Cloud drawbacks as I see them.

[Jeff Pulera]

I guess my comment about buying install media would need further review. I’m basing that on the current electronic upgrades. One can install from disc and then simply enter the serial to activate. Was assuming one might be able to do that with Cloud, but not verified.

But in any case, no one is being forced to use the Cloud, can still purchase, so not clear on why Cloud is an issue for anyone. Use what suits your needs.

Thanks

Jeff Pulera
Safe Harbor Computers

[Tom Daigon]

Have I not been clear stating the many reasons I dont want the cloud in this thread?

I thought I had. 😀

I think this sums it up for me.Loosing the ability to edit if I stop renting doesnt make sense to me if I can make a full purchase & continue editing forever.

Tom Daigon
PrP / After Effects Editor
http://www.hdshotsandcuts.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxPrG3WUyz8
(Best viewed at 1080P and full screen)
HP Z820 Dual 2687
64GB ram
Dulce DQg2 16TB raid

[Ivan Myles]

Creative Cloud membership offers lower up-front costs for new customers and those on older revisions. Users who already buy every new release won’t necessarily be attracted it.

The subscription model effectively turns infrequent buyers into regular upgraders. Overall I share the perspective that Adobe is the big winner: direct sales at full MSRP, more reliable revenue stream, reduced production and logistics costs, and lower risk of piracy.

[Tom Daigon]

Very true. And as of now I have no idea if folks that want to make the full purchase and get the install disks will have that option with CS Next.

I just want to insure we do by speaking up and letting others know about the options they should have.And by letting Adobe know we want that alternative to the cloud.

Tom Daigon
PrP / After Effects Editor
http://www.hdshotsandcuts.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxPrG3WUyz8
(Best viewed at 1080P and full screen)
HP Z820 Dual 2687
64GB ram
Dulce DQg2 16TB raid

[Walter Soyka]

I’ll share a few thoughts of my own on the matter.

Regarding “I don’t always lose Internet connectivity, but when I do, I prefer for my software to continue working”

From what I understand, the grace period for license check is 7 days:

https://forums.adobe.com/message/5005847

2. If I am “offline” (no internet accessibility) is it true that in as little as 7 days all of my Cloud licensed applications will be revoked even if my Monthly subscription is up to date?
Per the Creative Cloud FAQ here https://www.adobe.com/products/creativecloud/faq.html under General information the answer to question Do I need ongoing Internet access to use my Creative Suite applications? the anwer provided is: “Because your Creative Suite applications are installed directly on your computer, you will not need an ongoing Internet connection to use them on a daily basis. However, you will need to be online when you install and license your software, and at least once every 30 days thereafter. The software will alert you when you need to connect to the Internet for a license status check.” The license status check has a 7 day grace period. So you just need to check in once every 30 days.

Regarding “I don’t always re-install, but when I do, I prefer to do it from disc”

You can download the trial installers and keep them on a drive or make discs yourself, if you like. These will work fine with Creative Cloud authentication.

When installing a permanent license from disc or otherwise, you still need Internet connectivity to Adobe’s servers to authorize your installation.

Regarding “I don’t always drop my subscriptions, but when I do, I prefer to keep something for all the money I’ve put in”

I agree.

I think that Creative Cloud is a great option to have, as it lowers the upfront cost to zero, and as I realistically don’t have the option of not upgrading from an interoperability standpoint.

I think perpetual license is a great option to have, as it carries no recurring fees.

There is a middle path. I prefer the maintenance model that companies like Autodesk and Maxon use: you buy into the software, then you pay a regular maintenance/subscription fee. As you as you’re paying, you get updates. If you stop paying, everything you have licensed to that point is still perpetually licensed. If you want another update, you’re going to have to pay retail for it, or pay extra to get back on subscription.

I think maintenance is the best of both worlds. The customer gets regular updates and doesn’t feel locked in. The developer gets a regular revenue stream. I’d love to see Adobe offer something like this.

Walter Soyka
Principal & Designer at Keen Live
Motion Graphics, Widescreen Events, Presentation Design, and Consulting
RenderBreak Blog – What I’m thinking when my workstation’s thinking
Creative Cow Forum Host: Live & Stage Events

[Tom Daigon]

Walter I completely agree with your summation.

I called Adobe to get detailed info and they have none as yet, which is understandable. I certainly hope they adapt the concept of a Maintenance approach or at the very least the perpetual.

Tom Daigon
PrP / After Effects Editor
http://www.hdshotsandcuts.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxPrG3WUyz8
(Best viewed at 1080P and full screen)
HP Z820 Dual 2687
64GB ram
Dulce DQg2 16TB raid

[Ryan Holmes]

[Jeff Pulera] “You can certainly purchase the Adobe Install Media for $25 if you want to have DVD hard copies of the software on hand.”

I was (still am I guess) under the impression that Adobe is doing away with discs. As in, you will not be able to buy them in the future. However, Walter’s point that you can make discs off the downloaded file makes sense and could be a way around that. But I thought Adobe was moving to an all digital solution. No more discs.

[Michael Hendrix] ” am of the mindset that if everyone were on the subscription, why would Adobe have to wait for a specific, timed release of a new version. They wouldn’t make anymore money on it because they would have everyone’s monthly subscription fees.”

The “digital is faster to update” mantra seems like it always is pitched as a benefit (Apple does it now with their App Store), but like Tom said, those that live on the “bleeding edge” tend to bleed quite a lot – incompatible drivers, software conflicts, hardware conflicts, etc. I like having the latest and greatest version after it’s been tested out and patched because no software ever operates at 100%, especially not on day 1. But nobody is forcing you to download and install the update, so you could just wait a bit I suppose.

I guess you’re correct that this wouldn’t tie Adobe down to a set release schedule, but they do seem squarely set on a new showing at NAB with release in May/June of the same year. In between the “updates” are just bug fixes, not major upgrades. The only companies I see doing major upgrades between NAB has been Apple with FCPX and Blackmagic with Resolve. Avid, Autodesk, and Adobe usually just roll out small patches for things. Major updates are left on a yearly cycle at this point.

[Walter Soyka] “I don’t always lose Internet connectivity, but when I do”
[Walter Soyka] “I don’t always re-install, but when I do”
[Walter Soyka] “I don’t always drop my subscriptions, but when I do”

Walter this sounds the Dos Equis “Most Interesting Man in the World” lines. Maybe we could change it to the most interesting editor in the world…, 😉

[Walter Soyka] “I think maintenance is the best of both worlds. The customer gets regular updates and doesn’t feel locked in. The developer gets a regular revenue stream. I’d love to see Adobe offer something like this.”

I think Walter is exactly right here. This is the “middle ground” and also where I’d like to see Adobe move. As Walter said, it’s nearly identical to the Autodesk solution, which I like.

Ryan Holmes
http://www.ryanholmes.me
@CutColorPost

[Tom Daigon]

And Ryan I think this a a crucial time to talk about this with the recent policy changes at Adobes in regards to software ownership and distribution.

Tom Daigon
PrP / After Effects Editor
http://www.hdshotsandcuts.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxPrG3WUyz8
(Best viewed at 1080P and full screen)
HP Z820 Dual 2687
64GB ram
Dulce DQg2 16TB raid

[Ryan Holmes]

[Tom Daigon] ” I think this a a crucial time to talk about this with the recent policy changes at Adobes in regards to software ownership and distribution.”

It seems to be a change within the industry as a whole, and it’s the idea of software moving from being a product you buy once to a service you pay for access to. Adobe’s new model seems to make software a strict pay-per-access service like Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Hulu Plus.

The middle-ground as Walter mentioned, leaves it floating in between a full-on product or a full-on service. So paying $XXX to buy the software, and then having a yearly (or monthly?) subscription contract would allow the user to choose whether they want to maintain the updates or not. If they drop the subscription then they could get back into it, but would have to some type of additional fee to get back into the subscription.

Maybe Adobe could run a full on service approach and a licensed maintenance approach. Some users may only want the seats for 2-3 months as they ramp up for a production (live event, film, location shooting, etc.) and then don’t need it again for a year or two. In that case, the cloud/all-digital approach is great. The other side would be the maintenance license for people who perpetually use it – educational, corporate, broadcast, post-house, etc. and they may want to maintain a license year to year. Or they may just want to buy it once and use it as-is for 2-3 years with no subscription plan and then purchase again down the road.

I don’t have the answers, but I can certainly ask a lot of questions! 😉 Hopefully Adobe reads this and has more discussions internally (or externally with a test group) as to what’s best for both its business model and its customer base.

Ryan Holmes
http://www.ryanholmes.me
@CutColorPost

[Tom Daigon]

Excellent points Ryan.

Tom Daigon
PrP / After Effects Editor
http://www.hdshotsandcuts.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxPrG3WUyz8
(Best viewed at 1080P and full screen)
HP Z820 Dual 2687
64GB ram
Dulce DQg2 16TB raid