ExamWritePad

[ass17]

We also AppLocker all other apps from running.

 

We only allow specific apps

[drh92]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]69188[/ATTACH]

 

Hi. We currently have a niggle where the EW sits on this screen for about 5 minutes before the form pops up. Its not the end of the world but has caught us out a c ouple of times. Any ideas about what EW is waiting for?

 

Thanks

 

is there a printer installed? mine did this when papercut print deploy failed to assign its printer

[Tefters]

My exams team have just come to me today regarding this app for installation on their laptops they use for exams, children with special requirements and all that jazz...

 

These laptops are simply Windows 10 Netbooks with Wordpad due to spellcheck, grammar check, bla bla bla.

 

Seen ExamWritePad doing the rounds on the forums since its creation but never bothered looking into it (no offense) as in my view Wordpad should be enough.

 

Due to students not being switch on and saving work incorrectly, forgetting to put their name on it and all the other basic things people cant do with word processing documents I am here now. (Who knew using a Word processor would be harder than learning to write properly!).

 

Went to install the app and immediately pushed back with an error stating it cannot install as internet access is needed?!?!

Is there a solution to this. Cant really see why a word processor created for exam purposes where internet access is usually a no no requires internet access to actually install.

Edited June 21, 2023 by Tefters

[ass17]

My exams team have just come to me today regarding this app for installation on their laptops they use for exams, children with special requirements and all that jazz...

 

These laptops are simply Windows 10 Netbooks with Wordpad due to spellcheck, grammar check, bla bla bla.

 

Seen ExamWritePad doing the rounds on the forums since its creation but never bothered looking into it (no offense) as in my view Wordpad should be enough.

 

Due to students not being switch on and saving work incorrectly, forgetting to put their name on it and all the other basic things people cant do with word processing documents I am here now. (Who knew using a Word processor would be harder than learning to write properly!).

 

Went to install the app and immediately pushed back with an error stating it cannot install as internet access is needed?!?!

Is there a solution to this. Cant really see why a word processor created for exam purposes where internet access is usually a no no requires internet access to actually install.

 

No offence taken :-)

 

That is an issue with the installer, when checking for the required pre-requisite software.

 

Can you email [email protected] so I can send you an alternative link.

 

Thanks

[ass17]

Having spent many years on this project, eight years to be exact, it has now come to the point where I need to secure the long term future for the project. This entails buying into third party add-ons and licensing. I’ve spent many a time replying to emails with one hour of receiving them but I cannot do it all on my own.

I have therefore decided ExamWritePad will become a paid-for service, as of 1st August 2023, allowing me to invest in staffing, future support for other operating systems, more addons etc…

 

Of course, the question will be asked, what happens with current versions of EWP? Well, because they are free and don't expire, I can't force you pay, but I would like to think that education establishments would support ExamWritePad by making it their duty to purchase and receive future updates and technical support. If you decided to stay with your current free version, please continue to do so, but there will be no technical support and no further updates.

 

There will be a simple two-plan offering:

1 Year (Annual) = £249 (unlimited devices/users - 1-year software updates and email support)

Perpetual lifetime license = £1299 (unlimited devices/users - Lifetime software updates* and email support*)

*Updates and support for the life of the product, there is no minimum set period and ExamWritePad can cease trading at any given time - Not that it will anytime soon but it's just a little disclaimer we are legally obliged to say to cover ourselves

Once you make the purchase, you will be given the very first new big feature, the ability to load and read aloud a PDF file directly within EWP and there are many more minor new additions and plenty of bug fixes making it the most comprehesive version to date.

 

Please continue to support this project, you have all been wonderful in your continued support of EWP in various ways, through social platforms, forums, emails and the good old word of mouth.

 

Best regards,Andy

[robintech]

Congrats, saw the newsletter earlier but was waiting for you to post. The PDF function will be a great help

[BKGarry]

TBF There, it is such an awesome timesaving product, I am willing to pay

[thimon]

I’m surprised it’s been free for this long! Game changing product for schools. Thank you so much for your many years of excellent support.

[ass17]

Having spent many years on this project, eight years to be exact, it has now come to the point where I need to secure the long term future for the project. This entails buying into third party add-ons and licensing. I’ve spent many a time replying to emails with one hour of receiving them but I cannot do it all on my own.

I have therefore decided ExamWritePad will become a paid-for service, as of 1st August 2023, allowing me to invest in staffing, future support for other operating systems, more addons etc…

 

Of course, the question will be asked, what happens with current versions of EWP? Well, because they are free and don't expire, I can't force you pay, but I would like to think that education establishments would support ExamWritePad by making it their duty to purchase and receive future updates and technical support. If you decided to stay with your current free version, please continue to do so, but there will be no technical support and no further updates.

 

There will be a simple two-plan offering:

1 Year (Annual) = £249 (unlimited devices/users - 1-year software updates and email support)

Perpetual lifetime license = £1299 (unlimited devices/users - Lifetime software updates* and email support*)

*Updates and support for the life of the product, there is no minimum set period and ExamWritePad can cease trading at any given time - Not that it will anytime soon but it's just a little disclaimer we are legally obliged to say to cover ourselves

Once you make the purchase, you will be given the very first new big feature, the ability to load and read aloud a PDF file directly within EWP and there are many more minor new additions and plenty of bug fixes making it the most comprehesive version to date.

 

Please continue to support this project, you have all been wonderful in your continued support of EWP in various ways, through social platforms, forums, emails and the good old word of mouth.

 

Best regards,Andy

 

 

What I also forgot to mention yesterday, which is also quite important in the grand scheme of things, is that the pricing is for the lifetime license will jump back up to £2999 at the end of August as this is an introductory early bird price.

 

Discount code for MATs will be also available on the website for both the 1 year and lifetime.

 

The one year will always stay £249 (unless I have to start introducing VAT in year 2 onwards)...

[RLR]

What I also forgot to mention yesterday, which is also quite important in the grand scheme of things, is that the pricing is for the lifetime license will jump back up to £2999 at the end of August as this is an introductory early bird price.

 

Discount code for MATs will be also available on the website for both the 1 year and lifetime.

 

The one year will always stay £249 (unless I have to start introducing VAT in year 2 onwards)...

How do we go about paying for this? We'll most likley go for the lifetime license so would like to get the discounted price. Do/will you take purchase orders?

[ass17]

How do we go about paying for this? We'll most likley go for the lifetime license so would like to get the discounted price. Do/will you take purchase orders?

 

At the moment it’s only geared up for card payments, and to be honest is my preferred way. The whole purchase order I’ve never done so I’m unfamiliar with the whole process, but ultimately if it’s a case that you send me a purchase order via email with your PO number then I assume I just invoice you and you pay by card or bank transfer anyway?

 

All the details will be available in the website on August 1st.

[emoji1303]

[LukeRowberry]

The one year will always stay £249 (unless I have to start introducing VAT in year 2 onwards)...

It might be worth you registering for VAT anyway. If you join the flat rate scheme you'll probably have a rate of about 14-15% so there'll be an extra 5% in it for you.

[ass17]

It might be worth you registering for VAT anyway. If you join the flat rate scheme you'll probably have a rate of about 14-15% so there'll be an extra 5% in it for you.

 

Its at no cost to schools I assume because they claim the VAT back anyway I assume?

 

I’m just waiting on my accountant to get back to me as I’ve on just managed to secure one that will do all my money stuff at a reasonable price.

 

Will certainly pass this on, much appreciated.

[Steve21]

At the moment it’s only geared up for card payments, and to be honest is my preferred way. The whole purchase order I’ve never done so I’m unfamiliar with the whole process, but ultimately if it’s a case that you send me a purchase order via email with your PO number then I assume I just invoice you and you pay by card or bank transfer anyway?

 

All the details will be available in the website on August 1st.

[emoji1303]

 

Just my two cents, but that'd make it instantly unavailable for our Trust. We can't spend that much on cards and even if we could have the limits on cards increased to cover it, I doubt they'd authorise that for a new time purchase/company compared to repeat business etc.

 

Just worth thinking about regarding POs

 

Steve

[ass17]

Just my two cents, but that'd make it instantly unavailable for our Trust. We can't spend that much on cards and even if we could have the limits on cards increased to cover it, I doubt they'd authorise that for a new time purchase/company compared to repeat business etc.

 

Just worth thinking about regarding POs

 

Steve

 

Hi Steve,

 

Well if you sent over a PO number and details, I can create an invoice that they could then bank transfer as payment, if that’s a better alternative?

[michaeljbrewis97]

Yeah I think the lack of PO support will be a sticking point for a lot of schools / trusts. Bank Transfers arent really an option for most schools. Schools can get the VAT back but it does put schools off. This announcement is a shame, especially being announced after the budgets for the next academic year have already been finalised.

[ass17]

Yeah I think the lack of PO support will be a sticking point for a lot of schools / trusts. Bank Transfers arent really an option for most schools. Schools can get the VAT back but it does put schools off. This announcement is a shame, especially being announced after the budgets for the next academic year have already been finalised.

 

I appreciate timing isn’t great it’s not a massive amount to pay per year.

I will be offering Purchase orders, and people can send them in now, they will just have to fill in the website form and wait for the invoice to arrive.

If they want to get them in now they can send it through to [email protected]

[michaeljbrewis97]

Its still money that wasnt budgeted for - not very good market research.

[ass17]

Its still money that wasnt budgeted for - not very good market research.

 

No I agree, only so much one man can do whilst holding a full time job and other hobbies :-)

[msi_school]

Its still money that wasnt budgeted for - not very good market research.

 

To be fair @ass17 has apologised for the timing and obviously is more experience in programming than running a software business. However they have provided a free product for as long as I can remember and are already making changes to accommodate the customers requests.

[Ironside]

So just to be clear, personal advice, speaking as a IT tech with no real business knowledge:

 

It's going to be difficult for schools to throw £1300 at software from someone who is inexperienced at the business side of things and hasn't worked out VAT or POs yet. I totally understand and support wanting to transition towards making money from ExamWritePad and I wish you the absolute best of luck on this venture, but I would suggest getting every element of the business planned and worked out before setting a deadline for early bird pricing - otherwise you risk alienating customers who might be very interested in a perpetual license for unlimited users/devices.

[ass17]

So just to be clear, personal advice, speaking as a IT tech with no real business knowledge:

 

It's going to be difficult for schools to throw £1300 at software from someone who is inexperienced at the business side of things and hasn't worked out VAT or POs yet. I totally understand and support wanting to transition towards making money from ExamWritePad and I wish you the absolute best of luck on this venture, but I would suggest getting every element of the business planned and worked out before setting a deadline for early bird pricing - otherwise you risk alienating customers who might be very interested in a perpetual license for unlimited users/devices.

 

Again it totally agree I’m an IT guy not a business man but we all have to start somewhere. I have an accountant who is dealing with stuff that side, VAT is not being charged yet because I’m not expected to hit the £85,000 mark. The lifetime license, I don’t expect many to take this up given the price because it makes no business sense, a steady stream income from yearly subscriptions is the aim and at a such low price.

 

I’m learning all this very quickly, I do wish it was planned better but we will see how we go.

 

Rest assured, the main goal is you will still get to use EWP as easily as you do now and nothing will change on that point.

 

I’m great full for all the comments on here, good or bad or constructive. I just want to continue to provide the best product possible for you all to enjoy!

 

I’m may not be 100% geared up for this venture but one thing I can guarantee is that I will try my best to fulfil all even under the time constraints of my own life. If you have ever asked for support you know I’ve always tried to answer within the hour it arrives.

 

[emoji1303]

Edited July 7, 2023 by ass17

[Rob_D]

The lifetime license, I don’t expect many to take this up given the price because it makes no business sense, a steady stream income from yearly subscriptions is the aim and at a such low price.

Really? Maybe at full price, but it's only 5-6 years payback with the early-bird pricing assuming the yearly price doesn't go up at some point over the next 6 years. Given we've been using this software since 2016/17 it's not an unreasonable sell.

[ass17]

Really? Maybe at full price, but it's only 5-6 years payback with the early-bird pricing assuming the yearly price doesn't go up at some point over the next 6 years. Given we've been using this software since 2016/17 it's not an unreasonable sell.

 

True, the pricing was more an incentive to the first 100 customers, or finishes end of August, which ever come first, to get on board before going back up to £2999.

[Driftingashore]

Is there any chance of SEND pricing, or is the price the price no matter what? We’re a small school with 10-20 students taking exams per year, so the exams officer balked at £250 and said we could keep using the free version.. I want to argue we should be paying and not having students use unsupported software but hoping some pricing flexibility would help.. tbh when I told everyone I thought they’d bite your hand off and expected them to just agree to pay, but I guess it’s a big psychological break from being free