4 ms·

Sorry, this distribution model worked in the 80s, 90s where it also originated from. Software was once installed on your desktop computer. No updates, no client

by siva7 2y ago

Sorry, this distribution model worked in the 80s, 90s where it also originated from. Software was once installed on your desktop computer. No updates, no client/server model, just a black box without internet dependencies. I get the complaints that people wish back to a time where they purchased once the software but it doesn't work for SaaS, mobile phone apps or where i need to run a web server for the service. People easily forget about the hidden costs and why the software distribution model from ancient times doesn't cover the costs nowadays anymore.

generic92034 2y ago
At least in a B2B context a yearly maintenance fee was covering the costs, without cloud subscriptions. I think the move to SAAS in many areas is just to establish a stronger lock-in.
carlosjobim 2y ago
If you are using Mac OS, you can find the highest quality programs in any category for sale for between $30 and $100. The old model still works great. I have purchased some fantastic software and these prices are cheaper compared to the 80s and 90s.
IshKebab 2y ago
There's still plenty of software where using a very old version is perfectly fine. Matlab, Solidworks, Photoshop, etc. If you bought a 10 year old version it will still work fine and you probably aren't even missing much.
rkachowski 2y ago
> People easily forget about the hidden costs and why the software distribution model from ancient times doesn't cover the costs nowadays anymore. If this was true then there would be zero solvent software businesses that don't rely on subscription revenue, which is clearly not the case.
ktallett 2y ago
There is no need for a client/server model for most pieces of software, integration to existing cloud storage is far more useful than your server. Updates have existed for many years although less common as software was often more fully featured to begin with. There is still plenty of non subscription software that is out there, fully functioning, and of a high standard. Affinity is a key example.
XCSme 2y ago
Not all software has to be SaaS. Self-hosting is easier than ever nowadays, devices a lot more capable. Soon, smartphones will be able to run powerful LLMs locally, so no need to use a paid GPT app subscription. Take Photoshop for example, it's a product that runs locally on your computer. Why would you pay a yearly subscrption for it instead of a pay-once, use forever? I understand (optionally) paying for updates, but not just to keep using a product that is already on your computer

by siva7 2y ago

generic92034 2y ago

At least in a B2B context a yearly maintenance fee was covering the costs, without cloud subscriptions. I think the move to SAAS in many areas is just to establish a stronger lock-in.

carlosjobim 2y ago

If you are using Mac OS, you can find the highest quality programs in any category for sale for between $30 and $100. The old model still works great. I have purchased some fantastic software and these prices are cheaper compared to the 80s and 90s.

IshKebab 2y ago

There's still plenty of software where using a very old version is perfectly fine. Matlab, Solidworks, Photoshop, etc. If you bought a 10 year old version it will still work fine and you probably aren't even missing much.

rkachowski 2y ago

> People easily forget about the hidden costs and why the software distribution model from ancient times doesn't cover the costs nowadays anymore. If this was true then there would be zero solvent software businesses that don't rely on subscription revenue, which is clearly not the case.

ktallett 2y ago

There is no need for a client/server model for most pieces of software, integration to existing cloud storage is far more useful than your server. Updates have existed for many years although less common as software was often more fully featured to begin with. There is still plenty of non subscription software that is out there, fully functioning, and of a high standard. Affinity is a key example.

XCSme 2y ago

Not all software has to be SaaS. Self-hosting is easier than ever nowadays, devices a lot more capable. Soon, smartphones will be able to run powerful LLMs locally, so no need to use a paid GPT app subscription. Take Photoshop for example, it's a product that runs locally on your computer. Why would you pay a yearly subscrption for it instead of a pay-once, use forever? I understand (optionally) paying for updates, but not just to keep using a product that is already on your computer