Just to be clear, this is a blue sky dream session...there are no guarantees anything will come of this. The main reason I thought this thread would be useful is because it's at this time that photographers are looking at their needs and wants and trying to decide whether or not to adopt this new model or go looking for a different direction. So, if enough photographers decide to jump ship, somebody (be it Thomas & Eric or others) will expand to fill the gaps.
In terms of bootstrapping a whole new pixel editing app will, of course be a time consuming, difficult proposition...but I suspect somebody will be there to take up the slack.
I have been muling over concerns, many of which you allude to here....which is why I asked about "timeline" in an earlier, unanswered, post.
This AM, I was planning to open a new thread to address this, but since you have brought it up here, I will post my thoughts and concerns. At your request, I will be glad to move it to a separate thread.
I have already praised this thread. It shows us that there ARE people in Adobe who care about photographers....but, ya know....we knew that....we have all have had dealings (limited granted) with Thomas and Eric and know what they are like.
We have also seen that "Type A" personalities can, if they want, keep the dialog reasonable and controlled(something I had already decided was needed by me and plan to continue in my personal posts).
THE PROBLEM is that, for now, this does really not change anything. As Jeff says, it is 'Blue sky".
There is no promise or commitment that Adobe will approve or fund this well intentioned work effort.
This effort will no help us to make our own personal decisions on how we deal with CC....it's pricing and the risks of eventual/possible loss of use of the code.
If I remember correctly, statements have been made in print and interviews where LR function was going to move more toward CC, including release of new function to the LR CC version, which may not be updated in the perpetually licensed version.
I mention all this not to be disruptive. I would love for this thread to result in an ongoing, committed, funded Adobe work effort. If Adobe does approve it, let's be honest, it will not be here quickly....it will take years to implement...just like the paradigm changing Lightroom took years.
If Adobe decides to support this project, they could better retain their existing customers by creating a "Photographer Package" today, with a direction statement on how it would be changed over time.
The initial 'package' could be a bundling of Photoshop CC and Lightroom "CC". There should be a 'Statement of Direction" for the work effort concepts coming out of this thread....this gives a strong feeling of the corporations support and commitment, but with out any specific legal remedies if it does not complete as stated (IBM did this many times).
Further, Adobe should work out a CC offering, for photographers, which will alleviate fears of future loss of whatever code they were using at the time. My thoughts would be that after 'X' months of subscription of the combined PS/LR bundle, the subscriber could stop, but continue using it, but with no future upgrades. The term of 'X' would be for current users of PS CS3-CS6. Others would be 'X' + 'Y' months.
The "deal" could include a caveat, that over time...when 'Lightroom PRO' becomes a working reality, the PS/LR package will be discontinued....and replaced with just LR Pro (which will have grown within the package over years). Those wishing to continue use of PS CC (because they want function, such as graphics/upgrades) will be able to convert to the "regular" PS CC offering.
Anyway, just my thoughts on ways to retain customers and assist the "blue sky" effort to succeed, which would be win-win for us all.
John