Replacing an Old Lightroom Version (Page 3): ------- Lightroom 6 was the last version you could buy. Check around, I have seen copies of version 6 and occasionally version 5.71 for...

jamesl Loc: Pennsylvania

DrAW45 wrote:

I am wanting to buy the latest version of Adobe Lightroom that is NOT a fee-per-month but one that I can pay for once and use forever. Any suggestions?

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Lightroom 6 was the last version you could buy. Check around, I have seen copies of version 6 and occasionally version 5.71 for sale.

r1ch Loc: Colorado

DrAW45 wrote:

Thanks - Are any of the older versions able to be purchased and totally owned?

The old products had to connect to the Internet and talk to And Adobe server During installation ...Adobe has taken all these servers down so even if you purchase an old version I believe that you will have problems trying to install it on a new system. If you have an old version on an old computer you have to keep that old computer running because you will never be able to use the software again is my understanding from what my friends who have older versions say. On one photo raw is a good replacement replacement because it is a raw editor like Lightroom but has many of the filters that Adobe photoshop has including layers and the ability to use other programs as or programs as plugins to itself. Other people like capture one and other raw image editors where you don't have to pay a monthly charge. Software is not a service it is a product ..don't give your money to Software companies who Charge you monthly.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

r1ch wrote:

The old products had to connect to the Internet an... (show quote)

^^^^ exactly!! Anyone thinking to waste their money and time trying to buy unsupported LR6 software should read above and just not do it .... If you bought it and added the license to your Adobe profile, in the past, and use Windows (and not Apple), the software works great. I use LR6 everyday on two Win10 machines. But, that still doesn't change the reality you can't buy it 'new' today from anyone and expect it to install and operate.

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

r1ch wrote:

The old products had to connect to the Internet an... (show quote)

This is correct.... You never BUY/own software. You only rent it, lease it. Sooner or later it will be off no use, be posted and you will be forced to pay another fee for a working copy. Ever wonder why this is? To stay in business.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

frankraney wrote:

This is correct.... You never BUY/own software. You only rent it, lease it. Sooner or later it will be off no use, be posted and you will be forced to pay another fee for a working copy. Ever wonder why this is? To stay in business.

The reason new operating systems come out is not JUST for the software companies to stay in business. They come out to keep us on the internet without subjecting us to the dangers of bad actors hacking our computers and allow us to use new technology (probably conflicting features).

If you never connect your computer to the internet or introduce external disks, you can safely use your 1975 computer. But what value is there in never connecting to the internet? It's only useful if your computer is doing a dedicated job without input from external systems.

Our cars have been using computers for years because they do a specific set of things using local sensors, but the internet is creeping into them too.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

DirtFarmer wrote:

The reason new operating systems come out is not J... (show quote)

THAT is the wildcard in the mix. Internet: Hackers. Malware. Adware. Crapware. Trojans. Viruses. Phishing schemes...

Lots of folks see computers as appliances. My coffee grinder from 1979 still runs like it did then. My hand tools still work. But NONE of my computers — Mac or Windows — has been practical to use beyond the ten year mark. At the lab I worked for, we figured three years and out for all mission-critical PCs, and five years for nearly everything else.

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

DirtFarmer wrote:

The reason new operating systems come out is not J... (show quote)

Your are correct. But, what were talking about here is buying an old software that is no longer supported. Chances are, it will not work. Most software has to be registered, and periodically checks the internet site to make sure it is still a legal working copy. So, at some point the software will be of no use.

As you say, of a computer is set up and used as set up, and any software does not have to connect to the web to check legality, the computer and programs will work until a physical disaster. Several people here on the hog operate in this way. As long as NO changes are made to the computer, hardware or software, it will work until it physically breaks down. For photo editing, this also probably means no new cameras.

Point is, if software companies sold a piece of software, and let it keep working after they quit supporting, they will go under. They have to keep making it better, to keep selling.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

DrAW45 wrote:

I am wanting to buy the latest version of Adobe Lightroom that is NOT a fee-per-month but one that I can pay for once and use forever. Any suggestions?

Dr I see this request a lot here.

The market has spoken (to Adobe) and Adobe no longer sells a non-subscription version.

You can try to by used, but that path is fraught with risk and one risk is that used software simply won't work on your computer due to licensing issues.

There are other companies who offer permanent licenses. Viva la competition!! I recommend if you simply can't stomach the subscription, then look into buying software from a company that offers a permanent license.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

frankraney wrote:

...Point is, if software companies sold a piece of software, and let it keep working after they quit supporting, they will go under. They have to keep making it better, to keep selling.

Most software gets occasional changes.

OTOH, 'Better' is not always part of those changes. Even the best software companies make mistakes, but they do correct them. If they don't, then they're not the best software companies.

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

DirtFarmer wrote:

Most software gets occasional changes.

OTOH, 'Better' is not always part of those changes. Even the best software companies make mistakes, but they do correct them. If they don't, then they're not the best software companies.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

DirtFarmer wrote:

Most software gets occasional changes.

OTOH, 'Better' is not always part of those changes. Even the best software companies make mistakes, but they do correct them. If they don't, then they're not the best software companies.

Exactly!!

stangage

Comparing LR 6 versus the latest subscription version -11.4 - is like comparing dodging and burning in a darkroom to LR6. Or maybe trying to compare apples to tank axles. There really is a world of difference and the latest LR versions have a load of capabilities for editing that you are missing out on by trying to stay in the dark ages by sticking to the mantra of "I want to own it rather than rent it".
Join the world of really easy access to very sophisticated editing of your photos for less that 2 lattes per month.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

I have said many times that any hobby worth its salt requires expenditures. Photography is no exception.

First of all you have to buy a camera. Then you have to have a computer.

When starting out you can make do with software supplied for free by your camera's manufacturer. However, most of that free software is limited in what it can do.

If you don't mind limiting yourself, you can stick with the free stuff, but if you want to grow in your capabilities, you need capable software. Even the software available only through subscription will supply you with several years of use before you get to the cost of the camera and computer. And during that time you have available all sorts of tutorials to improve your skills. Free. And on UHH and other forums you can find advice to improve your skills with the software.

If you're not interested in improving your photographic skills, what are you doing on a photography forum? What do you get out of it?

r1ch Loc: Colorado

burkphoto wrote:

THAT is the wildcard in the mix. Internet: Hackers. Malware. Adware. Crapware. Trojans. Viruses. Phishing schemes...

Lots of folks see computers as appliances. My coffee grinder from 1979 still runs like it did then. My hand tools still work. But NONE of my computers — Mac or Windows — has been practical to use beyond the ten year mark. At the lab I worked for, we figured three years and out for all mission-critical PCs, and five years for nearly everything else.

I am pretty sure I have a working windows 95 system, multi boot. You have to have image backups of your systems. If you get an unwanted update or virus, restore from backup and don't connect to the internet. 3 of my old laptops have dual boot windows 7 and 10 and I still use them. They have some old software that is not replicated today and I refuse to get the upgrades because they are costly. But as far as photography, everything is better now days than anything I had in the past so windows 10 On1, Luminar Neo, Topaz labs is all I need, (still have old versions of Elements just in case for learning or comparability.)

r1ch Loc: Colorado

frankraney wrote:

This is correct.... You never BUY/own software. You only rent it, lease it. Sooner or later it will be off no use, be posted and you will be forced to pay another fee for a working copy. Ever wonder why this is? To stay in business.

The buy model causes the company to inovate. If they come out with better features or product, people buy the upgrade. The problem with the Adobe lease model is they have no really done any updates until competion from companies like On1, Capture 1, Affinity photo, Luminar. It has not been till recently did Adobe start putting in AI features in photoshop. They are making tons of money but they don't innovate, they copy when their competition surpasses them with cool ideas like AI. Adobe frankly sucks. I do not support their model, neither do I support Microsoft office 360.