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Dean Harte

10 Years Ago

Adobe Ps Goes Subscription

LOS ANGELES — May 6, 2013 — At Adobe MAX, The Creativity Conference, Adobe (Nasdaq:ADBE) today accelerated its shift to the cloud with a major update to Adobe® Creative Cloud™, the company’s flagship offering for creatives. Today’s update to Creative Cloud is packed with features, reimagining the creative process through a new set of “CC” desktop applications and enhanced cross-device collaboration and publishing capabilities (see separate press release). With this update, creative files can be stored, synced and shared, via Creative Cloud, on Mac OS, Windows, iOS and Android; and Behance, the world’s leading online creative community, is integrated with Creative Cloud, so customers can showcase work, get feedback on projects and gain global exposure.

Creative Cloud’s advanced capabilities are making it a hit with the worldwide creative community: more than a half million paid members, and well over 2 million total members have signed up for Creative Cloud since it was launched in April 2012.

Adobe also announced that the company will focus creative software development efforts on its Creative Cloud offering moving forward. While Adobe Creative Suite® 6 products will continue to be supported and available for purchase, the company has no plans for future releases of Creative Suite or other CS products. Focusing development on Creative Cloud will not only accelerate the rate at which Adobe can innovate but also broaden the type of innovation the company can offer the creative community.

“We launched Creative Cloud a year ago and it has been a runaway success,” said David Wadhwani, senior vice president and general manager, Digital Media, Adobe. “By focusing our energy -- and our talented engineers -- on Creative Cloud, we’re able to put innovation in our members’ hands at a much faster pace.”

On top of new collaboration and publishing services and the integration of Behance, today’s announced update to Creative Cloud includes stunning versions of Adobe’s next generation of desktop applications -- including Adobe Photoshop® CC, InDesign® CC, Illustrator® CC, Dreamweaver® CC and Premiere® Pro CC. Adobe’s desktop tools, previously known as Creative Suite (CS), are now branded CC to reflect that they are an integral part of Creative Cloud and have been reinvented to support a more intuitive, connected way of creating.

Adobe is facilitating the transition to Creative Cloud with attractive pricing plans and promotions for individual members, teams and enterprise customers. For more details, visit: https://creative.adobe.com/plans. Adobe will continue to sell licenses for all CS6 products via electronic download from adobe.com and participating resellers.

About Creative Cloud

Adobe Creative Cloud is a membership-based service that provides users with access to download and install Adobe creative desktop applications; game developer tools and integration with the Adobe Touch Apps. With Creative Cloud membership, users also have access to: a vibrant global creative community; publishing services to deliver apps and websites; cloud storage and the ability to sync to virtually any device; and new products and exclusive updates as they’re developed.

//////////////////////////////////////////////

Looks like newer incarnations of Adobe Photoshop will only be available as subscription-only in the future. Lots of people do not seem happy. I was just about to buy Lightroom 5 when it is released but am now on the fence. Anyone planning on switching to another program because of this?

Heated debate on DP Preview as to the pros and cons. Most people do not like the idea of having to pay each month for access to PS.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/2013/05/06/Adobe-kills-perpetual-licenses-as-creative-suite-moves-to-creative-cloud-cc#comments

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J Larry Walker

10 Years Ago

Hmmmm... I call it "redistribution of wealth".

 

Dean Harte

10 Years Ago

No. Your Creative Cloud desktop applications (such as Photoshop and Illustrator) are installed directly on your computer, so you won't need an ongoing Internet connection to use them on a daily basis.

You will need to be online when you install and license your software. If you have an annual membership, you'll be asked to connect to the web to validate your software licenses every 30 days. However, you'll be able to use products for 3 months (99 days) even if you're offline.

From here:

http://www.adobe.com/products/creativecloud/faq.html

 

Nicholas Evans

10 Years Ago

Hmmmmmmm..... you just flipped the former software developer side of me on.

 

Dean Harte

10 Years Ago

From what I gather the software will periodically connect with the server to verify the account, but you do not need to be online per se to use it.

 

Nicholas Evans

10 Years Ago

From my understanding (what I was reading) is that it is a free download, but you need to subscribe (and pay) to use the program. Now, to use it during the subscription you must be logged in. I ad a chat with an Adobe rep today, I informed them that I am not always in location where there is internet (on the road, storms here in FL, or for other reasons) and I asked if I would be able to use it. They stated I DO NOT need to be connected to the net to use Photoshop CC. They also stated that I must be logged in to use it. Then I asked since I MUST be logged in to use it, how does it know if I am logged in if I can use it without internet... All I got was dead air. I am wondering how that works. I never did get an answer from them on that.

 

Nicholas Evans

10 Years Ago

Yuk!

 

Roy Erickson

10 Years Ago

IF you haven't already bought into the $900 or so to buy the PS, and could start with a yearly subscription and get the works for let's say $100 a year - and you get all the updates automatically - THAT would be good - but if you have to buy the software AND add on the subscription - like you do a cell phone - that's going to hurt.

 

Roy Erickson

10 Years Ago

Wingsdomain - don't bet your bank account that XP is going anywhere. Several sources I read on the internet and a couple of local computer guys that deal with business's say that there are just too many that have their whole computer set up still in XP - which is why Windows 7 Pro let's you continue to use XP programs, and why even on the internet W 8 is not quite a flop - but is being ignored by many. Personally W8, which I have on my new lap top isn't used at all - no reason to use it except as the platform to use the internet - but all that "crap" on the window goes away when I push the desk top - and there are the things that I do use - my email, my mozilla, etc. etc.

 

Deborah Verhoeven

10 Years Ago

Well, my conclusion is that if you don't get on board with the CC thing, you will just have to live the rest of your life with whatever version of Photoshop that you have. The good news is that as far as print-ready images go, Photoshop hasn't really improved in about 15 years--they've just added fluff. I learned on Photoshop 5 (the old one, not CS5) and it had all the basic functions. In fact, I learned that in a computer graphics class when Photoshop 7 was already on the market, and the instructor insisted that we didn't need all the extra toys that that version offered.

I predict that ALL Adobe products will be subscription-only. Even the humble ones like Photoshop Express will probably cost $10 per month or maybe have an annual fee of $50.

BTW, I have the little app on my iPad for cropping pictures, and I've noticed that beyond basic editing, they make you pay for extra functions there too. I think Adobe are just getting a little too greedy.

 

Dean Harte

10 Years Ago

http://www.dpreview.com/news/2013/05/08/Adobe-photoshop-cc

Adobes reaction.


What assurances can our readers have that Lightroom will not become a subscription-only option?

[Bryan O'Neil Hughes] Lightroom is for photographers. And the Lightroom team is very aware of the reaction by photographers to Photoshop CC. We don't have plans to make Lightroom a subscription-only option but we do envision added functionality for the CC version of Lightroom.


hmmmm - support for new cameras only subscription based I guess.

 

Dean Harte

10 Years Ago

Well I've only recently started to use Lightroom and through a string of release candidates have not needed to purchase the product. I wanted to though but one problem I have is that I shoot with a Fuji XE-1 which (of course) has its own RAW file type which is not yet optimally handled by all converters. I will wait for the final version of LR5 and see if Adobe says anything more about LR also becoming subscription based. Otherwise I will have to start looking for another editing solution. Conversion to tiff and then Nik products, Corel (if they support the file type) or even Capture One (which I think is $300).

I guess Adobe is banking on corporate customers like schools and such to just pony up the dough, and I can see that for them the deal isn't really that bad. These customers can probably save time and money in terms of maintenance. For small-time users, hobbyist and casual photographers and anyone else who doesn't really need the latest version and a whole set of bells and whistles, the subscription sounds like a far more expensive option.

Most of the comments I have read on various blogs and forums about this are far from positive and many have said they will no longer upgrade to or purchase Adobe products. Whether Adobe manages to offset the loss of these clients by more optimally capitalizing on corporate customers or not, that's the real question here I guess.

 

Most of the design shops I know, especially the big boys like HOK,SOM,Gensler that use Autodesk products also use Adobe CS products as a religion. It's a drop in the bucket for these outfits to go to CC and what these big boys see from this change is that they can now get all the latest toys offered by Adobe. Once the big boys go, if they haven't gone already, so goes the battle. If you want to play with the big boys, you have to pay like the big boys. File format compatibility is 9/10th the battle. If you are a medium size firm and want to team up with the bigger firms, you either get with the program and be compatible or you lose the contract to the next guy who will pay to play in our collaborative cloud-centric modern world. The shift all trickles down to the moms and pops and then the individuals. And how, do you ask, does this affect me who don't answer to anyone and don't have to play with the big boys? Well you see, support is a bitch. CS6 will slowly go the way of dinosaurs like windows 2000, and even dare I say windows xp. No tech company wants to spend good money to support a dinosaur that loses user-base every moment of every day of every week of every month of every year. If I call any IT support for a problem with my windows 2000/xp computer, their only reaction is to force me to upgrade to windows 8. TIFWIW.

Adobe stock has more than doubled since the initial CC introduction in April 2012. My money's on Adobe, I'll be watching their stock performance and when they take a slight dip, it will be a buying opportunity and I will be all over it. The only thing that can come of being in the way of progress is that you will either be left behind or be runned over by it.


-W

 

Loretta Luglio

10 Years Ago

I use several of the Adobe suite. InDesign for brochures, newsletter and print materials, Illustrator - artwork, Dreamweaver for web and of course Photoshop. Flash is used to a lesser degree nowadays. I need all these tools it may be worth it for me and I like the auto updates. Need to really look in to this.

 

Loree Johnson

10 Years Ago

It would appear that Adobe doesn't give a rip about the lowly freelance photographer. They are putting all their eggs in the corporate basket. Sure, they signed up a bunch of people with their "limited time" promotional subscription, and that helps their bottom line. But, when they start jacking up the monthly amount, and people start dropping them...

 

Louise Reeves

10 Years Ago

Another good Q &A from Scott Kelby: http://scottkelby.com/

I'm on the fence. I use Photoshop a lot but more because it supports my Topaz software, which is incapable currently of running solo.
A major downside of this App is that if times are rough and you miss a payment, your log-in might be frozen until you settle up and that would wreak havoc on a work stream.
I foresee a lot of hackers coming up with ways to sidestep the log-in features so they can keep the program going for free.
I also see the prices slowly increasing, not unlike cable and satellite tv providers do.
If you don't foresee any bad times ahead, this could actually save you money in the long run. Even the educational version of PS CS6 is $300, which monthly works out to $25 a month, or $60 more than if you subscribed to the full CC version of Photoshop. Plus, since you would have a log-in to activate the software, conceivably any computer with the initial download becomes useable instantly. That's great if you are on the road.
The only thing I haven't seen yet is how much space does it take up compared to disk-based software and its compatibilities with plug-ins.

 

Dan Carmichael

10 Years Ago

Exactly, Roseann. My first thought, too, when I read the comparison.

Autodesk is HIGHLY specialized, and photoshop is generic and across-the-board from professional to beginning amateur. Apples and oranges. Not even comparable.

 

Roseann Caputo

10 Years Ago

Here's the thing, what is the clientele for Autodesk and Adobe?

Autodesk is more special effects, industrial, 3d - how many photographers are using it? Artists might use Sketchbook Pro but if you look at the prices for Autodesk, most people can't afford their products. It's usually graphic or special effects houses that use them. Plus Autodesk still offers the choice if you wish to buy or have a subscription. They have very high end products that the average user will never consider. Photoshop and Lightroom alone are likely more used than Autodesk products, but that's just a guess.

 

Dan Carmichael

10 Years Ago

Be my guest. I predict the stock will fall. I'm choosing corel, if it's public.

 

Autodesk, makers of software like Autocad (CAD), Revit (BIM), 3d studio (3dmodelling), etc. for the design industry did the same thing about 5 years ago (maybe more). At the time, same outcry, same sentiments. Today, they are stronger than ever. Go figure. I think I read somewhere that Adobe started this subscription program around April of 2012, at the time, their stock tanked. Today, their stock has more than doubled since that initial date and has risen about 25% since January this year. Instead of worrying about the inevitable, I'm buying stocks in Adobe which will ultimately pay for the subscription and fund my retirement.


-W

 

Penny Hunt

10 Years Ago

@ Dan, this is sure good news.. I love PS.

I wanted to correct my pdflite reference in my earlier post, the program is pdf writer lite. Very utilitarian but works for email from the 'cloud'.

 

Dan Carmichael

10 Years Ago

I belong to the largest and oldest photography forums on the net.

I spent time in the forums, and the response to Adobe's announcement is extreme.

Easily, 90 to 95% are unsupportive and say they will not subscribe.

The general gist everywhere seems to be:

- Adobe greed
- Biggest mistake Adobe ever made
- Will not stop piracy, will, in fact, increase it
- Will be dropping Photoshop as things unfold and migrate to other apps

I'm not really sure this will be fully implemented. Like Facebook/Instagram and Microsoft/Windows 8, I would not be surprised to see Adobe backpeddling on this due to the outcry.

 

Penny Hunt

10 Years Ago

@ Dan, as far as the disabling, I have a really old PS I bought locally for something like 50.00 after it was discontinued. I installed it here at work on Windows 7. I can not choose that program to open a pdf document sent as an attachment from the 'cloud' with our larger customers or vendors. I could only use reader, then copy for forward a copy, not save to my computer., unless I click a link and go online to sign in to my account or pay a one-time fee. So I print, scan, edit and save or re-attach or whatever.

In the meantime if I am using a Windows email program it will not recognize my old version of photoshop for attachments, effectively disabling it. I got an error message (if I go to the MS website the error message is saying I had an unregistered copy...) so in a pinch I use another email program (Mozilla) I have not dumped yet to open, remame and then edit with my old photoshop.

I think the software people think everyone has piles of money.....

I did download pdflite recently (free), that has helped with 99% of my cloud issues at work.


 

Roy Erickson

10 Years Ago

Serif has PhotoPlus6 out - I haven't checked the price cause I'm still using 2 and it works fine for me.

 

Dan Carmichael

10 Years Ago

(Good find, David)

Here's the answer to those who still use CS2, 3, 4 and so forth.

"Q. So what happens if I can’t pay my subscription one month?
A. The same thing that happens if you can’t make your car payment. Two big burly guys come to your house in the middle of the night and take back your copy of Photoshop.

Q. Really?!
A. Well, they don’t come to your house per se (they do it digitally), but why chance it?"

So you will not be allowed to continue using an older version of photoshop, even if that is all you need. Once subscribed, you will be forced (in essence) to pay an upgrade fee every month or your software will be disabled.

Time to migrate away from Adobe.

 

Dave Bowman

10 Years Ago

More info, for those who have an interest:

http://scottkelby.com/2013/my-take-on-adobes-announcements-yesterday-at-the-max-conference/

Answers my earlier query on what happens if you don't have a permanent net connection... although still begs the question what happens if it tries to check subscription and can't connect to the Adobe servers (disables the s/w until it can, rendering it unusable for the interim?)

 

Wendy J St Christopher

10 Years Ago

I already use PSP. I'm a total software junkie! :-)

 

Jeffrey Kolker

10 Years Ago

I think it verifies your sub once a month. All of those here posting would probably have enough access for that....

 

Dan Carmichael

10 Years Ago

Corel Paint Shop Pro on sale now - $69.99 - 38% off. Includes free bonuses like Nik ColorEfex filters.

Might as well start the learning curve now so when the time comes to boot Adobe to the curb, you do not struggle.

http://www.corel.com/corel/product/index.jsp?pid=prod4900069

 

Dave Bowman

10 Years Ago

I've been paying for and using Adobe products for longer than I care to remember. They make good products. I'm firmly against this CC model though - renting and never owning - and won't hesitate in jumping ship when the time comes.

How this model will work for users who don't have ready access to a stable internet connection I'm not sure... Travel photographers, remote locations, etc.

To me, just as an effort to combat piracy (which it clearly is), I think it's a really dumb move on the part of Adobe.

 

Roseann Caputo

10 Years Ago

It all depends.

One of the reasons I didn't upgrade to Win 8 was because I don't do anything touch screen and there were already reports that people who wanted to turn it off were still having problems. I started on Win 3. Went to 95 and 98. Didn't bother with ME or NT. Went to XP. Skipped Vista and beta tested 7, which I really like a lot. Will hold out going to 8 until I have to. By then it should be stable. I think part of the problem is that so many people don't have touch screens on their laptops or desktops and likely don't have a big need for it. They should have either kept the Mobile platform separate, or made it really easy to turn of the touch screen crap. I don't need it on my desktop.

With Adobe, a lot of graphic houses use it. All it will take is for one of them to be unable to access their on line software at any point in time and cost them a contract. Even if someone looses power, they might still be able to work on a USP, generator or laptop. If the software is only in the cloud and they can't connect to the net for any reason, they're screwed.

Let's hope Corel is smart enough to beef up their offerings.

 

MM Anderson

10 Years Ago

I've always used PSP since before Corel bought out JASC but I do use Adobe Illustrator CS5 for vectors. AI is pretty much the industry standard for those. I will keep using that software though and not invest in a monthly cloud subscription. I haven't even recouped my investment in AI CS5 yet.

 

Wendy J St Christopher

10 Years Ago

I don't think it will be bad for Adobe at all! Much of their clientele is corporate, and corporations usually budget for constant upgrades. This system will simplify their lives, considerably.

 

Jeffrey Kolker

10 Years Ago

I don't know..I've been considering it. Lets see, for $30 a months, I can get the Latest versions of Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator, Acrobat, Lightroom and web design software... If I had to buy all that stuff ($$$$)... then the upgrades. hmmm....

Actually, I see that if this works for Adobe, others will follow. Most companies want to create a steady cash flow, and this is one way to do it. Instead of waiting for upgrades, and having the money come in all at once, then having to wait for the next upgrade, they receive a continuous stream over time. I have this with many of my programming tools. Annual subscriptions...

Larger companies may like this as it makes it easier to budget. So much per seat, boom, your done.

I don't know how it will all work out... but it may not be as bad for Adobe as one might think...

 

Kim Henderson

10 Years Ago

Not sure I want it anymore.

It appears Lightroom won't be affected, I might just upgrade my version and work to improve my skills in LR

 

Wendy J St Christopher

10 Years Ago

"But for professionals who make their living using the software and have to upgrade regularly anyway, this is going to be cheaper for them. For amateurs, think GIMP."

I'm a full-time professional who makes most of my art income using Photoshop. But, I've long resisted Adobe's chronic stream of overpriced upgrades, and am still content to use PS3. My last upgrade before that was Photoshop v. 7 (not CS7).

As the buyer (whether pro or otherwise), it's my choice to buy or not to buy, upgrade or not to upgrade, when and as I see fit. Adobe can't force me to pay continual upgrade prices just by moving to the cloud, and it's insultingly presumptuous of them to think they can do so.

I'm a lifelong software geek, and can easily switch to any other program out there (I dabble in several). I prefer Photoshop but don't *need* it -- especially if I'm trying to make a point. So, I won't be writing any letters or signing any petitions; let Adobe do what they want.

They may be the biggest game in town, but they're not the only game in town.

 

A M Johnson

10 Years Ago

@Loree Johnson, Adobe Greedy Cloud hahahahahahaha!!!

 

Angelina Tamez

10 Years Ago

Kim...if you want it...buy it now before you can't anymore.

 

Loree Johnson

10 Years Ago

I agree that this is a boon to Adobe competitors. Especially for those of us who only use 1 or 2 Adobe products. Unless they come up with a "photographer cloud," where you can access only LR and PS at a much lower price, they will lose most of us.

@Roy--not everyone buys everything on credit. I own my car, I use a pay-as-you-go cell phone, don't have any credit card debt, and had my cable disconnected months ago. The only debt I currently have is my mortgage and I am currently in negotiations with Citi on a modification. If that doesn't work out, I will likely sell it. My plan is to live in my RV and travel the country making photos...

I will likely have to pay for internet access and I will be renting places to park my RV probably a month or two at a stretch. But, other than that, I won't be signing up for any long-term monthly payments--including Adobe Greedy Cloud.

 

A M Johnson

10 Years Ago

Ignoring the huge negative impact on users, this will make Adobe more money than they have ever seen. Right up until someone gets serious about a competitive product.

No more physical product deliveries, millions from orphan accounts, expired discounts that are billed at full price with no hope of a refuund, no more packaging and marketing departments, the two year profit will be incredible.

By year 3, when a competitor gains traction, Adobe will have to change, but they won't. Adobe will see shrinking profits.

 

Dan Carmichael

10 Years Ago

Back on subject is this:

Is this a huge mistake by Adobe? Do you think major corporations like Adobe carefully plan things and anticipate all reactions before implementing changes such as this?

No, they don't always get it right.

Here's an item in the news today. Seems Microsoft's careful plans failed and they shot themselves in the foot, too.

From the article:

"Microsoft is retooling the latest version of its Windows operating system to address complaints and confusion that have been blamed for deepening a slump in personal computer sales."

and

"With the makeover it released last October, Microsoft hoped to play a more prominent role in the growing mobile device market ... One leading research firm, International Data Corp., says Windows 8 contributed to a 14 percent decline in worldwide PC sales during the first three months of the year - the biggest year-over-year drop ever."

Facebook and Instagram, Microsoft and Windows 8. Even though large corporations try to carefully anticipate reactions, they often fail.

Adobe just joined the club.

The Microsoft article:
http://apnews.myway.com//article/20130507/DA64BT2G1.html

 

Chuck De La Rosa

10 Years Ago

Dan, did you use Bibble 5.x? That's what I was referring to. Until LR 3.x, Bibble was far better. Even then I wouldn't touch LR until 4.x came out.

 

Kim Henderson

10 Years Ago

I just read this yesterday, I came here hoping this was being discussed. I'm still at CS3 and was just thinking of upgrading soon, what to do...what to do?

 

Dan Carmichael

10 Years Ago

I wasn't referencing you, Chuck. Read the post from Penny Hunt above.

Edit: I'll have to disagree with you about Corel / Bibble. I used Bibble for years. Granted, I have not looked at it for years, but judging back to when I used it, I don't think it could ever contend with Lightroom. Bibble, at least then, had one of the worst RAW conversion engines ever invented on planet earth.

 

Chuck De La Rosa

10 Years Ago

@Dan, unless I'm missing something it'll run fine "offline". In other words its still a downloadable and installable app. Lots of photographers and digital artists work offline, "in the field" so to speak.

I didn't say that Adobe would disable anything. I said they have a right to do so. Read the licensing agreement that you accepted and agreed to when you installed the software. That is a legally binding contract. The software was not bought and paid for unconditionally. You have no such contract with Ford. Trust me on this, I work in IT and one of my many hats is to maintain the licensing of all of our software.

I have a completely different take on Corel. Corel bought Bibble Labs about 18 months ago. They took what could have been a strong rival to Lightroom and flushed it down the toilet. It hasn't been significantly updated in over a year and doesn't support any of the new camera RAW files. Ever wonder why Paint Shop Pro can't compete? Its because Corel has severe internal management issues. They just did another house cleaning recently. I can pretty much guarantee that Corel really doesn't have any strategy regarding Adobe moving to cloud only services. They really don't seem to have a clue on how to market the gems they've bought over the years. Corel is where good software goes to die.

 

Dan Carmichael

10 Years Ago


What I want to know is how it works. If you lose internet connectivity does the app just stop working or is there a safety backfall built in that would allow you to continue processing for a period?

 

Dan Carmichael

10 Years Ago

@Jeff
"Maybe Corel will really pump up their PSP. Now's their chance to strike...."

Exactly. What I said! I can guarantee that in the board rooms of Google, Corel, Microsoft, and other giants this is the topic of conversation and will be for some time.

Adobe has long been a desired target of many, and they just made the biggest strategic error they have ever made.

As to Adobe disabling existing installs as was mentioned above, I doubt that would happen. That software was bought and paid for. It would be like Ford Motor Company initiating a leasing fee with customers who have fully purchased a vehicle. Can you imagine the outcry?

I doubt Adobe would be stupid enough to do that.

Or are they...?

 

Chuck De La Rosa

10 Years Ago

I saw this yesterday on one of the tech news rags I read. My first reaction was, wow this sucks and how are they going to handle Lightroom (since that's all I really use)? I do have PS CS2 and have no need for anything newer so that's not an issue.

So I started to think about it and asked myself what is the big deal? Go buy PS CS6 today. $620 on Amazon. And that's the discount. PS CS6 as a stand alone subscription is $20 a month or $240 a year. It will be 31 months before you reach the cost you spent on the boxed version. Under the traditional model, if you upgrade in 3 years, add another $200 bringing your boxed cost to $820. In 3 years the subscription will cost you $720, or $100 less than paying for the boxed version. I realize that this is not optimal for hobbyists and serious amateurs. But for professionals who make their living using the software and have to upgrade regularly anyway, this is going to be cheaper for them. For amateurs, think GIMP.

BTW, for clarification's sake, you do not own any of the software on your computer. You license it. In effect what you paid is a one time rental fee. The owner (in this case Adobe) has the right to revoke your license and any time, for any reason. In other words they can cut off activation of your old software at any time.

 

Steven Ralser

10 Years Ago

Hopefully they won't go the same route with Lightroom. I very rarely go into PS now, but occasionally I do need to. PS5 will do me for the forseeable future.

 

Ginny Schmidt

10 Years Ago

I cut my teeth on Photoshop twenty years ago at work, and used it at home as well because I often took work home for the weekend. Can't afford it now so I got PSE-10 a couple years ago and find it works just fine for my needs. I remember talk way back when about renting software and it sounded like a good idea at the time IF, for instance, you had a special project or job to accomplish but you didn't have hundreds of dollars to buy the necessary software to accomplish it - then you could pay for a limited-time use of it for a lot less, finish your project, and Bob's yer uncle! As with many ideas that sounded OK at first, this seems to have become perverted into just another way get a hook into one's wallet. Either pay a fortune now to own a version of something that will be obsolete after a couple of upgrades, or pay through the nose on an ongoing basis for the privilege of using something rather than owning it. It still might work IF they did not take away the option for frequent users to own and letting occasional users rent on an as-needed basis.

 

Richard Rizzo

10 Years Ago

I don't rent, I'll keep my old version.

 

Lara Ellis

10 Years Ago

I use the elements program as I've never been able to afford the big dog Photoshop CS programs. I wonder if they will lump CS into that mess too?

 

Jeffrey Kolker

10 Years Ago

It would actually make sense if you were big Adobe user, where by using all their software, the net cost of upgrades and whatnot over time would exceed the $600 fee each year. 2 or 3 Adobe upgrades normally would exceed that price. The problem arises when you just want to use 1 or two products, or don't always upgrade. Which might be most of us here. Then it gets to be more expensive. I'm on the fence.... I use a few things, but not sure I use them enough to justify a subscription.

http://www.corel.com/corel/

Maybe Corel will really pump up their PSP. Now's their chance to strike....

 

Georgiana Romanovna

10 Years Ago

Penny, you can disable A*dobe from seeing anything without taking it offline. I, er, used to be a bit of a geek when younger - and know how to block most things. "Used" to is the word. I'm a good girl now :)

 

Roseann Caputo

10 Years Ago

I have CS4. I might and that's a big might, go to CS6 at some point in time.

I'm happy where I am with CS4. Will not go to the cloud version for the reason Dan stated, I don't rent my camera, won't be renting my software.

If Corel does get the business, they're going to have to retool their customer service. My only experiences with it have been awful.

Oh, and I do hope this tanks Adobe.

 

Penny Hunt

10 Years Ago

Yes, my husband keeps saying what Zeana says. I tried gimp for months awhile back, missed a couple of features very badly. I just came to post about this.... so not happy. I am thinking of putting photoshop on a dedicated computer and taking it off line so it cn not be 'disabled' at some time. I am already having issues at work with the cloud, attachments and not being able to edit pdf's (or save) unless I pay an online fee... this is with Adobe Reader, I have windows 7.... gheesh, Maybe it is time to relook gimp.

 

Georgiana Romanovna

10 Years Ago

Adobe are so greedy. Time to learn Gimp - but as I have CS6 that will have to do me. :(

 

Deborah Verhoeven

10 Years Ago

This really stinks, IMHO! I think Dan summed it up about not renting his camera. I use CS2 exclusively, and have been extremely happy with the results, but had planned on getting a new computer and new Adobe software this year. Hopefully I'll still be able to find a copy before they fly off the shelves.

I'm wondering about other programs at this stage. I've found that Photoshop Elements can be made to do nice things, although I haven't used that in years. (Unless that goes up to the clouds too.) Corel is Windows-only, so it's not much use to this Mac user. So far I haven't found any other photo-editing software that goes beyond automatic fixes to share pictures of your kids on Facebook. Anyone know of something that matches the capabilities of Photoshop? (For a Mac?)

 

Roy Erickson

10 Years Ago

Just another reason to not go with Adobe - greedy guts that they are. But after all - you essentially rent everything else - you have a mortgage - renting, a cell phone - renting it's use, a car that you owe the bank on a loan - renting, the cable into your house for tv or internet - renting. Tell me, what do you really and truly own - well - I suppose there is the clothes on your back - unless you just bought them on credit and you have a card balance - renting.

 

Dan Carmichael

10 Years Ago


It is insignificant for those who will refuse to be manipulated. Older versions of PS perform just fine and will continue to do so.

I have a win 7 64 machine with CS5 64 on it. But primarily, I still use an old copy of CS2 for 90% of my work, and am happy with what I produce.

I will be able to extend that CS5 for years to come. Which means Adobe will not receive any money from me for years to come.

By then, Google will have purchased Corel, reduced the price and remarketed it as they did with Nik, and change the image editing sector forever.

Adobe has just handed themselves to Google on a silver platter. A tasty lunch for Google, indeed.

 

A Souppes

10 Years Ago

never used any adobe products and now probably just have to forget they exist at all

 

Dan Carmichael

10 Years Ago

Adobe have shot themselves in their foot before, and is doing so once again.

I don't rent my camera, I purchased and own it.

I won't rent my software either.

When it is all said and done, the public backlash and negative PR will result in users seeking other alternatives and a reduction in Adobe's market share.

Corel, for one, is so ecstatic at this time they can barely sleep. After years of market failures, their future looks better than ever. And the Phoenix rises from the ashes.

 

Angelina Tamez

10 Years Ago

I just was just talking to a representative about this yesterday.

They act like it's the best thing since sliced pie.

Sounds great, pay for use...forever. I know I am looking for ways to go into debt...for programs...=/

*smh

 

J L Meadows

10 Years Ago

I don't like this new PS subscription set up at all. You basically never stop paying for the product. Sounds horrendous. I'll stick with my PSE4 and Xara software for now.

 

Mark Tisdale

10 Years Ago

This link has a lot of Q&A that helped me dissect the results:

http://blogs.adobe.com/photoshopdotcom/2013/05/answering-your-questions-about-photoshop-cc.html

Per that link, Lightroom is apparently going to remain at least for Version 5 available individually for a regular license.

I have mixed emotions. I may go the CC route later but I'm not crazy about it. It's a deal for people who upgraded every single time an update came out. For those of us who paid but might have skipped an update or two, it's less of a good deal. Before, I paid once and had software I could use as long as I possessed a machine capable of running it. The new model is the Spotify model - you rent it and as soon as you quit paying you no longer have the use of it. Not fond of never owning the software I use daily....

Another scenario I can picture all too well is that the I sign up for CC and a few updates down the line I can't get the update because my computer has become too outdated to use the latest software. Before I just stood still with what I had until I could afford new hardware and software. Now I'd be paying for the new software and stuck with the outdated version until I could afford an upgrade... Hopefully they would allow you to continue running with whatever worked! I'm giving them credit for foreseeing that eventually happening to some of their users.

 

This discussion is closed.