system is a Windows 7 - Ultimate (64-bit) and you can see the driver that I'm using in this article.
If you are having similar problems with a different operating system, or NO problems with cutting SVG imports, PLEASE let us and the software designers know by posting a comment. THANKS!
NOTE: I have NOT seen this behavior with eCraftshop's internal shapes. So far. I THINK it's limited to SVG files. I'm importing SVGs from Inkscape both in Inkscape and Regular formats.
Hopefully, the behavior that many, if not all, of us are experiencing when trying to cut a shape that was imported as an SVG can be fixed very, very quickly.
Here is a video that demonstrates the problem.
My operating system is a Windows 7 - Ultimate (64-bit) and you can see the driver that I'm using in this article.
If you are having similar problems with a different operating system, or NO problems with cutting SVG imports, PLEASE let us and the software designers know by posting a comment. THANKS!
NOTE: I have NOT seen this behavior with eCraftshop's internal shapes. So far. I THINK it's limited to SVG files. I'm importing SVGs from Inkscape both in Inkscape and Regular formats.
You don't see me panicking and I bought TWO!!!
I know that everything that could go wrong has gone wrong when it comes to the debut of eCraftShop Pro. You've had problems getting it loaded. I've had problems getting it loaded. It's been tough.
And, on top of that the electricity and phones went out in the area in which the Craftwell offices are located and everyone is having to work from home. It's got to be a nightmare for them.
Then there is the software, itself, once it is loaded. I saw a rave review on Craftwell's facebook page touting how wonderful it is. And, I could not help but wonder what universe he is living in! I am NOT going to rave about how good the software is. That's because it is not.
BUT!!!
And, I mean this sincerely...
The eCraft is a better machine than my Gazelle in all the ways that are important to me. And, the Gazelle is among the best of the best. If you panic it is you that will lose in the long run, as all these startup glitches get put behind us.
Many, many years ago, I was in charge of a Washington Area telethon called the "Johnny Cash Youth Special" that we expected to bring in millions of dollars. But, just as the telethon went on the air, a popular local call-in program also went live on the radio. Unfortunately, we were on the very same 'choke' network. This network is designed to protect the entire phone system in a surge of calls by blocking calls on purpose. Our phones went dead as a doornail. And, we barely cleared expenses. We were devastated.
The Baltimore chapter of the organization was not on a 'choke' network. They DID make millons and they were estatic. At that time, neither organization could ever have guessed what the final outcome would REALLY be in a very short time.
A year later the Baltimore organization was almost broke having lost all their old support base because that base thought they were no longer needed. But, we still maintained our old support base because they knew they were needed. In the end, we came out AHEAD and the Baltimore chapter all but collapsed.
In a time of crises, chaos or just plain uncertainty it's easy to lose perspective. Don't let that happen here. The eCraft is, at it's CORE a superior machine. The fringes might be a bit rough right now. But, from all the testing I have done, I have to believe that the CORE is rock solid.
But, what of the Software?
Being honest, I have to say it's a huge disappointment. But, in my 30+ years of being a software designer, I've delivered big disappointments before. Yet, once we and the client saw what we'd delivered and how our original vision had fallen short of their actual needs, we were both able to more clearly communicate what they wanted and what we could deliver. SOFTWARE IS EASILY AND QUICKLY CHANGED!\
Once you know what you DON'T want, you have a better idea of what you DO want.
So, rather than bash anything and everything about the eCraftShop Pro, which I could easily do, I would rather work with my fellow eCraft owners to TRIAGE the software and communicate our priorities and our expectations back through the Craftwell channels to the developers.
PRIORITY #1: SVG IMPORTING AND CUTTING
For me, the number one priority is to get the SVG importing and cutting fixed... and fixed fast. With that working we have the safety valve of being able to use any number of products to create our own designs. Everything else is a distant also ran.
And, if that doesn't get fixed, then it's time to go in another direction.
Finally, I started out by pointing out that I have purchased two of these machines... and, remember, I am not even a crafter. I am helping my artist daughter do her art. And, along the way hoping to help you who can do such beautiful work to do YOUR art.
I could easily return them. But, I won't. I'm looking to where this can go, not where it is right now. And, I remain convinced that those of us that muscle through these uh... interesting... times. Will be VERY glad that we did.
TRIAGE... not TRASH... is the road I'm going to take.
I'll do it with my eyes wide open and my reality glasses on. I'm as sad as you are that we weren't delivered a much more mature product. But, we do have to remember we are dealing with not only an infant product; but, an infant company. It takes guts for a start-up to invest the kind of money they've invested in the hardware. So, I am willing to believe that after this wake-up call they are going to be willing to invest the same energy and money in the software.
Let's help them do it. You know what you want and you know what you need. This is your chance to mold a product to fit both of those criteria.
Maybe this blog is a good place to communicate your own priority or priorities. I allow comments as long as they are not totally outrageous or filthy. As you look at eCraftShop Pro, right now, what is YOUR number 1 priority? The great thing about the internet that people all over the world can work together to build a better tool for themselves. And, it's easy for those who are responsible for making the changes to see what you have to say.
I usually respond to comments. But, in this case I will not, letting you have a conversation among yourselves to build our community TRIAGE list.
And, on top of that the electricity and phones went out in the area in which the Craftwell offices are located and everyone is having to work from home. It's got to be a nightmare for them.
Then there is the software, itself, once it is loaded. I saw a rave review on Craftwell's facebook page touting how wonderful it is. And, I could not help but wonder what universe he is living in! I am NOT going to rave about how good the software is. That's because it is not.
BUT!!!
And, I mean this sincerely...
The eCraft is a better machine than my Gazelle in all the ways that are important to me. And, the Gazelle is among the best of the best. If you panic it is you that will lose in the long run, as all these startup glitches get put behind us.
Many, many years ago, I was in charge of a Washington Area telethon called the "Johnny Cash Youth Special" that we expected to bring in millions of dollars. But, just as the telethon went on the air, a popular local call-in program also went live on the radio. Unfortunately, we were on the very same 'choke' network. This network is designed to protect the entire phone system in a surge of calls by blocking calls on purpose. Our phones went dead as a doornail. And, we barely cleared expenses. We were devastated.
The Baltimore chapter of the organization was not on a 'choke' network. They DID make millons and they were estatic. At that time, neither organization could ever have guessed what the final outcome would REALLY be in a very short time.
A year later the Baltimore organization was almost broke having lost all their old support base because that base thought they were no longer needed. But, we still maintained our old support base because they knew they were needed. In the end, we came out AHEAD and the Baltimore chapter all but collapsed.
In a time of crises, chaos or just plain uncertainty it's easy to lose perspective. Don't let that happen here. The eCraft is, at it's CORE a superior machine. The fringes might be a bit rough right now. But, from all the testing I have done, I have to believe that the CORE is rock solid.
But, what of the Software?
Being honest, I have to say it's a huge disappointment. But, in my 30+ years of being a software designer, I've delivered big disappointments before. Yet, once we and the client saw what we'd delivered and how our original vision had fallen short of their actual needs, we were both able to more clearly communicate what they wanted and what we could deliver. SOFTWARE IS EASILY AND QUICKLY CHANGED!\
Once you know what you DON'T want, you have a better idea of what you DO want.
So, rather than bash anything and everything about the eCraftShop Pro, which I could easily do, I would rather work with my fellow eCraft owners to TRIAGE the software and communicate our priorities and our expectations back through the Craftwell channels to the developers.
PRIORITY #1: SVG IMPORTING AND CUTTING
For me, the number one priority is to get the SVG importing and cutting fixed... and fixed fast. With that working we have the safety valve of being able to use any number of products to create our own designs. Everything else is a distant also ran.
And, if that doesn't get fixed, then it's time to go in another direction.
Finally, I started out by pointing out that I have purchased two of these machines... and, remember, I am not even a crafter. I am helping my artist daughter do her art. And, along the way hoping to help you who can do such beautiful work to do YOUR art.
I could easily return them. But, I won't. I'm looking to where this can go, not where it is right now. And, I remain convinced that those of us that muscle through these uh... interesting... times. Will be VERY glad that we did.
TRIAGE... not TRASH... is the road I'm going to take.
I'll do it with my eyes wide open and my reality glasses on. I'm as sad as you are that we weren't delivered a much more mature product. But, we do have to remember we are dealing with not only an infant product; but, an infant company. It takes guts for a start-up to invest the kind of money they've invested in the hardware. So, I am willing to believe that after this wake-up call they are going to be willing to invest the same energy and money in the software.
Let's help them do it. You know what you want and you know what you need. This is your chance to mold a product to fit both of those criteria.
Maybe this blog is a good place to communicate your own priority or priorities. I allow comments as long as they are not totally outrageous or filthy. As you look at eCraftShop Pro, right now, what is YOUR number 1 priority? The great thing about the internet that people all over the world can work together to build a better tool for themselves. And, it's easy for those who are responsible for making the changes to see what you have to say.
I usually respond to comments. But, in this case I will not, letting you have a conversation among yourselves to build our community TRIAGE list.
eCraft Driver on a Windows7 (64-bit) Computer
Everything that I test will either be on a Windows7 - Ultimate (64-bit) or an XP Professional machine. I can't guarantee that the drivers loaded onto my machine for the COM port are the correct drivers. But, they are the drivers that Microsoft Windows 7 THOUGHT were the right drivers and they at least allow me to cut. When I first loaded the software the driver, for whatever reason, failed to install correctly.
The name of the driver on my machine is Silicon Labs CP210x USB to UART Bridge (COM3)
The settings are the defaults.
When we click the Advanced Button, we get some more information about the driver settings. Again, these are the default settings.
The third tab in this dialog box reveals the date of the driver, which in my case is 7/21/2010.
But, selecting the driver details reveals the most useful information for those whose drivers have failed to load correctly. If gives us the files and the locations of those files. If your is failing, you might want to check for these files.
This tab isn't all that interesting. But in the interest of showing all the tabs, it's included.
And, the same is true of the last tab. It may be that you might want to uncheck the auto power off. But, only if you suspect it's giving you problems.
HOW MINE FINALLY LOADED
I could not cut when I first installed the software. I knew not to connect the cutter before installing it. So, that wasn't the issue. And, I tried, several times, to unplug and plug in the USB cable without success.
So, I went to the System Device Manager and found that the device driver WAS loaded. But, at the time it was 'not working correctly' for whatever reason. It will be found under "Ports (COM & LPT)
I made sure the eCraftShop pro was closed and the eCraft was turned off. Then I deleted the entry. I cannot remember if I rebooted or not. But, once its was deleted I attached the USB cable and turned on the eCraft. At that point, Windows 7 went searching for the driver for the eCraft and installed it correctly.
Now, I THINK this is the correct driver. But, I have not seen any other machines and Windows could have found a close match. I am having some problems cutting SVG files. And, it's possible that it's a driver issue.
I'm a software developer. I don't claim to be a hardware guru. So, take this post with that in mind. It's at lease worth a try for you.
The name of the driver on my machine is Silicon Labs CP210x USB to UART Bridge (COM3)
The settings are the defaults.
When we click the Advanced Button, we get some more information about the driver settings. Again, these are the default settings.
The third tab in this dialog box reveals the date of the driver, which in my case is 7/21/2010.
But, selecting the driver details reveals the most useful information for those whose drivers have failed to load correctly. If gives us the files and the locations of those files. If your is failing, you might want to check for these files.
This tab isn't all that interesting. But in the interest of showing all the tabs, it's included.
And, the same is true of the last tab. It may be that you might want to uncheck the auto power off. But, only if you suspect it's giving you problems.
HOW MINE FINALLY LOADED
I could not cut when I first installed the software. I knew not to connect the cutter before installing it. So, that wasn't the issue. And, I tried, several times, to unplug and plug in the USB cable without success.
So, I went to the System Device Manager and found that the device driver WAS loaded. But, at the time it was 'not working correctly' for whatever reason. It will be found under "Ports (COM & LPT)
I made sure the eCraftShop pro was closed and the eCraft was turned off. Then I deleted the entry. I cannot remember if I rebooted or not. But, once its was deleted I attached the USB cable and turned on the eCraft. At that point, Windows 7 went searching for the driver for the eCraft and installed it correctly.
Now, I THINK this is the correct driver. But, I have not seen any other machines and Windows could have found a close match. I am having some problems cutting SVG files. And, it's possible that it's a driver issue.
I'm a software developer. I don't claim to be a hardware guru. So, take this post with that in mind. It's at lease worth a try for you.
Important Message From Craftwell to eCraft Owners
I picked this up from the eCraft_Crafter's Yahoo Goup. Sara and Paul are straight shooters in a tough situation. It was going to be tough enough to launch a new software product. But, adding the complexity of drivers for various flavors of Windows and then to lose power just puts that task right over the top. So, I'm certainly willing to give them some slack.
Hi All,
First, I want to thank everyone who has purchased an eCraft. We really appreciate your business and are working hard to provide the best customer service possible.
For a reason I am not aware of (the hurricane hasn't even hit yet and our weather is beautiful) our NY office lost phone and internet connection for 3 hours yesterday afternoon, and power is completely out today. Our entire staff is working from home and no one is at their desks to take support calls. As you can image, A LOT of emails have been coming in with questions and concerns, and please understand that we are doing our best to respond to everyone in a timely matter.
We are in the process of training an entire staff of customer service reps, but until that transition takes place, there are VERY FEW employees who are responding to your inquiries, so it might take more than the 1 or 2 hour turnaround time everyone is used to with us. I apologize for the inconvenience and your patience is GREATLY appreciated.
A side note: As with any new technology company, our first launch of the software is not perfect (as you are all aware), and there will be numerous updates and upgrades along the way before we get to a version that (almost) everyone is happy with. We are aware of the issues that have been pointed out by the first users, and our development team is working as we speak to fix these known issues. We hope everyone can be patient and optimistic during these next few weeks as we work hard to deliver an exceptional product.
Thank you for understanding.
Best,
Sara Wilenkin
Marketing Coordinator
Craftwell
Software Introduction at Purple Paper Paradise
The software arrived at a tough time for me. For the past year, we have been dealing with defending my wife's elderly parents from a sibling that seems not to be content to wait for an inheritance to get her hands on their assets. Hopefully, we are nearing the end of this ordeal. But, we have 3 hearings from today until Tuesday. And, that is enormously time consuming and mentally exhausting.
Fortunately, others are doing a great job of analyzing the new software and creating videos for you to see.
So, hop over the Purple Paper Paradise and watch the videos.
I will try to put some together over the weekend. A Denise has found, this software is a start. But, it has a long way to go before we can praise it without reservations. So, we will follow two tracks. The first track is to help you use what IS there. And, the second track we will use to try to help Craftwell come up with an orderly list of developmental priorities so that the most critical broken or missing items get the highest priority.
There is one thing, in particular, that I would like to find out from those of you that have the software and try to import SVG files. The behavior I am going to describe is intermittent. But, I think it may be a driver problem. Sometimes when I attempt to import a simple SVG created in Inkscape, the cutter starts on the shape and then slows to a miniscule crawl, never completing the cut. At other times, with other shapes, it cuts just fine. I'd appreciate hearing from you about your own experiences in this regard.
Fortunately, others are doing a great job of analyzing the new software and creating videos for you to see.
So, hop over the Purple Paper Paradise and watch the videos.
I will try to put some together over the weekend. A Denise has found, this software is a start. But, it has a long way to go before we can praise it without reservations. So, we will follow two tracks. The first track is to help you use what IS there. And, the second track we will use to try to help Craftwell come up with an orderly list of developmental priorities so that the most critical broken or missing items get the highest priority.
There is one thing, in particular, that I would like to find out from those of you that have the software and try to import SVG files. The behavior I am going to describe is intermittent. But, I think it may be a driver problem. Sometimes when I attempt to import a simple SVG created in Inkscape, the cutter starts on the shape and then slows to a miniscule crawl, never completing the cut. At other times, with other shapes, it cuts just fine. I'd appreciate hearing from you about your own experiences in this regard.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
There Aren't Many Times When I'm Speechless
But, this is one of them.
Through more trials then one should have to go through to load a new piece of software I have eCraftShop Pro up and running.
I said, well before the release, that we were going to have to be patient with this first version. And, that was accurate. I have many observations. But, I don't want to make them immediately after the frustrations of trying to get the software up and running.
So, I will refrain for now, providing any critique of the program itself.
But, I will make some suggestions for Craftwell and for those of you that have not, as yet, downloaded the program.
Advice to Craftwell: PLEASE replace the .RAR file with the more common .ZIP file format. It will save you countless support calls. Since XP, the Windows platform KNOWS about ZIP files natively. It does not have a clue what a .RAR file is. Save the .RAR file format for the Mac version.
Advice to Owners: Find WinRAR and install it BEFORE you try to download eCraftShop Pro. It will save you a ton of grief.
Advice to Owners: Do NOT start eCraftShop Pro before plugging in your eCraft machine and turning it on. Windows7 (64-bit) owners may find that they have to 'fix' the drivers. Follow Windows advice and let it find and install the latest drivers.
If you go into eCraftShop Pro and it will not cut, then the COM port is not configured correctly.
Installation on 2 Machines
Notice to Craftwell: I was having trouble, at first, getting the device driver to install correctly on a Win7 (64-bit) machine. So, knowing that my license allowed for 2 installs, I tried to load it on an XP machine. When I tried to use the same Key I'd received it told me that it had been used. OK, I'll go get a second activation. OOOPS! No I won't! It told me that I'd already gotten an activation key.
So, the second install was impossible.
Fortunately, I was finally able to get the drivers on the Win7 machine to load.
The software is up and running and I made a single cut before coming up here to alert everyone to the pitfalls I found while installing.
Everything else will have to wait until tomorrow when I have some more time to reflect on priorities in the review process.
Through more trials then one should have to go through to load a new piece of software I have eCraftShop Pro up and running.
I said, well before the release, that we were going to have to be patient with this first version. And, that was accurate. I have many observations. But, I don't want to make them immediately after the frustrations of trying to get the software up and running.
So, I will refrain for now, providing any critique of the program itself.
But, I will make some suggestions for Craftwell and for those of you that have not, as yet, downloaded the program.
.RAR File Format
Advice to Craftwell: PLEASE replace the .RAR file with the more common .ZIP file format. It will save you countless support calls. Since XP, the Windows platform KNOWS about ZIP files natively. It does not have a clue what a .RAR file is. Save the .RAR file format for the Mac version.
Advice to Owners: Find WinRAR and install it BEFORE you try to download eCraftShop Pro. It will save you a ton of grief.
Drivers
Advice to Owners: Do NOT start eCraftShop Pro before plugging in your eCraft machine and turning it on. Windows7 (64-bit) owners may find that they have to 'fix' the drivers. Follow Windows advice and let it find and install the latest drivers.
If you go into eCraftShop Pro and it will not cut, then the COM port is not configured correctly.
Installation on 2 Machines
Notice to Craftwell: I was having trouble, at first, getting the device driver to install correctly on a Win7 (64-bit) machine. So, knowing that my license allowed for 2 installs, I tried to load it on an XP machine. When I tried to use the same Key I'd received it told me that it had been used. OK, I'll go get a second activation. OOOPS! No I won't! It told me that I'd already gotten an activation key.
So, the second install was impossible.
Fortunately, I was finally able to get the drivers on the Win7 machine to load.
The software is up and running and I made a single cut before coming up here to alert everyone to the pitfalls I found while installing.
Everything else will have to wait until tomorrow when I have some more time to reflect on priorities in the review process.
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