DonVA Loc: British Columbia and New Mexico

Back to the subject of the original rant, software developers have to eat too. So when they continue working on a program after it is released and sold, and if they add sophistication and functionality, then why shouldn't they be allowed to charge for the resultant update?
Complex software is not written, like a post to this forum, it is developed. An ongoing process.
In a brutally competitive market it's a waste of time to release software that isn't good so most of it is very good. After that they are just trying to make it better. Paying them for their work, especially when you have the option not to, doesn't seem unreasonable.
If you turn off capslock people will respond to your ideas instead of your presentation.

Fredrick Loc: Former NYC, now San Francisco Bay Area

That’s not the way the world works, Ace. People are in business to make money and make a profit. They’re not in place to give you free stuff. Lighten up.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Marketing software is no different than marketing any product or service. Innovation by the competition is a driving force as well as creating new features of existing products to spur interest and additional purchases from existing customers instead of "buy one and done". Imagine being a cast iron skillet salesman where each person that buys one will never have a need to buy another nor their daughters that they pass them on to.

Subscriptions and access to operate them online only is a way to assure that all customers get access to the latest developments and bug fixes. More importantly it prevents hackers from "cracking" the security licensing and making the software available on the unauthorized market. Of course what really happens is that these hackers use spyware and trojan horses that worm their way into the users computer and networks. "Free" is not truly free of risk so users beware.

jlocke Loc: Austin, TX

I'm just an amateur programmer, but let me weigh in here a bit. I generally write a program to help me with something I find myself doing over and over. Usually the first version of the program works well enough, but with continued use, I find little improvements that I could make to it to make it easier to use. So along comes version 1.1. Then perhaps I add some additional functionality; now version 2.0. After some little tweaks to that version it's now version 2.1.
Most of the improvements were derived from using the original program and realizing what could be done to make it smoother and easier to use. These could not be realized until using the program for some time.
I agree if you buy some software that has a major bug that prevents you from using it as intended, that should be a free fix from the developer. But if something was added to make it faster or better, well, that is a whole new thing. Should the company not be paid for the work put into making the program better?
Sometimes the timing of the releases is what is upsetting. Buying version 1.5, only to have version 2.0 come out a month later. Can't be helped; that's life. Some companies will give a discount on the upgrade if you have purchased within xx months; others do not. That is why the subscription model is good. When Adobe releases an upgrade to Photoshop, I just get it. No money or hassle involved.

BebuLamar

The problem with the OP is that most of us do not agree with him. If most of use do then he doesn't have the problem.

khildy Loc: Brownsburg, IN

Me too old eyes have trouble focusing.

pedalmasher Loc: Seminole, FL

See an eye doctor or neurologist immediately!! :)

pedalmasher Loc: Seminole, FL

Yes, I told the clown that made that post that he should see an eye doctor or neurologist immediately. You've got to love when someone goes off on some bullshit tangent about the fact that you used caps rather than either sticking to the subject at hand or just going on to something else and shutting the f&*k up!

gasstro Loc: Indiana

Xpatch Loc: New York, Antigua, GT.

CAPS bear no relation to font size

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Use of all caps is actually against forum rules.

pedalmasher Loc: Seminole, FL

Another real important quote to do with photography - I'm starting to realize that there are way to many dipshits in this group.

DRam11 Loc: Polson, MT

ON1 resides on my computer and frequent updates are offered. Notice the "offered", not demanded. The offer is checked out and a decision is made - do I want it or not. Everyone can make their own decision. No need to gripe about the offers.

Paladin48 Loc: Orlando

FotoHog Loc: on Cloud 9

LOL . . .