<p>It appears that Adobe is going to the "Software as a Service" (Saas) model. There are benefits for both the Company and the Consumer with this model (as well as costs).<br>
Company benefits: (1) Normalized revenue stream - if you upgrade like I do, there are a number of years between payments; (2) easier update of software including faster correction of bugs - the company can update the software "on the fly" if you will; (3) Instill / Build loyalty of the product - people paying subscriptions tend to be loyal users (at least that is what I think); (4) Easier to introduce the product to people because the cost is generally cheaper on the front end - instead of paying 200-300 dollars right now, I can pay $20 a month.;(5) Ability to limit piracy of software - hard to copy if need an account to run.<br>
Consumer benefits: (1) Constant improvements and updates - if you upgrade all the time, you get the updates immediately (and the cost generally breaks even); (2) without the hassle of an install - not everyone is a geek like me. Upgrading can be a pain. If the Company can do it for me - a little at a time - the ease is worth it.<br>
The cost to the Company are not as obvious, but I would suggest Public Relations is the biggest. Long time users want to have a perpetual license they can install anytime they want. Features in the current version suddenly disappear because of an update (seen that happen a lot). New problems occur because the code wasn't quite right when it was released. Competitive pricing is another - the per month rate can't be too high because the competition can be intense and people have a price point.<br /><br /><br>
The costs to the consumer are easier for me to see (being the consumer) - (1) Cost - I may be able to save enough to buy the next upgrade, but my monthly budget doesn't allow me to do a subscription or I think the monthly cost is too high for the service (which is why I don't have cable tv); (2) Updates can be a pain - I personally like to do them myself; (3) I have to allow the company into my machine on a regular basis. As a CFE and a programming "nut", I have a hard time doing that. Even if the company is trustworthy, an entry point for them is an entry point for someone else.<br /><br />I could go on about some of the legal ramifications as well - such as storing personal information on a computer you don't own, but that probably doesn't apply here.<br>
There are a number of options available - I personally use GIMP to process my photos. It is open source, runs on Windows (and Linux). I use UFRaw to processes the NEF files. It is also open source. So the real issue is do you stay with Adobe or move to something else?<br /><br /></p>
Adobe Changing Course? Sort of....
in The Digital Darkroom: Process, Technique & Printing
Posted
<p>It appears that Adobe is going to the "Software as a Service" (Saas) model. There are benefits for both the Company and the Consumer with this model (as well as costs).<br>
Company benefits: (1) Normalized revenue stream - if you upgrade like I do, there are a number of years between payments; (2) easier update of software including faster correction of bugs - the company can update the software "on the fly" if you will; (3) Instill / Build loyalty of the product - people paying subscriptions tend to be loyal users (at least that is what I think); (4) Easier to introduce the product to people because the cost is generally cheaper on the front end - instead of paying 200-300 dollars right now, I can pay $20 a month.;(5) Ability to limit piracy of software - hard to copy if need an account to run.<br>
Consumer benefits: (1) Constant improvements and updates - if you upgrade all the time, you get the updates immediately (and the cost generally breaks even); (2) without the hassle of an install - not everyone is a geek like me. Upgrading can be a pain. If the Company can do it for me - a little at a time - the ease is worth it.<br>
The cost to the Company are not as obvious, but I would suggest Public Relations is the biggest. Long time users want to have a perpetual license they can install anytime they want. Features in the current version suddenly disappear because of an update (seen that happen a lot). New problems occur because the code wasn't quite right when it was released. Competitive pricing is another - the per month rate can't be too high because the competition can be intense and people have a price point.<br /><br /><br>
The costs to the consumer are easier for me to see (being the consumer) - (1) Cost - I may be able to save enough to buy the next upgrade, but my monthly budget doesn't allow me to do a subscription or I think the monthly cost is too high for the service (which is why I don't have cable tv); (2) Updates can be a pain - I personally like to do them myself; (3) I have to allow the company into my machine on a regular basis. As a CFE and a programming "nut", I have a hard time doing that. Even if the company is trustworthy, an entry point for them is an entry point for someone else.<br /><br />I could go on about some of the legal ramifications as well - such as storing personal information on a computer you don't own, but that probably doesn't apply here.<br>
There are a number of options available - I personally use GIMP to process my photos. It is open source, runs on Windows (and Linux). I use UFRaw to processes the NEF files. It is also open source. So the real issue is do you stay with Adobe or move to something else?<br /><br /></p>