I too was not happy with a Magna hoop, and have ended up with just the sticky on the back. In fact a friend advised me to use the hoop basting and that works much better than anything but I still add a dab of sticky to hold it in place while it stitches around.
I could not get my machine to use the ribbon or any of the side holes. I think that is me though that doesn't know how. I bought the software, thinking that it would help. I can make the software work and lay in the patterns in the correct holes but cannot make it transfer to the sewing machine as programmed, when it transfers the pattern it transfers the pattern from the side to the centre even though it has been programmed for the side.
The software came with almost no information, but was user friendly in everything BUT how to transfer the hoop information to the sewing machine. The Magna hoop was quite user friendly but again, no hints on how to program your machine for those little side openings for ribbons and belts. I have written to the manufacturer (software) but to date have heard nothing back from them. I plan on going to my very helpful Bernina dealer to see if there is a way to make it stay on the side once programmed.
I didn't buy the hoop from Anne but did buy the software. It may be that I am not aware of all the things my machine can do and how to do them. For those of you that use the hoop and like it, the software looks as if it could be useful if you know how to transfer it correctly.