Adobe kills Creative Suite, goes subscription-only!

reply to post by timidgal

Well heck.. If you have a clean machine, download the trial suite and play! I wish I had a clean one for that.

I just realised that for the first time I will paying the same as everyone else in the world for this software.


Here in Australia the full version of CS6 Master Collection is about $3,500.
(Well, no more obviously.)

Adobe has been accused of price gouging here for quite some time and there is an ongoing inquiry
Price gouging of Australian technology consumers
Adobe defends itself from price hike allegations


My new mantra - Yay Cloud!

While i do applaud the option being there for those who cannot
afford the software flat out i have to say im not happy with the current
trend of online only, online activation without a permanent disable
after activation, the reason being that while i get many folks think
the internet will just always be up and going or that it will always
be unlimited bandwidth wise, there is simply no guarantee that
it will be this way, and in all honesty it just makes me angry when
i pay for something like say a game with single player and
i cannot even play it when my internet goes down or i run out
of my 10 GB for that month, basically i pay for something that
i cannot use because they are paranoid about theft of something
that even when stolen the original remains, oddly enough to
me it feels as if those companies are now stealing from their
own customers to make up for theft by those who do not pay......

blarg lol i just wish i could buy a flippin game and play it
whenever i want with no limitations......

Making it affordable is the way to go and will hopefully reduce piracy. Of course, where there's a will, there's a way, and I have no doubt that there will eventually be some kind of crack/pirate server to whatever adobe puts out. It's definitely refreshing to see businesses adapting to the internet age, as opposed to spending more time making the DRM tougher to crack than they do on the actual product itself (EA games anyone? )

Before CS6 .. before even CS anything..

Everybody was doing just fine making really creative, advanced work with those older Adobe products - in magazines, online, etc.

I don't think newer versions are going to make people's work that much better.

You can prob buy an old copy of creative suite on Ebay for less than $200 and it will never expire.

This is a part of a greater plan to rid us of any permanent investments (like buying a house, buying software, buying books, buying movies) and instead renting them.

A lot of younger people don't even have laptops - they are using tablets or smart phones exclusively, and I wouldn't be surprised if they started storing the operating systems, memory and applications on the cloud and charging rent as well.

Originally posted by WaterBottle
reply to post by boncho

 

It's a lot better. Access to every Adobe program for $50/month.

Why? You are essentially renting the programs. You'll never own them. It's throwing money out the window, like leasing a car.

By the way, I should have mentioned, one of the reason I like CC is because the programs that I do use, InDesign, Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Premiere Pro, after effects... are by themselves, a fortune to buy. I am not a student. I pay full price. And most of them are not sold in those special but tailored as a total package. I think there was one total package type deal that covered what I needed, Master Collection, was $3000? The other tailored packages were all missing one program or so.

Some of the other packages were cheaper, but they were missing 1 or 2 apps that I needed.

So, I look at it this way. I could have forked out 3000 smackers, or in this case pay $50 a month and get access to absolutely everything I need. (and more). And what's good about this, is if I happen to be using a computer that I don't normally use, (Say I'm visiting relatives for extended periods, etc.) I can deauthorize my computer at home, and later reauthorize it. But it's like having a copy of CS6 wherever I go.

Most importantly is the savings though, $600/year?? WOW! Think about it. 5 years to pay that same $3000.

I'm seeing them listed online for $1600? (Is it because CC is the only option now??) I could have sworn it was a lot more when I went to buy them. Although, I went in the Apple store and they didn't even have them in stock and I remember the same at Best Buy. I believe that's why I went with the CC membership. After pricing and finding how much easier it is to just get a membership and download.

In any case, even if Master Suite was $1600, vs. $600/year, I'd go with the $600 a year for some simple reasons, one, support is great, updates are great, and when a new version comes out, I'm gonna have it the minute it comes out. Creative Suite 3 was what, 2007? We've gone up 3 more (not including 5.5)...

I am dead sure when I went to buy my CS6 tho I was looking at 3 grand. In which case, yeah, I'd rather pay the 50/month...

As long as I am getting an overhaul every 1.5 to 2.5 years, I am okay with the price tag. It is very similar to plopping down that initial investment every time a new one comes out. As far as the update argument... Heck, I know update purchase used to be a discount, but I can't count how many times I bought the same software more than once because I lost the serial, or sold the computer, or some other reason. This is great cause it's attached to my email.

Better than a porn subscription!

Originally posted by evictiongnostic
reply to post by WaterBottle

 

Doesn't a leased car get you from point A to point B? Doesn't a leased Photoshop get you from no design to a design? You might not like the plan, but don't pretend that it's somehow just them stealing your money for nothing.

The funny thing about leased cars is that in many cases, they are a much better deal for people than financing or buying outright. When you pay for your lease, you are essentially paying for the depreciation for the car. When you are done with it, there will be the buyback, the outstanding balance. What most serial leasers do is simply trade in and have a brand new car, brand new model, which they will continue paying depreciation on.

There is no way to win with auto purchases. The auto market has and always will be a losing game. Even "collector" cars are not worth much (profit wise) except in very rare circumstances. A prominent restoration guy said how his labour on a classic car project usually works out to $3/hour when he does a profitable project. He does it for fun of course.

So back to leasing, you have Joe Banana who leases a car, gets a brand spanking new one every 3 years. He consistently pays $20,000 into his cars during the 3 years (the amount of depreciation). Now, Joe Coffee hates leases and not "owning" stuff, so he sinks a big fat chunk of money down on the car through financing payments every year. He loses 20k on depreciation in the first 3 years. The same amount Joe Banana is paying off his lease payments. They are both out 20k on the car they got. The difference, is Joe Coffee will continue to pay another 20k to pay the car off in the next six years, while Joe Banana will spend the same, but he got a brand new car again.


Joe Banana = (Year '09) 2009 Lexus IS250 / (Year '12) 2012 Lexus IS250 ------- 2015 Will get another current model

Joe Coffee = (Year '09) 2009 Lexus IS250 / (Year '12) SAME CAR ------- 2015 Car Paid in Full

At the end of the six years we check out Joe Banana and Joe Coffee, it's 2015. What does Joe Coffee have to show for is "Ownership"? ...he has a car probably worth about 13-18k. Now, if he wants a new one again, he has finally paid this one off so he will have to trade it in and put it towards another finance, the dealer will give him maybe 10k on a trade in.



Guess what? The "ownership" payments are more than a lease. In fact, Joe Coffee is paying $100 more a month, over the 6 year term. Guess what? That's about $7200 in extra payments. Almost negating his trade in "value" at the end. He pays more taxes because it's "ownership" too. Unlike the lease.

So what's the long and short of it? Joe Coffee ends up paying about the exact same as Joe Banana, the only difference, is that Joe Banana got a brand new car half way through the 6 year period.

Also, lets say Joe Banana wrote off his lease through taxes. (My accountant told me a lease could be written off, but not so with financing?) so he gets a break there too... But the main thing, is Banana is driving a new car every three years, same amount of money.

Sure he doesn't "own" it... But, a car is a depreciating commodity, it's a liability, there's nothing prestigious or beneficial about owning one. Because they just lose value.

-

Now, some will say "Hey Boncho, what the hell does this have to do with CS6??"

But my point should be pretty clear, I'd rather lease CS6 and make sure I have the latest updates, bells and whistles... Make sure I am driving the newest model.

Everyone is laughing at Joe Coffee behind is back all the time anyone, trying to convince CS4 "is like the best model of CS Adobe came out with" and he's been known to say, "I wouldn't even want a copy if they gave it to me!"


You know that guy. The one at the party. "Well, you know, I am waaay happier with my old generation BMW, because, those curvy lines in these new models, they suck! Oh man are they ugly! and increased horsepower?? Like, what am I Michael Andretti? I don't need that..."

Yeah man, my new beemer sucks. Really bums me out everytime I get in and have to smell the new car smell.

reply to post by dc4lifeskater

What about poor people who dont have internet but use adobe, how can they do things on the cloud which requires internet. Or slow internet like dialup just to be able to check emails and stuff, but do print work or graphic design.

That's my question.
I don't want to have to be 'online' to work with my photos.
This is a sad day.

EDIT: I should have read through what ArMaP posted first. I guess this will not be a problem after all.

peace

Originally posted by silo13
reply to post by dc4lifeskater

 

What about poor people who dont have internet but use adobe, how can they do things on the cloud which requires internet. Or slow internet like dialup just to be able to check emails and stuff, but do print work or graphic design.

That's my question.
I don't want to have to be 'online' to work with my photos.
This is a sad day.

peace

It was already covered in this thread. The programs are downloaded and installed like any other Adobe program. You have to log on once a month online, to show your subscription is active. That's it!

reply to post by boncho

Yes, I did an edit - read 'that part' late - though I still don't like having to be tied to the internet even if it's only once a month.

Thanks

peace

Originally posted by boncho
....
Yeah man, my new beemer sucks. Really bums me out everytime I get in and have to smell the new car smell.

edit on 7-5-2013 by boncho because: (no reason given)

Off topic but: You poor fool driving around in an inferior car like a BMW ... My classic S-class has the fine aroma of a faulty K-Jet. I think you may have convinced me to lease a new A45...

I read the 1st page up to Waterbottle saying "it's like leasing a car... throwing money out the window"

I agree. Im using CS3 as we speak, to make money until I find a new job. The sign shop I was working at full-time got too slow, so hrs were cut. If I had to pay $50/mnth to use Adobe CS, or even $20 for the 2 programs I use, & have internet (I do have internet, but What if I bought groceries instead next month?) it would just be another hurdle to making my "training" work for me & make $ freelancing.

Of couse Adobe claims their customers prefer it; customers who complete surveys & allow corporate software to collect usage statistics ARE OF COURSE keen on lapping up any thing Adobe dribbles on their plate. I was never asked if I'd prefer it as a monthly fee. I & the millions like myself wouldve said Hell N O

Used CS6 at work... there are improvements I missed when coming back to using CS3, but Im really glad I have it.

To be clear, I dont use the other stuff, only AI & PS.

Adobe justwants to dig in your pocket, a lil every month, because they know it will add up to more than the couple grand it cost to buy the former CS versions. 2 yrs out, someone using this feebased sub service wont have a version to "fall back on".

No one should have to wonder what to cutout of the budget next month: Car insurance, internet, or Adobe Creative Suite? Damned if you D o
.

It's shameful, Id even venture to say.

Originally posted by CranialSponge
Meh, the freeware program "Gimp" fulfills all of my graphics needs just fine.

Like hell if I'm going to pay monthly so some greedy corporation can add a few extra zeros to their bottom line.

Software should be a one-time purchase, not a friggin' monthly subscription. We don't pay a monthly subscription for the usage of our computers and peripherals, do we ?

Adobe can shove it where the sun don't shine.

Paying monthly is a great idea, it's mean up and coming graphic designers can afford to use the software without pirating it.

Paying a monthly charge for software isn't all that unusual. My only objection is the price is still a tad high

Yes, Silo13, I agree. What ll happen is a project that matters will be delayed until the computer checks in online. What the heck, Mom, I dont need to CHECK IN. Get OVER yourself, Adobe. Im so nonplussed, I could only be more if I wasnt replying to this O.P. alerting A.T.S. to fresh B.S..

And about leasing vs. owning: Arguments can be made persuasive in both directions. If u want to convince your S.O. to lease or let u lease, print off Boncho? s argument. If u want ur S.O. (or retirement-reaching dad, maybe) to STOP with the perpetual car pymnts, then go find a really good flowchart graph table sheet that wins for the OWN perspective. Basically that person is implying that anyone not down with subscription adobe is Joe Inane, which is just so cool. Wow, so smart & cool, must be a visual media artist. Core market

Originally posted by boncho

Originally posted by WaterBottle
reply to post by boncho

 

It's a lot better. Access to every Adobe program for $50/month.

Why? You are essentially renting the programs. You'll never own them. It's throwing money out the window, like leasing a car.

So tell me exactly how much your CS4 copies are worth?

Depending on the situation, invaluable.

If I go poor and cannot afford the subscription cost, then I can always run back to CS4, make a logo, sell it, and not starve to death.

It's always there available to use, always there potentially able to make me money or give me precious artistic joy if I feel like it.

Software like that isn't judged by its physical resale value...

reply to post by boncho

Sure he doesn't "own" it... But, a car is a depreciating commodity, it's a liability, there's nothing prestigious or beneficial about owning one. Because they just lose value.

You cannot even drive a leased car as you wish because of the mileage limits the owner puts on the car.......unless you want to pay out huge penalties. You have no freedom with a lease... You're also still responsible for the maintenance costs of a car you do not own.

And yeah, there is something prestigious about owning a car that you paid for....at the end of the day you have a car with no monthly payments.

reply to post by Wrabbit2000


Quite sad really. I was quite happy using legal PhotoShop. But if Adobe doesn't want to support it anymore, I'll just have to resort to piracy.

Everything is moving to the cloud though, and with it comes subscription based products. Nothing is sold really anyway, its "licenced". So its just natural to want to get a regular income rather than giving a lifetime contract to a product. In the future not only Adobe CS and Microsoft Office will be subscription based, even our OS will be subscription based. And eventually the OS will be in the "cloud".

Not looking forward to it.

Adobe has always sucked, I have been using Corel Draw since version 3.
I have always found it much simpler to use however I do use Illustrator CS3 for some things.
The only reason I bought CS3 was a few my customers started supplying me with AI files so I had no choice at the time.
Corel Draw X6 handles adobe files fine, although my graphic design work is in the print field, I know quite a few
signwriters that also swear by it.
There is no way in hell I will be forced by adobe to rent their package, by the by aren't we conspiracy types supposed to be against the big corporations and their world domination, if you're not happy with the latest adobe ripoff then give the little fish at Corel a try.

Originally posted by kudegras
aren't we conspiracy types supposed to be against the big corporations and their world domination, if you're not happy with the latest adobe ripoff then give the little fish at Corel a try.

Little fish? Corel is a big company, and is most certainly not Open Source or anything like that. $479.00 aint cheap either.

I find the software quite hard to use as well, I much prefer the free photo editing software Paint.net, or GIMP. PhotoShop I still think is the best.