It looks like the trend is moving toward Subscription Software (Ransomware) . I predict, in a few years, most top level application software and all Operating Systems will be via subscription only.
The companies are going this route because it is to their advantage to do so. It gives them a solid base of almost guarantied cash flow from which to work without the need for new sales. It also gives them much greater control over the use of their software by the consumer.

Here is what I don’t like about the ‘Ransomware’ business model as a consumer.
It forces me to accept possible unwanted updates and changes to the way the program looks and feels. This means I will always be behind the learning curve or a feature I like might be removed against my wishes.
It costs me each month, weather I use the software or not.
As a very light user(once every few months), I am forced to subsidies the mega-user who uses the program every day, all day long. (My computer has a good number of programs I have used only once in several years and some I will use only if required, due to a problem.)
It tends to lock me in to using only that software and therefore subjects me to creeping increases to the monthly rate; and other whims and abuses by the provider, over which I have no control.
In the long-run, cost/use will be higher for me; especially if it sets on my computer for a long time.

Lots of murky and byzantine details, and amazed no one sent info on this out yet.

Today Adobe released some new pricing plans around Lightroom.

Buried in the byzantine details, is that Adobe is phasing out Lightroom standalone. :-(

Here are a few links:

https://www.engadget.com/2017/10/18/adobe-max-lightroom-cc-cloud-1tb/

https://www.cnet.com/news/adobe-lightroom-cc-faces-an-uphill-climb-photoshop-2018/

Looks like they still have the $10 a month plan, and they rolled out a new $20 a month plan -- the main addition for the $20 plan appears to be 1TB of cloud storage for that extra $10.

Personally -- I'm glad I'm not an Adobe user, plenty of great alternatives that are almost as good and way, way less expensive . It's only going to get worse going down the road. My prediction is that in two years or less the $10 a month plan will be the $11.99 or $12.99 a month plan.

Lots of murky and byzantine details, and amazed no one sent info on this out yet.

Today Adobe released some new pricing plans around Lightroom.

Buried in the byzantine details, is that Adobe is phasing out Lightroom standalone. :-(

Here are a few links:

https://www.engadget.com/2017/10/18/adobe-max-lightroom-cc-cloud-1tb/

https://www.cnet.com/news/adobe-lightroom-cc-faces-an-uphill-climb-photoshop-2018/

Looks like they still have the $10 a month plan, and they rolled out a new $20 a month plan -- the main addition for the $20 plan appears to be 1TB of cloud storage for that extra $10.

Personally -- I'm glad I'm not an Adobe user, plenty of great alternatives that are almost as good and way, way less expensive . It's only going to get worse going down the road. My prediction is that in two years or less the $10 a month plan will be the $11.99 or $12.99 a month plan.

The thing about it is is that adobe needs to make more money. That's the bottom line! Back in the day I forked out over 600.00 dollars for cs4, which I still use today. Also adobe discontinued updates so I'm stuck with what I have. This keeps me from buying another camera because I really like adobe camera raw but it's not supported using cs4. My version stops with the addition of the canon 7d. Adobe forces you to upgrade to the latest version of whatever camera you're using. Adobe should have made upgrading to another version alot cheaper. Who can afford it? So I use affinity and it does the job pretty well and has most camera profiles in it, but I'm used to cs4 which I rely on to this day. I also use (canon user) dpp and it also does the job, after using acr to edit photos. It seems a no win situation for consumers. You either have to have deep pockets or pay forever or you're left behind. Affinity btw is great! But acr seems to be better with highlights and low light. Just my opinion. IMO, adobe is just a cash cow wanting to relieve you of your money. That's great if you have an income that keeps up with them, but for some?

I agree. They have taken advantage of those who have used Lightroom for years and then deceived us too...“Future versions of Lightroom will be made available via traditional perpetual licenses indefinitely” as quoted from Adobe themselves. I don't have such a problem with being FORCED to use the Standard Adobe Lightroom CC, however, they plan to start charging for cloud space as well. I say forced because I have used the program for many years and would be hard to change now. I am so angry!! :-(

Again, you are not forced to buy anything at any price. You are making a decision to spend your money and what you want to spend it on. The goal of the company, any company is to compete, make money and gain market share. All companies that have stockholders and want to survive are trying to find ways to maximize profits. If you have never been in the software developing, marketing, selling and supporting business then you don't likely know what you are even talking about. It is in my experience on of the hardest businesses to be successful in, especially long term.

I don't buy beer and cigarettes and I think those are very profitable companies but they are not getting my dollars. You can always go back to shooting film and developing in the basement if you want too. Or use a free program... and it is great that Canon and others provide software, but I assure you it is priced into their products.

Best,
Todd Ferguson