Any opinions out there?? I currently have EQ5 (very new user) and am curious about upgrading to EQ6. I checked at joanns.com and can get the upgrade for $59.99 vs. $74.95 retail and wanted to know if the difference between the programs is worth the upgrade cost? :?:

Thanks!!!

Sorry but I can't help as I never had EQ5. I went right to EQ6. Its my first EQ software too.. But I do love it and the possibilities are endless!! You can also print out your fabric yardage requirements!! I'm not sure if EQ5 did that, but I love that feature!!! I only got my copy back in early Spring. I played with it a bit so far, but I still have much to learn on it. I have been so busy finishing projects to teach for the Fall season and selling my tote bags, I haven't had a chance to sit at my laptop lately and play. Hopefully in the fall I will have a chance to do a few more tutorials!!!

Let us know how you decide!

I haven't upgraded yet. I keep thinking about it, but never seem to do it. EQ5 does everything I need to do. EQ5 also prints fabric yardages.

I am curious what the upgrades are. They must be at EQ's website.

This link lists the features of EQ6.

http://www.electricquilt.com/Shop/EQ6/EQ6F.asp

keep in mind that EQ6 limits you to FOUR installations and then you have to PAY AGAIN for software you ALREADY OWN to install it again...

I did not know that when I ordered my EQ6 from Joanns and the possibility never crossed my mind that they would do that...

hello, I never stole your software and never gave out copies so why am I being treated like a criminal???? Why do I have to pay more because somebody else did??

I do like the program, but I would NOT buy if again with limited installations - I'm still using software I bought years and years ago that has been installed on numerous computers - all my OWN - from hardware upgrades to hard drive failures, etc etc....

so what happens years from now when I want to install for the 5th time on yet another new computer and ha, the company is no longer supporting the program?? I guess I just toss it and buy another version for $$$$$$ - NOT....

aside from that, I really (really) like the program - really! :lol:

Here are some FAQ's about the upgrade: http://www.sheilawilliams.com/eq3files/EQ6Upgrade.html
Here are the new features: http://www.quiltbus.com/EQ6.htm
Here is one bloggers comments about the activation limits and the responses she received: http://judylaquidara.blogspot.com/20...=1198978680000
Here is more about when you need to use an activation: http://www.electricquilt.com/Shop/EQ...ctivations.asp

As I understand it, if you explain to EQ why you want/need a fifth activation, they may or may not charge you for it. It is not cast in stone that you have to buy the software all over again. According to their website: "You can activate EQ6 four (4) times without contact to our technical support group. After that, you will have to contact us specifying the reason for an additional activation. Each request will be evaluated on a case by case basis when the need arises."

I understand the activation limits. I have different software that runs on different "copyright" technology. You can't run the software without a software key.

But, I paid for the program and if I want to load it up on laptops and desk tops, I don't want to be hindered in anyway.

I too don't "share" the software. That's not ethical to do. But, because of a few bad apples, the whole bunch is spoiled and we're all treated like rotten apples.

It is hard to go from unlimited installations as I understand EQ5 is to a limit of 4 - but when I was researching digital scrapbooking software, MOST of the programs would allow only one installation per software purchasedl. If you wanted to install more than one, you had to buy more than one copy of the software - which means I didn't purchase those programs!

I had read the information on the extras in EQ6 vs. EQ5, but because I am such a new user, I don't understand the implication of the new stuff!Maybe then I will wait until I get more proficient with EQ5 before upgrading to EQ6 or even wait until EQ7!

Thanks everyone!

I can tell you that the printing options or upgrades for the blocks and foundation pieces is much needed. I have very limited printing control and can't print the foundation piece templates the way I'd like to have them printed in EQ5.

Printing options are very important and I have some complaints with EQ5 in that regard. I'm especially not happy with the paper-pieced templates I have been printing. They just print a bunch of lines wiht numbers and have no shading or color scaling to orient yourself with the block. It's been very problematic in the templates I've printed so far.

Hi cordelia, I have Eq5. Do you mean the templates for cutting the material or the foundation block. When you copy your block and then put it on the work table. Go to File and click on print. a window for the block pops up. click on foundation pattern,then options and make sure grayscale has a check in the little box. print it out and it is shaded.
for the templetes themselves I don't think you need to have them shaded. If I am wrong please excuse me. But I Print shaded foundation a lot off my EQ5. I hope I helped you.
I wouldn't want EQ6 for because of the loading 4 times. Sometimes I take EQ5 off to do something else because it does take up a lot of memory.
Bill'sBonBon

You know, I can really understand the resistance to buying EQ6 because of the activation limits. Perhaps if the company was made aware by enough polite emails and letters from quilters, both those with EQ5 and those of us who are considering buying something for the first time, so they know that this is the ONLY reason we would not purchase EQ6...well, maybe they would rethink their policy. Maybe. Just a thought.

It does have a shading option to check, but in the particular blocks I'm working on, all it does is shade the entire thing. So, it's either a white page with lines or a shaded page with lines.

I would like to customize the templates a bit so that the shading was in a light color of the original block and there'd be much less confusion.

As it is, I have to do that myself with colored pencils. You'll notice when you download templates from Blocks Galore, they provide a color swatch on the portion of the pattern that is to be that color.

EQ5 doesn't.

Nor'easter, that's a really good point. I will do that and if everyone else does who have a problem with the limit, then maybe they will change it!

I just figure they can't know it's an issue unless we tell them, right? Certainly can't hurt!

oh they know....

I was roundly trounced on the EQ forum for having the audacity to be upset over spending that much money for a program and not knowing about the 4 time limit until the box got here...

somebody said something to the effect that I already knew... no, I did not, I ordered from the Joanns site and as I've said before, the thought that installations are restricted never entered my mind.... I think it's a real crappy way to insure 'upgrades' forever and a nasty way to treat customers.... believe me, my hubby can use his bandsaw more than four times or another analogy - his book of patterns.

I have NOT stolen from that company. I had/have no intentions of stealing from that company. I don't know anybody who HAS stolen from that company. I do know other people with EQ5 - I did not ask for nor was I offered a 'copy' of the program.... I just ordered the newest version for myself.... yet the company 'assumes' that I'm a thief, you are a thief, and "Jane Doe" is a thief so they restrict it... bah humbug...

The other thing that really really po's me is the fact that you HAVE to have internet access to install the program!.... So I guess if we have to give up internet and something happens that I have to reinstall my program, I'm outta luck once again....

So if you know somebody who has a computer, does quilting and doesn't surf the 'net, make sure they KNOW that you HAVE to be able to connect to the internet to install it....

As I've said, I like the program - but I can live without it, and I WON'T buy it again... and when the day comes that the version I have that I paid for $$$$ can't be installed on my computer because they are no longer supporting it, or they are no longer in business (believe me, it happens) or for whatever reason, then we all just go, "gee tough toenails, they were just protecting themselves"

There are apparently a gazillion people out there with lots more money than we have who can keep on the upgrade frenzy, who don't mind being accused of being a thief, and can afford the internet no matter what, and who for whatever reasons seem to think that the policy of 4 installations/internet needed is perfectly reasonable :?: but I'm not one of them....

This is all my opinion only and you are free to disagree - I don't have any connection to the company except for the fact that I did spend the money to buy the program. And for what it's worth, I do use the program and I like it and it's fairly easy to learn and benefit from.... but I also quilted over 35 years without it.... as did all our ancestors! - they used anything they could get their hands on to make their own patterns - nothin' electronic about it and they fer shure didn't worry about whether somebody stole a pattern they made up... they shared - after all, aren't some of you doing the 'Dear Jane" with all those patterns??
There's a similar book called:
"The Amish Circle Quilt" by Rosemary Youngs (kp books) 2004
It's also a 'letter' book of quilt squares...121....

ask me how many Amish use EQ6... buwahahahahahaaaa

I am well aware that you feel very strongly that you were taken advantage of, Janeen, but I'm not talking about voicing off to a users group or forum. I'm talking about a polite note to the company by those who have not and will not purchase this software because of the activation limits. Personally, I design with Excel and it suits me just fine, at least for now. As for "Amish Quilts", most are no longer made by the Amish so who knows what the makers use.

hey cordila, You are right. I tried a different one. But the EQ6 with its limited loading in my opinion is not worth the price. I have taken EQ5 off my old computer dozens of times. On a laptop,on a borrowed compter, and on this one. But different prefences is what makes this world a wonderful place to live in.

Bonnie

hey cordila, You are right. I tried a different one. But the EQ6 with its limited loading in my opinion is not worth the price. I have taken EQ5 off my old computer dozens of times. On a laptop,on a borrowed compter, which I took off when I returned it, and on this one. But different prefences is what makes this world a wonderful place to live in.

Bonnie


GOLLY GEEWHEEZE how did I do that twice. Sorry I didn't mean to do that.

I have been considering the upgrade and am very wary. If I upgraded, would that mean I no longer could install EQ5?

I'm debating sending a cordial note to them explaining my reluctance to purchase their product with the limited activations. That's a royal pain in the neck. It just provides more aggravation and ill-will on the part of paying customers. I do want the upgrade, but not the added hassle. Right now I don't believe the upgrade merits the expense and future limitations.

The loss of sales over this and the animosity of offended customers would end up replacing some of the theft/loss they're trying to prevent.

It's a cut and loss approach to the theft problem, seems to me.

here's info from their website on activations - i can see why they feel they need to monitor it. it doesn't say they'll flat deny any requests over 4. they just need to make sure that piracy isn't taking place and it looks like they do that through one-on-one communication with the end user.

i just bought EQ5 and will probably wait until EQ7 before i upgrade/purchase a newer version.

http://www.electricquilt.com/Shop/EQ...ctivations.asp

I have a question about EQ5. If I design something in EQ5 and then want to save it to my pictures so that I can share it here, how do I do that? I've seen Patrice and a few others with the EQ files saved & shared, but really can't figure this out.

Just wondering - how much do the programs cost?

I'm still at the graph paper and colored pencil stage.

Anyone with EQ who posts their pictures or directions on here able to share how to do it?

I need to draw up plans for a wall hanging 20' by 40'. I wanted to see how a log cabin design would work with a 6" square for the middle.... and a border or two. Anyone want to play with their EQ? :D

Later--I got it!! A 7" center with four 1.5" (cut) logs on each side...makes an 11" finished square. Three squares with a 3" border will be 39" by 17". That ought to work! :D