Karaoke Forums

From the Karaosoft Facebook Page -

"Just posted an image of the new Karma 2014 splash screen on the splash screen history page as a little teaser. Yes it's coming. The first of the 2014 releases should be ready by Christmas."


http://www.karaosoft.com/SplashScreenHistory_Karma.aspx

-Chris

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-Chris

Chris,

I'm a big fan of Karma, I even use it for DJ work because of the simplicity and reliability, and the flexibility to do video as well. Thanks for the update notice, I hadn't seen this yet.

I think I'll wait and read what each release contains before trying them. I am very happy with Karma the way it is right now and I run a lot of shows.

I usually live by the old motto, "If it ain't broke..."

I am excited to see Bob has some upgrades in store for us. Just really curious as to what they are because if they are not anything I think I will use, I won't upgrade.

I am still running 2013.1.19 because the features that have been added after that are for windows 8 touch screens. I run Win7 no touch screen. If the 2014 has really great new features I will probably update. I have been running flawlessly for almost 2 solid years. Not a single glitch of any kind

You and me both brother. I did the upgrade and didn't like it at all. The new features they added for the touch screen actually made my experience on my machine worse, so I went back.

I feel they should have 2 versions of Karma. One for touch screen users and one for non-touch screen users instead of a one-size-fits-all version, because in my case, the one size doesn't fit all.

The only thing different visually in the newer versions is larger buttons that are easier to hit with your finger on a touch screen, but even if you're using a mouse, it still makes them easier to click. There is nothing about the program that has gotten worse, so I don't know what you guys are talking about. Eventually you will have to upgrade to at least the 2013 version that is branded under the new Karaosoft name (2013.11.27) because you can't activate licenses on the older versions that are labeled Latshaw Systems.

If that were true, then I wouldn't have gone back.

It was a long time ago when I updated, so I don't remember exactly what it was that made my experience worse with the new version. I just remember that whatever it was, it made my experience very bad to the point that I needed to go back.

I think it had something to do with how the Karma screen fit. It just didn't fit right and looked weird. I just can't remember now.

I'm gonna keep using the old version until forced to use the new version. And as much as I love Karma, if the new version is not fixed for us non touch screen users, then I will abandon the product and move to something else.

May I suggest CompuHost.

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Alan,
Thanks for the suggestion. CompuHost will definitely be considered if I ever need to switch platforms. I just hope I won't have to switch. Bob Latshaw is a pretty responsive guy and has always been very helpful to me when I needed his assistance in the past.

In any event, I think we are talking far into the future here. Like I said, I am very happy with the version of Karma I am using now. I don't need any new features so there is no reason for me to ever upgrade, unless I am forced to.

And if the day ever comes where Bob forces me to upgrade, I will let him know my concerns. If he is unresponsive at that time, then I will look for an alternative.

I just don't think that situation will ever happen. We'll see.

Not fixed for touch screen users? Seriously? Most people still use a mouse and there's not a single change that makes the job with a mouse any more difficult. What are you talking about? What doesn't fit right? What looks weird? You're being very vague, and you've got me curious as to whether I need glasses or not.

The differences are so subtle they would only impact someone running the main Karma screen on a 640x480 screen. If that is the case, this is the year 2013 and there are a lot of holiday sales on monitors right now.

-Chris

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-Chris

You probably don't need glasses.

I don't use the new version of Karma any more so I can't tell you exactly what it was. That was a long time ago so yes, I am being quite vague right now. The screen didn't fit right and it was getting on my nerves. Then I switched back and everything was perfect. That's all I remember.

And evidently, I'm not the only one who feels this way about the new version.

I'm running it on a 1366x768 screen.

The latest info -

https://www.facebook.com/Karaosoft

Karma 2014 update: More than half a dozen new improvements have already been made in the next Karma release, and in record time, which is why I calculated that the first of the 2014 releases would be ready by Christmas, but the current project, which is replacing the Bass Video engine with the Windows Media Player engine (yes, say goodbye to complicated codecs) is forcing a whole engine overhaul which will simply take more time than expected so it won't be until January before we have the first release ready. In the meantime, I can show you how we've overhauled the main screen so far. You'll notice shorter words and symbols use to save horizontal space (notice "Place" changed to "#", "Qty" changed to "IN", and "Up Next" changed to simply "Next"), plus with larger available font sizes for large touch screens, the minimum and maximum column widths now automatically dynamically change with font size changes using a special algorithm we invented. In other words, you'll see less "chopped off" stuff and more of the info you need to see.

-Chris

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-Chris

I have to say that I am glad that he is moving towards a proven video engine that is thoroughly compatible with Windows applications. I will have to add that the current engine has been working flawlessly for me. I also read that Smoothe is going to switch to Karma this year ..... Way to go Bobby!!!

Everything’s functioning great here too, so far so good, no glitches whatsoever. But of course I would welcome the new updates. Can’t wait to try the new codecs. I like “the larger available font sizes for large touch screens, the minimum and maximum column widths now automatically dynamically change with font size changes using a special algorithm we invented. In other words, you'll see less ‘chopped off’ stuff and more of the info you need to see”. ‘Need to give that hp envy 17t quad touch screen another look.

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To be fortunate enough to derive an income from a source as fulfilling as karaoke music has got to be as close to heaven as we can get here on earth!

I get a little nervous when he talks about moving away from the current video engine because the current video engine is what kept me from moving away from Karma a few years ago. The previous video engine used to cause my system to crash a lot.

Hope the new engine works as well as the current one.