Discussion The trend of commercial software makers going from one-time payments to rental models

[mikeymikec]

I try to avoid renting software because for example with Microsoft Office it's generally waaaaay more expensive to do things that way.

I haven't bought much software in my time, but one of the main bits of software on my mind when writing this post is my copy of Xara Photo & Graphic Designer 10 (dated 2014). I don't use it often; my most common usage scenario is when I'm designing advertising / website art for my business. I run it in a Windows 7 VM as my primary OS is Linux these days.

The software still works well enough in most ways, but an example in how it's showing its age is that some of its Internet-connected components (clipart-style stuff for example) use Internet Explorer to make the connection (and there's currently a minute-or-so delay before it renders the browsing system for Internet-connected content for some reason, I'm sure it didn't used to do that), which is obviously problematic these days and probably more problematic if it was sitting on Win10/11. I don't see anything potentially stopping me from running Win7 forever in this VM, but an IE-connected component could be easily get borked further if the website updated its design in some way. It's using http rather than https.

It's fair to say that parts of it could become obsolete. The makers of the software already do a rental version but they also do a one-time purchase option for virtually the same price as the rental version costs for a year. I'm wondering whether with software like this it makes sense to buy a new version every say 5-10 years to help stave off the possibly inevitable scenario that the plug gets pulled on one-time purchases forever and everyone must rent.

Does anyone else here have similar quandaries and do you have a strategy already?

In this case I could try to learn to use GIMP I guess but it doesn't have a rep for user-friendliness AFAIK!

 

[In2Photos]

I despise this whole rental model with software. It's fine for professionals that use the software daily and need to stay up with the latest software, but for casual users it completely sucks. I used to be an avid photographer and began using Lightroom when it first came out. I bought each new version for a few years, but then other things in life took over. I would love a newer version, but I only use the software a handful of times each year. So I just install and use the old version. But like with any software there are limitations. The software doesn't recognize RAW files from newer cameras so I can't upgrade my camera without using a workaround or renting software. So I just keep using the old stuff.

I'd love to hear if someone has a better way.

 

[mindless1]

If what you had, has worked for 11 years, then I would do the one-time purchase now while it is still available.

As far as Win7 on 'nix and IE, there might be workarounds, like changing the default handlers for certain things. Is there any relevant setting you see in Control Panel - Default Programs - Set Your Default Programs ?

Wait. Have you even installed a different browser than IE, or even updated to the last IE or Edge that Win7 supported? If not, that is the first thing I'd try. For Win7, possibly something like R3dfox or Supermium, but even the last supported version of regular Firefox ESR or Chrome or Brave might work if it's just an IE limited capability problem.

 

[lxskllr]

in2photos, lookup darktable. No idea if it's any good cause I don't really work with pics, but it only costs time to try.

I switched to libre software long ago, even when I was still running windows. I saw the writing on the wall, and didn't like what it said. When I went to gnu/linux, I was using everything I already used. Only the os was different.

You need what you need, but everything's working now, so now's the time to find a way out of the yoke, rather than nothing working and having ti make a decision. Checkout gimp and krita. People make fantastic art with those programs. I don't, but I'm not an artist. Gimp covers the editing I need to do though. There's probably other software too. Now's the time to look for it.

 

[Muse]

At one time I aspired to develop a career in film photography, my colorblindness notwithstanding. Built a darkroom, had professional camera equipment.

These days I only use digital cameras. I've never used Photoshop, my colorblindness would handicap me. I'm using Irfanview to view and edit my photos, it's freeware for non-commercial usage. It has a slew of plugins, all installable with a single download.

 

[William Gaatjes]

I have software that i pay for and have a license for at least 1 year. So i have to pay for it every year but that is not a problem. Because i also get support i can call whenever i run into trouble.

I would not mind if microsoft would ask like 50 euros/dollars each year to extend the OS license. But then microsoft has to stop with constantly giving free advertisements and those constant changes to the OS, Keep It the Same. Imagine if 100 million home users would pay 50 euros, that means microsoft will receive 5 billion euros/dollars each year.
That would be a good coverage and pay for a lot of expenses.

To pay for software, i do not mind. I even donated a few times for some of the free software writers out there which have a donation model, to support their efforts. It is nice to have a view on life but money is a good stimulant and pays off hard working software writing hours and bills.

 

[Muadib]

I bought Office 21 last year, and it was less than $20. Microsoft has made standalone versions of Office for years, and hopefully that won't change anytime soon. PC mag or PC World has had articles about this for years, so I'm good.

 

[biostud]

I try to avoid renting software because for example with Microsoft Office it's generally waaaaay more expensive to do things that way.

I haven't bought much software in my time, but one of the main bits of software on my mind when writing this post is my copy of Xara Photo & Graphic Designer 10 (dated 2014). I don't use it often; my most common usage scenario is when I'm designing advertising / website art for my business. I run it in a Windows 7 VM as my primary OS is Linux these days.

The software still works well enough in most ways, but an example in how it's showing its age is that some of its Internet-connected components (clipart-style stuff for example) use Internet Explorer to make the connection (and there's currently a minute-or-so delay before it renders the browsing system for Internet-connected content for some reason, I'm sure it didn't used to do that), which is obviously problematic these days and probably more problematic if it was sitting on Win10/11. I don't see anything potentially stopping me from running Win7 forever in this VM, but an IE-connected component could be easily get borked further if the website updated its design in some way. It's using http rather than https.

It's fair to say that parts of it could become obsolete. The makers of the software already do a rental version but they also do a one-time purchase option for virtually the same price as the rental version costs for a year. I'm wondering whether with software like this it makes sense to buy a new version every say 5-10 years to help stave off the possibly inevitable scenario that the plug gets pulled on one-time purchases forever and everyone must rent.

Does anyone else here have similar quandaries and do you have a strategy already?

In this case I could try to learn to use GIMP I guess but it doesn't have a rep for user-friendliness AFAIK!

Yes, mostly because I'm not a heavy user of anything.

I do have a Microsoft 365 family subscription though, as I need cloud storage and it is by far the cheapest for 6X1TB and also getting office.