What do Kyocera, MicroLogic Systems, Mindscape, Inc., The Learning Company, Broderbund, Mattel, Riverdeep, Houghton Mifflin Riverdeep Group, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, and Encore Software have in common? PrintMaster. Broderbund may be the most familiar of the bunch. PrintMaster has been published under the Broderbund name for many years and is currently distributed by Encore (in North America, at least). For a somewhat amusing story (with the occasional bit of rough language) read A Salute To PrintMaster Plus 2.0 by Syd Lexia which picks up the PrintMaster tale in late 1988.
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Now how does the 1988 PrintMaster connect with today's PrintMaster 18 and the newer PrintMaster 2.0?
Honestly, they upgrade so often and have so many versions (gold, platinum, express) that it's hard to keep up. But first an email and then a reader review alerted me to a problem with this new PrintMaster 2.0. Barry Ulrich writes:
"Just purchased Print Master 2.0 thinking it was an upgrade from Print Master 18, but found (in conversation with Broderbund customer service) that the two programs were developed and produced by different companies. I discoved only after installing Print Master 2.0 that it does NOT RECOGNIZE any of the projects/files created in Print Master 18."
In an email, Mel Neiman calls PrintMaster 2.0 "a disaster." He describes some of the many problems he's encountered with version 2.0 and also says that "The hundreds of items I have created [in previous versions] cannot be opened in the new Printmaster 2.0."
So what has happened with PrintMaster. Looking at the Broderbund/Encore Software site, PrintMaster 2.0 (Platinum, Express, and Gold versions) are touted right alongside PrintMaster 18. Although you might expect an upgrade from 18 to be 19, we know that doesn't always happen (think of the CS versions of Adobe, the X versions of Corel and Serif for example) so it's reasonable to assume that 2.0 is one of the numbering switcheroos and that it's an upgrade from 18. Nope. Not so. At least not a backward-compatible upgrade.
Buried in the system requirements for 2.0 (which is for both Mac and PC, unlike the other PrintMaster programs) is the statement "Note: Projects made in previous versions of PrintMaster cannot be opened in PrintMaster 2.0." Thanks for the prominent warning. Now it's not terribly uncommon for some upgrades to drop support for much older versions because of new file formats and features, but usually that's for a few upgrades back, not the immediately previous version.
Sounds to me like someone wanted to create a whole new program ("from the ground up" as their marketing says) but wanted to take advantage of the PrintMaster name. What we have here is a whole new program with the same name that creates the same kind of projects but in a totally different way and doesn't play nice with other programs with the same name from the same company. Hmmm... Not a very nice thing to do to longtime customers.
I recently purchased Print Master 2.0 thinking it was an upgrade … Had the same problems: “Note: Projects made in previous versions of PrintMaster cannot be opened in PrintMaster 2.0.” In addition, it was too bloated. I immediately uninstalled it. reinstalled my previous version, but the install of 2.0 rendered my previous version of “Calendar Creator” unuseable. I purchased a stand-alone version of “Calendar Creator” and it was also unuseable. PM 2.0 was not only a waste of $$$, but carries with it many regrets.
Just another case of corporate Greed.
I had the PrintmasterPlatinum version which I used for a couple of years; got tired of maneuvering the 5 separate cd’s though. When Broderbund came out with The Printshop ProPublisher version 20 all on one dvd I switched to it several years ago. It has a lot of the same features but more convenient.
Now though I am experimenting with some of the Serif publishing software for some of the more sophisticated features. Still love all the built in pictures and clipart available on the Broderbunds though.
PrintMaster 18 and many of the prior versions’ projects can be opened with the current versions of PrintShop Deluxe, etc. I have done this with many of my projects since for many years Broderbund has been handling both PrintShop and PrintMaster.
I purchased the PrintMaster Platinum 2.0 and didn’t get a chance to install it until a few weeks later. WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT! I wouldn’t even call this PrintMaster. The clip art thumbnails are so small, you have to open them to see what they actually are. For templates, you can browse more online, but you would have to buy what you like and at up to $9.99, I really don’t think that it is worth it. I am uninstalling and returning. I hate to say it, but it may be “Never again, PrintMaster.”
i got burned too, this was my fourth version of printmaster over the years, my wife (kindergarten teacher) has created numerous projects with it. I saw it at office depot when i was buying a new comp and saw it was 39.95 w/ a 40.00 rebate so i through it in the cart, was excited because it was mac compatible as well. luckily my version 16 loaded just fine on new pc w/ windows 7. i am glad i am going to get a rebate for the full purchase price, but i am annoyed i had to pay tax on it and waste a stamp to get my money back.
PrintMaster 2.0 isn’t an upgrade it has less features than a previous version I’ve been using, Silver 17. I want my money back, but I won’t send it back because I’ve already taken a lose. I will Not use this software. I am done with BroderBund!
This program is a huge disappointment. It does not open projects from previous versions and it is a definate downgrade in both features as well as user friendliness.
I have been very disapointed with the PrintMaster Platium 2.o product. I can’t get the third DVD to load and the clip art is not very nice. I had an older version that I can’t use on my new lap top, that I really liked but this one I think is a waste of money. I will not but another one of their products.
I too have been a past user of PrintMaster and thought this new version was going to be great. Wow, what a huge disappointment! Very limited clip art even with Platinum. Four-fold cards are printed on four pages with no control what prints on the last page – You gessed it, it is the PrintMaster name! I am deleating it and going back to my previous version.
They got me too! I used to use PrintMaster Platinum 16… Now that I have a new Mac I ordered 2.0 Express. I can’t even create business cards because it only gives you an option size of 8.5 X 11 (that’a a big business card). Also you can’t open two projects at the same time to copy and paste anymore.
Lastly, everything you wind up needed template wise is an on-line option with a price. Even if I was willing, I did not see business card templates. I have never spent so much time trying to create something as simple as a business card. This is horrible S/W. I am going to try for a refund.
I have PrintMaster Platinum Ver. 18 and though I have created a couple nice projects, I have had so many problems with it! When I had to call support I stayed on the line like 20 minutes before they would even get on the phone…then they told me to do a long “fix it” correction, and when I asked them if this problem has existed for years like they told me, why didn’t they fix it? And, why does the same problem keep occurring now? I’m fed up with this product. Now it won’t even pull up my project at all…I have uninstalled the program, reinstalled it and it still doesn’t work. Give me another program! Oh, and it doesn’t even have transparencies!
PrintMaster 2.0 is a huge disappointment and a waste of money!
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