Your logic talks you and others like you into a corner, on a false premise.

Using the expression "subscription-based software" ignores the comparison and the value between (1) paying a large lump-sum of money periodically for upgrades to software and (2) renting the software on, say, a monthly basis.

Regarding Adobe Photoshop, the first approach involves receiving occasional updates to the software between versions of it, say between CS5 and CS6, and then shelling out a boatload of cash for the latest, upgraded version.

The second approach involves automatically receiving updates AND upgrades as they become available while renting Photoshop (including Lightroom) together for as little as $9.99 per month.

In this comparison, cost represents only part of the equation.

Another part goes to keeping up with and using the latest innovations in features and functions. This dynamic one cannot escape unless partial to enjoying the status of a dinosaur.

Again regarding Photoshop CC, Adobe offers these improvements:

1. Camera Shake Reduction: This filter adjusts a given image for the slight blurring effect that results from movement of the camera during the taking of the photograph. This movement can happen from two sources -- one the photographer or the environment affecting the camera position or two the internal vibration from the slap of the mirror in a DSLR.

Image stabilization in general reduces if not eliminates the external sources of movement that cause image blurring.

The vibration from mirror slap CSR addresses. It removes the slight blurring effect from this slap vibration. The inherent sharpness of the lens optics then reveals itself. One has to see the result of CSR to appreciate its visual improvement in the image.

Often, in my experience, the resulting image sharpness suffices for most purposes. Yet I will say the Nik Collection offers a filter called Sharpener Pro 3: (2) Output Sharpener which adds additional sharpness for a nice crispness in the image.

2. Camera Raw Filter. Photoshop now allows going from the Photoshop editor back to the Camera Raw Filter (Adobe Camera Raw) at any time during the editing process. One does not have to preserve the Smart Object status of a layer for this purpose. Nearly all the features and functions of ACR become available for applying to an image. This one improvement alone enhances the power and flexibility of Photoshop all the more.

I could go on but decline to do so. I prefer to ride the wave of progress in doing digital photography.

Please note that I am a user of Photoshop CC and not a shill for Adobe.

Good luck.

I would like to second the kind words regarding CSR I find it to be a most useful tool (despite the unkind words from some Hogs)
The effect seems to be localized to the region being analyzed so some improvement seems possible to a moving bird on a stationary background or to moving wings on a stationary bird
CSR can produce some ugly results if the "gain" is set too high

Can anyone suggest a source of information on how CSR really works and how to best use the settings which the manual ignores (other than to say that they exist)

Another useful feature is the motion analysis display which provides a graphical indication of magnitude and direction of detected motion- (not always vertical as some have said) I found it useful in determining my optimum shutter speed at a given focal length and when I really need to use the monopod

More misinformation spouted by the uninformed. First Adobe has access to the same information on me that they have on you. You had to register your copy of Adobe to get it working. They do have my Credit Card number, but so does every company who has ever swiped it, just like they have yours. So be careful, prudent with your information - by all means. But paranoid!

If every software company I have demanded a monthly license, I would simply have less software. The subscription model is not new it's been around since the dawn of software. Have you ever read your license agreement? If you did, you would realize you don't own CS6 either. Adobe only licenses you to use it, and can revoke that license at any time. You're no better off than I am with Adobe. The perception that you are is only your mind deluding you.

I use the Adobe subscription model because it makes PSCC affordable to the masses. I get the latest and greatest, and it costs less than when I bought full versions of PS for $895 and upgraded it every few years. The cost is actually cheaper.