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Thread ID: 132117 2013-05-07 07:16:00 Subscription Software - Good or Bad? Iantech (16386) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
1339983 2013-05-07 07:16:00 I was just reading that Adobe will no longer be making and selling packages that you can buy, instead you download what programme you want and use it for a monthly fee. Effectively you no longer own it, just rent it or hire it for as long as you need it.


Robson said customers who already owned a licence to the packaged Creative Suite would be encouraged to move to the cloud at a promotional price for a year - $29 per month instead of $49 per month for new customers. Single application subscriptions will cost $19 per month.Paul Robson is Adobe's managing director for Australia and New Zealand.

So, would you prefer to own your software, or rent it?
Is it just a bigger money spinner for Adobe? (who in my opinion charge way to much for their softare already).
Would this make you more or less likely to use an Adobe product at roughly $600 per year?
Will it prevent software piracy?
Who will be next to adopt this idea? Microsoft? Would you be happy renting your OS on a monthly basis?

Thoughts?
Iantech (16386)
1339984 2013-05-07 07:21:00 We are using creative suite at work, and I know not all the program's are used, so might be good to narrow down certain program's to one machine. Might save money, as we grade whenever adobe upgrades for compatibility reasons plod (107)
1339985 2013-05-07 07:23:00 Sounds like some of these prepaid mobile plans. Pay nothing up front. But you pay $119 a mth! And by the time the 2 yrs is up, you've paid double the price. Of what it would have cost

Thats what MS have done with Office 365 isn't it? You pay monthly or yearly. No thanks
Speedy Gonzales (78)
1339986 2013-05-07 07:34:00 I see a few benefits as well as a few shortcomings. Yes it will be good to only pay what you need and be able to upgrade really easily but as speedy said you'll probably end up paying more over time.

Biggest impact will be on Piracy, PS and office are the most pirated software packages out. Although I'm sure it'll get cracked it will be interesting to see how the lower yearly prices attract people over the heinous upfront prices that Adobe bestow on the PS Suite.

The pay a little over time vs a lot up front is the classic driver of NZ debt (as well as globally) for some reason people just can't get into their tiny little brains that if you can't afford it, don't buy it. Now I know there are a lot of situations where that rule isn't neccisarily applicable but I see so many people buy iPhones and MacBooks on loans/layby etc when they just don't need them. It's different with a car or if your laptop dies and you need a replacement but most people just want this crap.

Off topic rant :p as far as Subscriptions go I'm wary. Mixed feelings atm.
The Error Guy (14052)
1339987 2013-05-07 07:37:00 I see a few benefits as well as a few shortcomings. Yes it will be good to only pay what you need and be able to upgrade really easily but as speedy said you'll probably end up paying more over time.

Biggest impact will be on Piracy, PS and office are the most pirated software packages out. Although I'm sure it'll get cracked it will be interesting to see how the lower yearly prices attract people over the heinous upfront prices that Adobe bestow on the PS Suite.

The pay a little over time vs a lot up front is the classic driver of NZ debt (as well as globally) for some reason people just can't get into their tiny little brains that if you can't afford it, don't buy it. Now I know there are a lot of situations where that rule isn't neccisarily applicable but I see so many people buy iPhones and MacBooks on loans/layby etc when they just don't need them. It's different with a car or if your laptop dies and you need a replacement but most people just want this crap.

Off topic rant :p as far as Subscriptions go I'm wary. Mixed feelings atm.for a home user that doesn't need to upgrade it will work out more expensive, for a business I'm not so sure.
We have other software at work that we own, but still pay a monthly fee that covers support and upgrades
plod (107)
1339988 2013-05-07 07:48:00 For businesses I think subscription based software is great as there is no big upfront capital expense.
You just pay for what you need on a monthly or annual basis.
Works great if your staff numbers change a lot, depending on demand, so you can reduce your subscription licenses easily or add more as needed.
And you always have the latest version available plus your sub usually includes free support.

Edit: Forgot to also say that you generally get a lot more with your subscription than if you just bought the product too.

EG: Office 365 with Office Pro Plus subscription gives you a full install of Office 2013 Pro Plus that you can install on up to 5 machines!
And you are also getting an Exchange online account with 25GB storage, a public website and a few other things.
CYaBro (73)
1339989 2013-05-07 08:47:00 i would be reluctant since as a home user you can do it all for free, but for a business as others have said there would be benefits gary67 (56)
1339990 2013-05-07 08:55:00 i would be reluctant since as a home user you can do it all for free, but for a business as others have said there would be benefitsbut also means if you did need some specialised software for a week or two you could subscribe for a month... plod (107)
1339991 2013-05-07 09:02:00 I would hope the discounted versions of software are still available for outright purchase in schools and for students. icow (15313)
1339992 2013-05-07 09:09:00 Who will be next to adopt this idea? Microsoft?

Microsoft have already adopted this for Office, although a boxed version is available as well.

I just subscribed to Office 365 University, the full suite for $145, for 4 years, what a deal :D
pcuser42 (130)
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