Shamil's Blog. Software Engineering Processes, Android, CI, Devops.

Flickr

I've just noticed that Smugmug's acquisition of flickr lead to price raise 2x times: since 2018 a year of Pro cost $50 (and they are allowing 1000 only - I have more - while deleting all other photos). So I'm downloading my photos and closing my account at flickr. Frankly speaking that's not a price only, but that definitely was a turning point for me.

Not sure yet where to host instead (and do I need a photo hosting at all). I seem to not like or need any of them, including instagram, fb, vk.

Thoughts on software subscription model

PS The software prices of 80s are high. But seems like software prices have been rising for some time now with the widespreading of the subscription model. Take for example lightroom. The 6th version infinite license (not subscription one) cost around $150. Subscription cost $120 yearly. Same for MS Office. Sure, it comes with oneDrive, and oneDrive's file on-demand download works like magic (compare it with dropbox process of selecting the folders to sync manually and hope nothing is lost). But if one does not want or need it, no way.

This year I stopped using Lightroom subscription after paying $180 - I just realized that paying more than infinite license cost before is wrong and I have a kinda mental right (although for sure not any kind of legal one, and for the record I do not do this!) to pirate it ;-).

And don't give me that bullshit on software updates that cost a lot. As a local software user I want stability and predictability more than any updates (OS is completely different substance as it's dealing with networking and security). Oh, I know that software engineers wants salaries to feed their families. But please just let your users decide if they want a new version or stay with this one. Limiting options to "pay for new version or stop using it" is just a wrong dichotomy. Company can hire contractors on monthly basis ;-)

Labels: flickr, photo