Subscription software. Sometimes it makes sense, sometimes it's just stupid

[West Coast Birder]

Aha. Yes, that's typical. Routing, traffic monitoring, etc are server-side in almost all cases.

True. Nothing beats having an internet connection. Cheap local sims are the way to go. A lot of US mobile plans these days also have slow speed worldwide data for free. I’ve found that slow (256 kbps) connections are more than sufficient for maps and things like WhatsApp.

 

[Capn Jack]

I had already downloaded map of the town we were in...and with the downloaded map one could find businesses, etc. with its database. But one COULD NOT compute a route to navigate, with estimated travel distance and time, to a desired destination within that town without active internet connection!

I'll note that I had no issue with an iPhone navigating with no cell connection with google maps off-line a few weeks ago in the USA southwest. You may wish to look up the information below and practice using your tools before you need them for real.

How to keep using Google Maps even when your phone is offline

These simple steps will help you keep using Google Maps offline when you don’t have an internet connection.

blog.google

Thankfully, Maps has an offline feature to help you navigate safely even when your phone might be showing zero bars. Offline maps can be an especially useful tool for people who frequently travel abroad or visit remote areas with spotty cell service. All that’s required on your part is a little bit of planning.

How to download maps to use offline on your iPhone - Apple Support

With Maps in iOS 17 or later, use offline maps to access information like hours and ratings for places, turn-by-turn directions, and estimated arrival times.

support.apple.com

With offline maps in iOS 17 and later, you can use Maps for information and navigation even when you don't have a Wi-Fi or cellular connection. Offline maps include details like hours and ratings on places, turn-by-turn directions for driving, walking, cycling, or riding transit, and estimated arrival times.

In neither case can they receive traffic data.

Aha. Yes, that's typical. Routing, traffic monitoring, etc are server-side in almost all cases.

This isn't true anymore, except for the traffic monitoring which still needs some sort of connection. Note my recent experience and the citations above.

 

[Anton Largiader]

Cool. My main nav app (Gaia) doesn't do standalone routing but I'm really not much of a routing guy. I want to see the roads on the map and then get lost on my own. And of course living on the east coast I have cell coverage pretty much anywhere, so it's transparent to me.

 

[Capn Jack]

Cool. My main nav app (Gaia) doesn't do standalone routing but I'm really not much of a routing guy. I want to see the roads on the map and then get lost on my own. And of course living on the east coast I have cell coverage pretty much anywhere, so it's transparent to me.

Yes, the program used makes a difference. Unless specified, it is reasonable to assume the most common and popular apps are being used. I use ForeFlight a lot, but that's an app for aviation that really doesn't apply to this conversation, except it needs the charts loaded on the device before it can be useful in the air. It gets traffic and weather in the air via an ADS-B receiver. I built one for maybe $50. Perhaps that's @Wilt 's problem- he isn't using one of the common apps, but as far as I know, he hasn't mentioned it. We discussed Apple and Google earlier in the thread but I don't recall that he said he was using something else.

 

[Capn Jack]

Just about every coffee shop worth its beans has wifi, at least in the US. I imagine it to be similar elsewhere. Somebody figured out that if they could keep customers lingering in their shop browsing, they may order a second coffee and if they can be enticed to stay a bit longer, maybe some snacks as well!

Yes, it is. Europe, Mainland China, Singapore, Canada- no issues! I can't say anything about Africa nor South America.

 

[Well Bonded]

What you are missing:

1. If, instead of paying Adobe for subscription, you put away that cash into a pool of money that could grow at the APR of 4%, and that amount compounds itself for every additional later year...you would have an accumulated $29,900 in that account, not merely $7200 (60 * $120)
2. If, instead of paying Adobe for subscription ever year (but stopped putting money in every other year), you put away that cash into a pool of money that could grow at the APR of 4%, and that amount compounds itself for every additional later year...you would have an accumulated $29,900 in that account.

In my case, I purchased the predecessor to Lightroom, Rawshooter, for $99. I could skip a release, saving $99, and Adobe GAVE ME Lightroom V1, and I could still opt to skip buying one version for $99, but then decide to buy v3, etc...I bought v5 and v6, and then stopped, when they went to subscription. So I paid a total of 3 versions of Rawshooter and three versions of LR, for a total of $500 across an evolution of 9 versions of software, and have been using LR6 for multiple years at no added cost, spanning 20 years now. I need no new features, I need no 'new camera' support for its RAW files, so I have no need of further upgrade. Under subscription for that same 20 years, it would have been $2400 out of pocket (rather than the $500), Skipping releases every other year and paying $100 per release, my retirement account would be about $1400 smaller ($1000 paid out of pocket, and interest not realized)

I think many people don't understand how compounding interest works, where they get hosed up is it's not straight line multiplication.

 

[the durkarian]

What you are missing:

1. If, instead of paying Adobe for subscription, you put away that cash into a pool of money that could grow at the APR of 4%, and that amount compounds itself for every additional later year...you would have an accumulated $29,900 in that account, not merely $7200 (60 * $120)
2. If, instead of paying Adobe for subscription ever year (but stopped putting money in every other year), you put away that cash into a pool of money that could grow at the APR of 4%, and that amount compounds itself for every additional later year...you would have an accumulated $29,900 in that account.

In my case, I purchased the predecessor to Lightroom, Rawshooter, for $99. I could skip a release, saving $99, and Adobe GAVE ME Lightroom V1, and I could still opt to skip buying one version for $99, but then decide to buy v3, etc...I bought v5 and v6, and then stopped, when they went to subscription. So I paid a total of 3 versions of Rawshooter and three versions of LR, for a total of $500 across an evolution of 9 versions of software, and have been using LR6 for multiple years at no added cost, spanning 20 years now. I need no new features, I need no 'new camera' support for its RAW files, so I have no need of further upgrade. Under subscription for that same 20 years, it would have been $2400 out of pocket (rather than the $500), Skipping releases every other year and paying $100 per release, my retirement account would be about $1400 smaller ($1000 paid out of pocket, and interest not realized)

In 20 years time I will be dead so I would much prefer to spend my money now on something that gives me pleasure. Fast cars and faster women.

 

[Jack Dawe]

Topaz have been advertising an update to Gigapixel. I bought my copy in November '21 before they went over to an annual subscription model. I'd be interested in updating it, but does anyone know whether it will stop working if I don't continue to subscribe every year?

 

[Wilt]

Hmmm...and sometimes it is questionable https://www.aol.com/adobe-traps-customers-annual-subscription-163215680.html

"The U.S. government is suing Adobe, accusing the software maker of steering customers toward a pricey subscription plan while concealing how much it costs to cancel the service.​

​

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) said Monday that Adobe deceives customers by "hiding" the early termination fee for the company's services, which includes popular tools such as Acrobat, Photoshop and Illustrator.​

​

Specifically, Adobe encouraged consumers to enroll in its "annual, paid month" plan without disclosing that canceling could cost hundreds of dollars, according to the agency. Users who do try to cancel are met unfair roadblocks, the lawsuit filed in federal court in California also alleges.​

​

"In numerous instances, subscribers who have requested to cancel through Adobe's customer service believe they have successfully cancelled but continue to be charged," the lawsuit states. "Some of these subscribers do not realize for months that Adobe is continuing to charge them, and only learn about the charges when they review their financial accounts." "​

 

[Capn Jack]

Hmmm...and sometimes it is questionable https://www.aol.com/adobe-traps-customers-annual-subscription-163215680.html

"The U.S. government is suing Adobe, accusing the software maker of steering customers toward a pricey subscription plan while concealing how much it costs to cancel the service.​

​

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) said Monday that Adobe deceives customers by "hiding" the early termination fee for the company's services, which includes popular tools such as Acrobat, Photoshop and Illustrator.​

​

Specifically, Adobe encouraged consumers to enroll in its "annual, paid month" plan without disclosing that canceling could cost hundreds of dollars, according to the agency. Users who do try to cancel are met unfair roadblocks, the lawsuit filed in federal court in California also alleges.​

​

"In numerous instances, subscribers who have requested to cancel through Adobe's customer service believe they have successfully cancelled but continue to be charged," the lawsuit states. "Some of these subscribers do not realize for months that Adobe is continuing to charge them, and only learn about the charges when they review their financial accounts." "​

This sounds like some Cable TV companies!

However, the source is questionable:

On its website, Adobe lists the monthly plan at $89.99 a month, the yearly paid monthly at $59.99 a month and the yearly paid upfront at $54.99 a month. The prices differ for a group subscription and for students and educators.

That seems like a corporate licensing plan- I think they call it a "team" plan. I think my employer's MARCOM department has this plan. I only pay $10/month.
I pay the center one:

Photo and image editing software for photographers | Adobe

Get the Adobe Creative Cloud Photography plan, including Adobe Photoshop and Photoshop Lightroom, to get the photo editing software and mobile apps you need.

www.adobe.com

They aren't concealing early cancellation now:

 

[Wilt]

This sounds like some Cable TV companies!
However, the source is questionable:

if you notice, the real source of the article is CBS News ...AOL merely provided a means of accessing the story.

 

[gjl711]

In 20 years time I will be dead so I would much prefer to spend my money now on something that gives me pleasure. Fast cars and faster women.

Too many fast women, you won't be making 20 years.

 

[Capn Jack]

if you notice, the real source of the article is CBS News ...AOL merely provided a means of accessing the story.

The source is questionable because of the data, not because it is AOL or CBS. I quoted the incorrect data, and then showed the correct data. Please read the post again and see the correct data as a screenshot and also a link to that data.

 

[Wilt]

Taken from Adobe web site, explicit information about early cancellation fees assessed for early termination of subscription

https://helpx.adobe.com/manage-account/using/creative-cloud-subscription-terms.html#:~:text=Why%20am%20I%20charged%20a,cancel%20before%20the%20year%20ends.

Apparent proof of some of the allegations being leveled against their licensing practices, "The U.S. government is suing Adobe, accusing the software maker of steering customers toward a pricey subscription plan while concealing how much it costs to cancel the service."

 

[Capn Jack]

Taken from Adobe web site, explicit information about early cancellation fees assessed for early termination of subscription

https://helpx.adobe.com/manage-account/using/creative-cloud-subscription-terms.html#:~:text=Why%20am%20I%20charged%20a,cancel%20before%20the%20year%20ends.

Apparent proof of some of the allegations being leveled against their licensing practices, "The U.S. government is suing Adobe, accusing the software maker of steering customers toward a pricey subscription plan while concealing how much it costs to cancel the service."

That isn't "proof" since the link you provided, and the screen shot I posted indicate they tell you up front that early cancellation fees apply, as they should. As long as they tell you plainly up front, as they are doing now, they are within their rights to assess early cancellation fees. If you have a screen shot dating to before the suit was filed, that would constitute evidence for wrong-doing.

That the government filed a suit is not "apparent proof" of anything. That's why we have a trial system in the USA- people look at the evidence and determine if the evidence supports the allegations. That statement almost reads like "he must be guilty otherwise the police wouldn't have arrested him".

 

[Capn Jack]

Update to downloading Google maps to phones for off-line use:
I was just in the PR China and Hong Kong. Google maps does not allow downloading maps of PRC territory if you are inside the PRC (per government mandate). I could do so within Hong Kong and in the USA. I was using a USA phone plan that bypasses the great firewall of China. Plan ahead when going to the PRC if off-line maps are needed. I didn't test whether other regions could be downloaded.

I don't know if Apple maps have a similar limitation. I prefer Google because it seems to list more detail (restaurants, supermarkets, etc).

 

[Nick5]

This post and all of the responses and cost analysis reminds me of the other “Heated Debates” on the forums……………..
See if anyone can get it….

 

[Wilt]

In 20 years time I will be dead so I would much prefer to spend my money now on something that gives me pleasure. Fast cars and faster women.

Still better than giving the money to a subscription software, if you do not need the latest new features or the newest camera support....fast cars and faster women a whole lot more satisfying to experience!

 

[RDKirk]

Okay, I'm trying to avoid the price increase (for a year, at least) on my Adobe Creative Cloud Photography Plan.

The website won't let me upgrade my plan directly...it doesn't provide the necessary links.


And it also won't give me a telephone number to call Adobe Customer Support.


Does anyone have that number for the US?

 

[the durkarian]

Okay, I'm trying to avoid the price increase (for a year, at least) on my Adobe Creative Cloud Photography Plan.

The website won't let me upgrade my plan directly...it doesn't provide the necessary links.


And it also won't give me a telephone number to call Adobe Customer Support.


Does anyone have that number for the US?

Do you pay annually or monthly, and when is your next payment to Adobe due?