What have the Romans ever done for us? Read back in the thread and you'll see I mentioned some. Another is Generator.
PS Generator is a great example of something I would never use. Same for Behance and uploading to Cloud. Seems like all real innovations are going into LR and the PS project was taken over by marketing guys and beancounters.
I started with PS 3.0 in 1994, and kept upgrading every time a new version came out. Until PS 6.0 in 2000.
The pace of development slowed down after that and I didn't see any dramatic improvements in PS until 2011 when PS CS5 came out with Content Aware Fill. Between 2000 and 2011 the trusty PS6 served me well. I didn't use it every day, but it was paid for, it was there when I needed it, and I was able to move it without any difficulties and hassles to new computers, as I upgraded my hardware.
When PS CS5 was announced, I was not eligible anymore for an upgrade and had to fork out again the full price for CS5. I didn't mind so much, since just the CAF feature paid for it many times. Looking at the list of new features in PS CS6 and PS CC, I see a number of additions but not too many that would simplify my workflow or improve productivity. These wouldn't be features as the oil paint filter or support for Middle Eastern languages that were advertised in PS CS6.
With the CC model, subscribers are forced to underwrite any and all future development, regardless of what direction that development takes. ... or at what pace those new features/functions are implemented. Sure, subscribers could pass on updating apps when the new version really doesn't bring much to the party ... however, they must continue to pay their monthly stipend to Adobe or be boxed out. The model removes any and all power from the consumer to voice their disproval of the product in a meaningful manner large corporations can take to heart. The only method to be heard by such large interests is to impact their bottom line. That is entirely impossible under the CC model with no viable head-to-head alternative.
I am convinced that over the long haul, development and innovation will slow in pace and decrease in value because Adobe will have a captive audience who once CS6 becomes a dead, end-of-life product, subscribers will have nowhere to exit. It's not that I question the engineers involved as to their capabilities, expertise or desire to create ... I question whether the executives involved will continue to support the current level of investment in resources that would ensure reasonable further development of their products for any extended period. Those very executives have done little over the past couple of years to instill any confidence that they have their customer's best interests at heart. After all, they had to "listen" for months to come up with the Photographer's Package in the first place. If they had a clue about their customers, such an offer would have been announced back in May.
I still have about 34 days to make up my mind on this offer before the deadline will pass ... so far, there is very little, other than the current attractive price point that is encouraging to a confident path into the future. Unless something major presents itself soon, I am leaning very strongly on pass up the offer.
Well said and very likely scenario.
It's a sad state of affairs when we get more news / rumours from a very secretive company about upcoming large iPhone models, 13" iPads, and round Macs than about any new plans and directions in Adobe PS development. Doesn't make a good case for switching to the subscription model.
As for now, I upgraded my perpetual LR license to LR 5 and will keep using CS5 until I see a compelling reason to switch to a better product, preferrably with a perpetual license.
