What should not be surprising in this day and age is that cross stitch and knitting, like many other hobbies, have dedicated software programs. These programs are usually on the design end, but may also include those that provide progress tracking or databasing of “stash.”

I mention this because I have owned several over the years including programs that support knitting – both design and tracking as well as programs for machine embroidery and cross stitch. It is this last that started today’s day of “I really don’t believe it.” I will also say that in general, I have gotten excellent support from various program companies,

Not so – apparently – with PCStitch. I do have a small WIN based laptop which was purchased after I completely gave up on playing any kind of games on my MAC. The iOS updates rendered all the previous games useless. Most of  the game sites make their money off selling new games and almost never update old ones. I am not looking for fancy, rather Match-3, card games, and the occasional puzzle/hidden object.

All of that is background to the following: since I had the PC, why not get the software that would let me skin some of the hard copy cross stitch patterns so that I can more easily stitch them with tablet based tracking software. It seemed like a good idea anyway. The MAC design software I have, while great on many things, doesn’t make this task very easy.

So I downloaded the software a couple of weeks ago and played with it. The cost was more than reasonable, so went back today and purchased it. I was sent a registration key. It didn’t work. Not once or twice, but it bounced three times.  I emailed the folks. The answer I got was “check the version number” which I did. And checked the update key – current version.

So, after talking to Jill in Australia tonight – I once again downloaded the software. It is now version 11. It opened without problems, but I couldn’t find anywhere to enter the registration key. Jill checked hers. It was registered, but not to her. I checked my copy, it also came up as registered, but to someone I had never heard of, and not the same person as Jill

Then I received an answer: You own version 11 and can download it from our website. This is not an answer. I actually prefer the interface from version 10 and I really would prefer it if my software was registered to me. I am waiting to see what I get for a new answer. Meanwhile – I will learn how to use both Version 10 and Version 11. New is not always better…