4 ms·

That's a flaw in all app stores (perhaps by design to force everyone to a subscription model someday?). For example, ImageLine's FL Studio was warning everyone

by bitL 10y ago

That's a flaw in all app stores (perhaps by design to force everyone to a subscription model someday?). For example, ImageLine's FL Studio was warning everyone that their new app will be completely different than their old app, but they weren't able to change version for their customers by the store policies, so they were asking users to be careful about upgrade. So currently your only option is to release app2, app3 etc. without the possibility to address your customer base (offering upgrades etc.) Subscriptions are basically renting apps for regular time periods. If forced, this would kill all indies for sure as most people would spend budget to the few main apps they need. I can also barely envision how the platform would attract creative people as it would feel like oligopoly. Frankly, with computers we have a chance to break natural constraints on availability but companies seem to be hell bent on reintroducing the same stinky approaches from the past. Why?

st3v3r 10y ago
"Frankly, with computers we have a chance to break natural constraints on availability but companies seem to be hell bent on reintroducing the same stinky approaches from the past. Why?" Because I want to buy food and pay rent.
- bitL 10y ago
  How does it help you if your potential customers avoid your software like a plague? Subscriptions border on restricting somebody's financial freedom. Imagine your plumber was forcing you to pay yearly for once/here and there using their services?
  - rstupek 10y ago
    I think its more analogous to your water/waste company who you pay monthly for them to remove your waste from your house. The provide an ongoing service, you don't get to pay a one time fee for it. Subscriptions provide a way for apps that have an ongoing support component to be paid for that instead of using ads.
  - st3v3r 10y ago
    "How does it help you if your potential customers avoid your software like a plague?" You're gonna have to show that would be the result. You'd also have to show that whatever your alternative idea is. You said you want to "break natural constraints on availability." How are you going to do that without charging per copy, or charing a subscription model? And how does your idea make more money that previous, or at least a similar amount? "Subscriptions border on restricting somebody's financial freedom." No, they don't.
    - bitL 10y ago
      I am fine buying software but only if I can keep ownership of whatever version I bought. I shelved money for complete CS6 but stay light years away from CC. I bought Ableton Live Suite, but stay away from ProTools. Imagine I had to pay Nikon or Access a yearly fee for camera/synth in my studio? I have a plenty of money I want to spend on software but only if it empowers me and not if it treats me as an ATM. For example, the old JetBrains model of buying a new major release (and keeping it forever) and then getting free updates for a year was simply perfect, both for allowing developers to love the company that treats them properly and financing ongoing development; not sure why they regressed.

by bitL 10y ago

st3v3r 10y ago

"Frankly, with computers we have a chance to break natural constraints on availability but companies seem to be hell bent on reintroducing the same stinky approaches from the past. Why?" Because I want to buy food and pay rent.

bitL 10y ago
How does it help you if your potential customers avoid your software like a plague? Subscriptions border on restricting somebody's financial freedom. Imagine your plumber was forcing you to pay yearly for once/here and there using their services?
- rstupek 10y ago
  I think its more analogous to your water/waste company who you pay monthly for them to remove your waste from your house. The provide an ongoing service, you don't get to pay a one time fee for it. Subscriptions provide a way for apps that have an ongoing support component to be paid for that instead of using ads.
- st3v3r 10y ago
  "How does it help you if your potential customers avoid your software like a plague?" You're gonna have to show that would be the result. You'd also have to show that whatever your alternative idea is. You said you want to "break natural constraints on availability." How are you going to do that without charging per copy, or charing a subscription model? And how does your idea make more money that previous, or at least a similar amount? "Subscriptions border on restricting somebody's financial freedom." No, they don't.
  - bitL 10y ago
    I am fine buying software but only if I can keep ownership of whatever version I bought. I shelved money for complete CS6 but stay light years away from CC. I bought Ableton Live Suite, but stay away from ProTools. Imagine I had to pay Nikon or Access a yearly fee for camera/synth in my studio? I have a plenty of money I want to spend on software but only if it empowers me and not if it treats me as an ATM. For example, the old JetBrains model of buying a new major release (and keeping it forever) and then getting free updates for a year was simply perfect, both for allowing developers to love the company that treats them properly and financing ongoing development; not sure why they regressed.