:o :-/ :X

I still use the free desktop version of Celtx, because it's all I can afford. I can't afford anything that isn't free, lol.

I have a script I've been writing off and on that I intend to be a later film in my career. Anyway, I open it up today to work on it some more, and I see that (after putting in a good deal of work), that...

the version saved to my computer is a previous version. Gone are everything I had added subsequently, and a file listing all the songs I want to use and their licensing info. (This is a 90s nostalgia movie a la American Graffiti or Dazed and Confused, so the soundtrack is important.) The whole entire song list is gone, and I have to start all over again!

Is this normal? Has this ever happened to any other Celtx desktop users? I'm starting to get scared/paranoid. I can't afford to lose my work.

It shouldn't happen if the file is saved to your desktop. If it is saved to the cloud that Celtx uses and therefore their own servers, then yes it can... and it's Celtx's fault. I don't use their on line service, I use the desktop version.

If it is the desktop version you're using, then the file may have been saved elsewhere accidentally. Look for other folders the file may have been saved into by mistake.

I stopped using Celtx altogether when I lost a lot of work done via the Desktop version, I tried their support BUT they don't actually offer the desktop anymore, it's obsolete... so they couldn't/wouldn't help.

This is from their support pages...

... if you have it installed on your computer, we'd like to ask you to stop using it. Due to the fact that it's now an old software operating on new systems, we're looking at scenarios that will likely involve data loss if you continue to use it.


I hope what CJ/Dustin suggests works for you, but I suggest you move from the desktop version.

Anthony

Works no problem for me... there have been slight glitches on the odd occasion of a file being almost saved in the wrong place. In fact, I think I may have saved the file in the wrong folder a couple of times.

I use Linux so am safe from the horror show that is the Windows OS. If you're a Windows user, I highly suggest you do as Anthony says. Even older versions of Windows have constant updates that can and do cause compatability issues with your software.

It is almost impossible to answer without knowing the details of your computing environment and where you save your files too (e.g., hard drive, cloud, etc).

Celtx does have a feature to allow you to look at scripts at different points of history. The link is here.

https://support.celtx.com/hc/en-us/articles/204940844-Script-History-and-Restore

Open a prior version and see if that one has some or most of the changes you made.

If you use Windows Back Up - there is a version control feature that allows you to retrieve prior versions of a file.  You can tell if you have this feature by right clicking on the file name in, click on properties and click on "previous versions". If you use Windows Back up previous versions will be there. If oyu don't hey won't. Again - this may help it retrieving a file that is a day old that still contains most of your changes,

Doesn't help your current situation - but always save your files to at least two locations (e.g., hard drive and USB, etc.) everytime you make changes. Whether it is CELTX or a hard drive failure of a number of other issues you are always at risk of losing data without proper back up.

I've never had this issue yet, but then again I always save my work twice. My biggest issue with celtx is sometimes when I'm typing the program will highlight a good chunk of what I've done so far and delete it, as if I held down the left button on my mouse, scrolled over my work and hit backspace....very annoying, but a simple click of "undo" wil get the work back.....well most of the time.

My problem is going from desktop to Android app sometimes. They are very reluctant to update their app.

This is pretty much my worst nightmare. I have my scripts saved in 5 different places, literally.

I think the online version is still fine CJ, it's just the desktop one they've stopped developing/supporting...

In all fairness to Celtx it's perfectly normal for software companies to do this. I'm pretty sure that Windows no longer offer support for XP, for example. It's the same with Linux. Older distros just become unsupportable as things move on.

Celtx want everything on their own servers. I don't like that idea. If my Desktop Celtx stopped working tomorrow, I'd use Trelby.

I just mass-printed my scripts and WIPs in Celtx, and then downloaded Trelby. I took it for a little test drive, a little one-pager where nothing really happens; just a test to see if this baby works.

The title defaulting to bold 24pt Helvetica is something I'm gonna have to pay attention to; I changed it to 12pt Courier as it should be.

And luckily, I don't have any of those bold slugs I've been seeing in a few OWC scripts. And since it can import Celtx files anyway, I don't have to start over from scratch. And that music list, I can simply write in Word anyway; no biggie.

Thanks everybody for all your help.

Glad you found a path out,

PS - I am a fan of bold slugs. Different strokes

Just a quick update...

Another one of my scripts got the ax -- a slasher, appropriately enough.  :P

I hadn't worked on it since The Great Celtx Purge of 2016 and decided to import it into Trelby. It was SEVERAL revisions behind, much like my 90s nostalgia script was.

I took out what I had printed during The GCP16 and used it to restore the script to that revision, and now I'm free to continue. Up and running again.

A perfect reminder to drop Celtx desktop, and to back up your work often. So glad I had an analog hard copy to work from.

So sorry for your loss. I lost a script on Celtx also last year but that was due to a crashed laptop. Lost everything. Morale of the story. Back up your work and back it up often.


Dumb question then if Celtx (free) is on its way out. is there another alternative out there? That's free?

Writers Duet have a free edition... or Fade In is $50 and is great!

Anthony

I will remain a Final Draft fan

Fina Draft is anything but free though!

true - but in my view worth it

Been using Celtx for 4 yrs now. Desktop was good (although recently they stripped the save restore from the cheaper plan. Oh yeah, you can see past script versions from save points, but cannot restore to it unless you pay more money.) Sly folks over there.

Used to using it. Want to leave, but the others don't support Android. Celtx barely updates its Droid app, but at least has one.

Anyone else know of a platform that gives me all that celtx gives with better support?

Good comparison here - http://www.fadeinpro.com/page.pl?content=comparison

Final Draft for me too - I still use my old version. Have no idea what the reincarnations offer.

Trelby.org is still out there I do believe, for those who don't want to pay. I have no idea how good it is.

Ha, just noticed I've made the Top Members (posting) list on SS.  ;D Yes, small things do amuse me at the moment. I'll take what I can get.

Quoted from LC Final Draft for me too - I still use my old version. Have no idea what the reincarnations offer. Trelby.org is still out there I do believe, for those who don't want to pay. I have no idea how good it is. Ha, just noticed I've made the Top Members (posting) list on SS.  ;D Yes, small things do amuse me at the moment. I'll take what I can get.

Congratulations! You are now in the pantheon. As an ominous note - this post moves me one post closer to overtaking you.....Crap - if you respond to this post that puts me one post back. Damn! Will the madness never end???? ----- Nice to see your name on the list :)  

;D Ah, Dave, you're often cracking me up.

And, I did post again! Oh dear, sorry I pipped you at the post.  Put a good effort into the OWC you never know what might happen. Oh, no. I just looked. You're way behind.  ;)

I am currently working on a 1000 post spam program - it will auto say "nice job" on every script on the site:

(Dave twirls the ends of his evil mustache and lets out a sinister laugh as he continues to code his program)

Quoted from eldave1 I am currently working on a 1000 post spam program - it will auto say "nice job" on every script on the site: (Dave twirls the ends of his evil mustache and lets out a sinister laugh as he continues to code his program)

;D

I need to get my arse in gear before Dave overtakes me... though if he shoots up a 1000 in a week I'll be calling foul ;-)