New direction? Change? What would you like?

[JohnKleban]

Hey Guys,

Thought perhaps a thread might be in order with regards to what we "the users" would like to see in the future for Casablanca. Please feel free to add any suggestion (s) of any software ideas, hardware thoughts, etc. that you would find most beneficial and would like to see happen.

Before I start, I want to say welcome back to Eric Kloor and a big thank you to Chet for all he has done for the company. I'm excited to see that Chet will still have an active roll with all the users and continue to share his knowledge and ideas with us.

Ok, my first suggestion (and a big one), which is 180 degrees from the older thinking, is I'd like to see the Smart Edit software be released for PC use. I would like the flexibility of being able to put Smart Edit on my own notebook and purchase additional add-on software for such use as well. I've always scratched my head at what I perceived to be Macro’s philosophy to a degree - "let's just maintain our current user base and see if that works." That's fine in the short-term I think, but if we as users and as someone who wants to see this company grow and achieve greater market share and increased revenues, I think such a change will be mandatory in this day and age. Frankly, maintaining any existing client base will eventually dwindle to zero; as people move-on, retire from what they're doing, etc. - so, I think to appeal and to tap into a new market of users (users who like to have the freedom to purchase whatever brand of computer/notebook they want), allowing a Smart Edit version available for install on one's computer is a must. And, with my suggestion, I'm not saying discontinue the dedicated units either (which, actually are running Bogart SE; so, perhaps more mileage out of Smart Edit in this case as well, no? That is if one doesn’t want to release Bogart SE for PC use initially), but simply, perhaps offer the option. Some may want the sure thing and feel more comfortable in getting a unit that is an all-in-one machine; yet, others again, may enjoy that flexibility I talked about. A premium price for such a software only package seems reasonable to me; as well as feasible with regards to maintaining current profit margins; only, minus the costs of the hardware to MarcoSystem. I also think because of the internet, the market of new users is much more educated and versed with regards to computers and the cost of such hardware; so, to truly tap this market and grow, having a PC version available would be a great thing.

The photo industry has changed to reflect this generation and to attract new people into the hobby/industry. Wedding photographers for example, must change their way of doing business; gone for many, are the days of NOT releasing the "negatives/high rez. files" and the demand by clients for traditional wedding albums; and instead, clients want flush-mount wedding albums and the freedom to go wherever they want to get reprints, etc. Also, for some couples, they could give a rats about a wedding album altogether, as this new generation wants to share stuff with friends and family via their computer - emails, iPones, Blackberries, you name it - all non-traditional approaches, yet ways in which new brides are most familiar with and want (and to a degree demand and expect).

Perhaps the same line of rational could be applied in some fashion to our beloved editors and software - as we move forward, perhaps we need to do a bit more "change" on our end too. My two cents.

Thanks for reading; anyone else have any suggestions or ideas they would like to share with others?

[videojim]

I'm not sure how well software that can be put on a PC would compete, as the marketplace is full of that already. Even if the software is worth the money, some systems will simply have to go with cheaper software because of budget constraints. I for one WANTED a standalone editing system, having heard the war stories about system conflicts and such. Wasn't worth the hassle of that to me. After all, my ren has as much RAM as my PC, and more room for all of its programs.

[TimKennelly]

I think MS has made the right move in going to the Linux based system and making their stand alone machines be able to interact with PC/Macs and yet stay stand alone machines.

What they need to concentrate on doing is making the change actually work.

So far the S4000Pro cannot even successfully connect with a PC via firewire which is something I could do with my Solitaire for several years now.

Media Manager has great potential, but so far works about as good as the German to English manuals.

I think the real issue regarding PC available software is the fact that MS does not make a reasonably priced laptop available for us.

One can make all the arguments they want about using high quality, expensive laptops like the only MS option, but many if not most do not want to pay top dollar for their portable unit.

I understand MSDE's philosophy of needing to make a profit on the hardware, but how much profit is really there if virtually no one is willing to purchase the units?

[Franklinbencosme]

Hello folks!!! I agree this is a great time ( I hope )to make changes to MS products.

My simple sugestion to do this change is make a new WEB PAGE for both company.
I am talking to Germany and US. every time I send a friend to se the web page 80%
say that are web page is from the late 80'S(I love 80'S music by the way),so i think
like people say......THE FIRTS IMPRESSION is the most value image to any company.

I well kepp posting every single opinion or sugestion to help MS come to the MARKET again.
Since we are a great comunity ho cares every single step this GREAT PRODUCT let's be
more grateful to EVERY people(Dave Slone,Byrdy,Chet,Dave Adame,Justin,Chuck Olfield
Eric Kloor,welcome home,Jorg Sprave,Jeff etc,etc) that has benn part of this FAMILY!!

Thanks for your time.........Franklin!!!,yes from Dominican Republic!!

ps-March get to G-2009??? I think great oportunity to share ideas !!

[jimmeeker]

Hello Franklin,

Yes the March Get Together is a great place and time to meet many friends from the Casablanca family, and to learn from each other. We have many interesting subjects being presented this year. The new schedule will be up on the web site in a couple of days: http://www.marchgettogether.com There will be about 25 hours of learning and this time Chet will be putting on his special two day session just before the MGT. Remember even though Chet's session is a two day deal, it only requires one more night at the hotel, and if you attend the MGT also, you get a discount on Chet registration fee.

It would be wonderful if you could attend this year. We have seen your videos and have the highest regard for your work. It would be great if we could meet you in person this year.

[Franklinbencosme]

Hey!!! Jim !! thanks for your coments,what a great family whe are !!!

I will travel from DR maybe on sunday since I got a big wedding on saturday
Depends on the tickets air fare maybe even try to fly on Monday.
I hope that we are going to have alot of time to share ideas with all the people
that are going to be there.


Thanks for your time........Franklin!!!!

[PaulBusta]

Now that we have the raw power, 4KPro, I'd like to see an upgrade and yes I'd be willing to pay for it, of ALL the effects to atleast 16 or 32 bit processing and support for alpha channel. Then we'd be in the BIG LEAGUES with the BIG BOYS. Those are just two of the many reasons my friends want me to switch to Premier Pro.

[JohnKleban]

Agreed about the Casablanca website; it's a little embarrassing (and I'm being polite).

No logic or rhyme or reason to these oval shaped buttons (and the hodge podge of sizes with underlined text in them) nor logic to the flow and layout of the site.

A cardinal sin has been violated too - there is way too much white in the whole design. One's eyes will always be drawn to the lightest colored item on the page; thus, drawn to blank space first; which I think is wrong, my eyes should go to a glowing picture of the S4000 pro or screen shots of Bogart (or Smart Edit) that show visually the benefit of what the system offers.

[jimmeeker]

Hey guys n gals,

That's all well and good, but that would mean that you would have employ someone to do all of that creative work on the web site......and then pay them for their expertise. The economy is in terrible shape and right now the order of the day is cut costs, pull back in and try to survive.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out, whether the lack of luster will cause a lack of sales and will the money run out before we realize we needed more luster and pazazz, and not just autopilot?

The Chicken crossed the road.......to get to the other side.

[TimKennelly]

You do not need to hire someone as an employee to get a professional website designed and such things are not prohibitively expensive from a corporate standpoint.

I have always wondered why MSUS allows such a critical first impression sales device be so primitive and disfunctional.

I do most of my purchasing and researching online now a days and I would never have become a Cassie user if I would have formed my opinion of the competency of the company from their website.

I got interested because of advertisements and reviews in video magazines, but to my knowledge MSUS no longer advertises in the USA and the mags have not reviewed a MSUS device that I know of since I did one on the Renommee Plus for EventDV, which was over two years ago , so the website is now pretty much it for non-word of mouth first line info unless one happens to wander into the Boulder office and I am not even sure if they staff the front office any more.