Monday, May 6, 2013

Is this really good news?

They will do anything to stop software  pirating but this seems like a bit much.

Adobe reveals  a subscription-only future for Photoshop and Creative Suite

May 6, 2013 at 18:28:56 GMT
SOFTWARE NEWS ADOBE CREATIVE-CLOUD PHOTOSHOP
Adobe has announced that  it will no longer be developing its Creative Suite range of software, leaving its subscription and cloud-based Creative Cloud as the only way of using the latest version of Photoshop.  Are they kidding? Adobe has been trying to encourage users away from the traditional one-off payment licenses and on to a monthly payment model, with features such as online storage and syncing between devices. This latest move totally changes the paradigm by making it the only option for future versions of the software. They really can keep it if this is what they will end up with. If they charged less, there would be no piracy. When a program costs more than a computer the situation changes.
Adobe is clearly concerned about alienating existing users and has set the pricing of its Creative Cloud products at a similar level to its existing software. The cost of licensing just Photoshop CC over 18 months (the typical life-span of a version of Photoshop), is similar to the existing version-to-version upgrade prices, if you commit to a 24-month contract. Paying to use Photoshop CC on an ad-hoc, on/off basis will cost more (though opening the option of only paying for the software when you need it).
Adobe says it will continue to support CS6 but will not be replacing it. This allows it to focus its efforts on a single line of products, rather than trying to support both, in tandem. It also says it will allow the addition of processor-intensive features, such as Camera Shake Reduction tool, where the work can be conducted in the cloud.
To sweeten the deal, Adobe  has a discounted rates for current owners of Creative Suite (including previous versions), valid until August 2013. The move will not affect Lightroom customers, who will continue to be able to purchase 'perpetual' licenses. Great news!
However, while the move clearly makes sense for a company whose software has always been so widely pirated, such a dramatic move will undoubtedly be unsettling for many people who have always thought of software as a one-off purchase. I am upset, I really am. can some of you comment on this. The future looks bleak to me.
Adobe has published an open letter to its users and says it wants to start a dialogue with its user-base over the changes.
Go to their site to read what they have to say.

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