PhotogHobbyist Loc: Bradford, PA

Because for my needs and purposes, paying $60 or even $80 every four or five years as opposed to $10 or $20 dollars a month is much less expensive and I can put the extra money toward something else related, or not, to photography. As a senior citizen, retired, and on a fixed income, I am frugal (tight) with my money.

PhotogHobbyist Loc: Bradford, PA

As always, Linda, you are very astute and to the point.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

That's probably a UK price in dollars. It's a different market... and any VAT (value added tax) due is already included in the price of something you buy in a UK shop. No tax is added when you pay.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Adobe's sales actually went way up when they switched to the subscription model. $10/month is a lot more affordable from a cash flow standpoint than plunking down hundreds for a standalone package. It adds up over time, sure, but you don't take the hit all at once, or incur interest if you put it on a credit card.

Frankly, the best feature of the subscription model is the continuous improvement of the software.

Heather Iles Loc: UK, Somerset

I assume it is called marketing. One way companies get us to purchase their products. You only get that price if you try to open your old version. My version is 11 which is 8 years older than your 2019, so I assume that could be why it triggered the discount. I haven't downloaded the 2024 version yet so will see if it will trigger the advert for the reduction again when I try to open my Elements 11. If it does, I will post the photo here.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

See the "Upgrade now" link on the screenprint below; it's from the Adobe Website. Several comments made in this thread (by several users) could have been easily verified or clarified by utilizing the awesome powers of Mr. Google

(Download)

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Thanks, but "mentally sharp" isn't usually my default mode now that I'm nearing the middle of my seventh decade on earth.

I do have some good days, however 🥰

Heather Iles Loc: UK, Somerset

You are a wise knowledgeable manburkphoto and there is no disputing your theory/views.

It could also be said that the program makers only drip feed us every year with small improvements to their programs, so there isn't much benefit to the hobbyist who is only going to use the program from time to time and hasn't got to rely on it for their living. Those hobbyists only upgrade when it suits them.

It is known that a subscription is also more beneficial to the masses that are short of money whereas the others that can afford it will do the same without thinking about the cost. Most people especially those short of money have not worked out what it is costing them per year. I could give examples of that as I know people who have slot meters to use their household gas and electricity (UK)in their homes and are paying more than those who pay by direct debit where the company takes the money automatically via their bank account. I told a lady who I know last week that it works out more expensive using a slot meter, but she told me it was better for her as she could budget better. I didn't continue the conversation further. My thoughts were the poor get poorer without them realising and they wonder why they are.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Pleeazze. Individual investigation is not the UHH way. Rather, taking misstatements from the mustard pages as gospel is how things operate around here.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Hope springs eternal, Paul.

Besides, as I pointed out to you not long ago, you too will be one of the golden oldies before long.

Heather Iles Loc: UK, Somerset

Well done, Linda. That price is even better than the price I saw.

Heather Iles Loc: UK, Somerset

I think that applies to most of us on here, Linda. At least we still have a brain.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Debating subscription vs version license is six of one, half dozen of the other, IF you believe in staying current with software. I actually get more satisfaction out of trying new tools than in saving money. I worked hard, invested well, and enjoy the fruits of my labor. It's a hobby, now, and a part time business when I feel like it. But it's worth it to me to keep learning.

OTOH, professionals and businesses prefer the subscription model for its predictability. Before the subscription schemes, a business like the one I worked for would spend $40,000 to set up a department for photo retouching. 18 months later, a new version of Photoshop came along. We didn't upgrade, because it was several hundred dollars per seat. The lab across town did. Five of our best people left to go work there. Three years later, we finally upgraded, to the third version since the one we bought. It was a disaster, because we had to retrain everyone in the department. Three versions of Photoshop back then was an absurd amount of change!

With subscriptions, that does not happen. Everyone is current with their software and their knowledge. You do have to plan for computer and OS upgrades, but that's usually on a 3 to 5 year cycle in corporate production environments anyway.

If you don't care whether you use the latest software, then buying a package and "holding it 'til your hard drive crashes" (not literally!) can be economical. But if you're 80 and that happens, are you going to want to learn a new package on a new computer? Some will, some won't. But good luck getting the old software to run on a new system, even if you have the license key and the installer files. It's a lot easier when the software is updated each quarter and you get a steady drip feed of new features.

Heather Iles Loc: UK, Somerset

Ah, Bill

You "hit the nail on the head so to speak". It is six of one and half a dozen of the other.

Regarding waiting until our equipment can't cope with the latest software, not in my case. I was a legal secretary and was used to up-to-date equipment.

I use a computer technician to service my PC and Laptop and as soon as they need changing after several small repairs he informs me that it is time I change and get the latest and the fastest that is suitable for my needs.

I don't just use my equipment for photography. I do most of my shopping, keeping in touch with friends and surfing the web, whereas my photographic programs are only used occasionally, so I am no old fuddy-duddy and keep on top of the latest technology.

In fact, as we are living longer we are not old until we are 100 these days, so I have 25 years to go yet.

Have a good day,

H

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

I love that attitude! I'm much the same, as I buy phones and computers I use daily for many tasks. I operate on a five to seven year cycle with each. That assures me there will be enough change to provide a good performance boost when I upgrade, and that they will remain safe on the Internet. Support for anti-malware software generally wanes after five years, along with support for operating systems upgrades.