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Author Topic: Adobes Profit Falls 59 Percent !  (Read 12956 times)

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« on: September 17, 2013, 16:59 »
+4
Adobes Profit Falls 59 Percent, but Cloud Subscribers Jump
http://allthingsd.com/20130917/adobes-profit-falls-59-percent-but-cloud-subscribers-jump/?mod=atd_homepage_carousel



So, their grand plan now is simple, most of their loyal userbase is outraged at being forced into the Adobe Cloud and stopped buying anything but investors are trustful in Adobe squeezing their subscribers like a lemon drop by drop !

What matters is now acquiring new subscribers rather than making actual profits, they will come at a later stage when users will be fully locked-in and scre-wed in with nowhere to go.



« Reply #1 on: September 17, 2013, 17:37 »
+3
.
« Last Edit: May 12, 2014, 09:58 by Audi 5000 »

« Reply #2 on: September 17, 2013, 17:49 »
+2
Adobe screwed Apple when they were struggling. They are ruthless. I am glad that the backlash is hitting them hard.

« Reply #3 on: September 17, 2013, 17:54 »
+3
This is what happens if you ignore the customer.


« Reply #4 on: September 17, 2013, 18:12 »
+15
Adobe slashed the price for Photoshop & Lightroom to $10 per month on September 5th. That could account for the jump in the cloud subscriptions. I see it as a desperate move to entice a loss of customer enthusiasm. I'm sticking with CS6. I hope this greedy overreach is a financial disaster.

« Reply #5 on: September 17, 2013, 18:26 »
+8
Adobe drew in a fair number of CC subscribers with the limited time offer of PS & LR for $9.99 a month. I didn't go for it as I am for the moment happy with CS6 and LR 4.x and will do everything I possibly can to avoid the CC

I am still holding out hope that they will come to their senses and continue to offer perpetual licenses as well as pseudo-Cloud subscriptions (there's almost nothing cloud about it; you have to download the apps to your devices). It's great to have the CC option for those who want it.

Adobe shafted their loyal customers and I don't want them to go out of business, but I do want them to get hit so hard that they remember that without customers they have no business.

Couple of articles on this:

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2013/09/14/why-you-shouldnt-panic-if-adobe-earnings-fall.aspx
http://www.bloomberg.com//news/2013-09-17/adobe-sales-profit-miss-estimates-as-subscriptions-grow.html

Clearly the investors see the potential in getting users hooked....

The actual users of their software aren't so thrilled though :)

http://forums.adobe.com/message/5684459
« Last Edit: September 17, 2013, 18:35 by jsnover »

EmberMike

« Reply #6 on: September 17, 2013, 18:41 »
+6
Adobe slashed the price for Photoshop & Lightroom to $10 per month on September 5th. That could account for the jump in the cloud subscriptions. I see it as a desperate move to entice a loss of customer enthusiasm. I'm sticking with CS6. I hope this greedy overreach is a financial disaster.

I'm not even on CS6 yet, but eventually I'll upgrade to that version and then just ride it as long as I can. After that, I'll get some other non-subscription product, be it an Adobe product when they realize that enough people still want that, or something from another company.

Either way, I'll never be a cloud subscriber.

« Reply #7 on: September 17, 2013, 18:46 »
+1
Is CS6 the last physical product?  I would like to upgrade my PS7 and AICS.

I won't go to subscription based software to me that's nuts I'd rather have the disk on hand to install and not have issues with cloud related things if something goes wrong on the internet during an update or whatever.  I can see it being useful to those that freelance it's just not for me.

« Reply #8 on: September 17, 2013, 18:50 »
+1
Actually, CS6 was not a physical disk. It was/is a download. Disks are going the way of the dinosaur. I don't think you can upgrade from PS7 to CS6. (only from a former CS version)
« Last Edit: September 17, 2013, 18:56 by rimglow »

« Reply #9 on: September 17, 2013, 18:59 »
+1
I've spent so much money with upgrades over the years. I'm running CS5 and will hold out as long as possible or just look to other software (Phase One perhaps) before investing any more dollars in Adobe.

w7lwi

  • Those that don't stand up to evil enable evil.
« Reply #10 on: September 17, 2013, 20:35 »
0
Actually, CS6 was not a physical disk. It was/is a download. Disks are going the way of the dinosaur. I don't think you can upgrade from PS7 to CS6. (only from a former CS version)

I purchased CS6 earlier this year and received a hard disc.  So far as I know you can still find hard disc copies on the internet.  Agree you cannot upgrade from PS7 to CS6 (or any other available CS version).  You'll need to purchase the complete stand-alone software.  I got mine for around $400 or so.  Just search the web.

EmberMike

« Reply #11 on: September 17, 2013, 20:45 »
+1

Unless you're someone who needs/wants the latest and greatest software all the time, I don't see Cloud making much sense financially. I'm looking on ebay at Illustrator CS4 and seeing it going for between $50 and $100. I'm perfectly content with CS4, so even if I needed new software today, I'd opt for CS4 as it is very inexpensive now. In a few years, CS5 will be the same, then CS6 years after that.

Versus what, less than a year on the cloud for the same money? No way...


« Reply #12 on: September 17, 2013, 21:01 »
+1
I completely agree with you all!

I think to use it one has yo be connected to the web?!

If you are on a plane or somewhere else with out Internet ... Would using the software not possible?

Sometimes I skip a version or get it late... Sometimes it's not in the budget ... CC is like "leasing a car"

« Reply #13 on: September 17, 2013, 21:11 »
0
Oops!  Upgrade was a poor word choice I made.  I'll hunt around online to see if I can't get a physical disk somewhere.  I only use PS and AI both of which severely outdated.  If I can't get CS6 I'll try to go up to at least CS5 on both and that should do me for awhile.

« Reply #14 on: September 17, 2013, 23:17 »
+1
I completely agree with you all!

I think to use it one has yo be connected to the web?!

If you are on a plane or somewhere else with out Internet ... Would using the software not possible?

Sometimes I skip a version or get it late... Sometimes it's not in the budget ... CC is like "leasing a car"

Adobe CC only needs to connect to the internet once per month to make sure that you are still a subscriber.

« Reply #15 on: September 18, 2013, 00:23 »
0

Unless you're someone who needs/wants the latest and greatest software all the time, I don't see Cloud making much sense financially. I'm looking on ebay at Illustrator CS4 and seeing it going for between $50 and $100. I'm perfectly content with CS4, so even if I needed new software today, I'd opt for CS4 as it is very inexpensive now. In a few years, CS5 will be the same, then CS6 years after that.

Versus what, less than a year on the cloud for the same money? No way...

I definitely don't need that latest and greatest, but I find it convenient. It is a pretty small business expense. Some may find it unnecessary, but I enjoy the convenience of it.

« Reply #16 on: September 18, 2013, 02:30 »
0
Sounds like the perfect time for a competitor to step up.

Indeed but who ? I see many decent RAW converters around that one day could be on par or even beat Lightroom but for PS there's not even competition, Paint Shop Pro is just out of their league, let alone GIMP and other cr-ap.


« Reply #17 on: September 18, 2013, 03:55 »
+10
Every single day I'm annoyed over how bad Illustrator is. It's packed with bugs and flaws that hasn't been fixed in years, and they never improve any of the basic tools. The pen tool has been the same since the first Illustrator version from 1987. To get all the functions that you (and everbody else) want you have to buy all the Astute Graphics plugins and maybe download a few scripts and other plugins.

So up yours, Adobe! I'm happy to see you struggle.

« Reply #18 on: September 18, 2013, 04:25 »
+4
Anyone thinking about getting cheap copies of the software online might want to read this guy's experience first http://tonysleep.co.uk/node/586.
OK the blog's a few years old, but I'll bet nothing has changed.
I don't use Adobe products. They always have been too expensive (for me as a business cost) IMO. What's happened as far as their falling profit goes, is that they have been offering less and less new "must have" features for the cost of upgrading every year or so.
It'd be a cold day in Hell before I'd pay for a subscription to use any software!

BoBoBolinski

« Reply #19 on: September 18, 2013, 08:20 »
-1
"Every single day I'm annoyed over how bad Illustrator is."

I think it's great, as it happens, I don't find bugs personally, and I also like the subscription model. All my clients have the latest version, it looks unprofessional having to ask people to save images down to older versions, I'm happy to pay, it's considerably less cash outlay compared to buying the latest version outright too, and it's tax deductible anyway.

« Reply #20 on: September 18, 2013, 09:10 »
+1
I think we're witnessing a new era of computing : in many fields the software has reached full maturity, all the important features have been developed and there's little left to add to convince buyers to buy upgrades.

This is true for PS but also many others.

So now they're switching to pay-per-use but this makes no sense for users as they can see by themselves they will just receive some bug fixes and very small new features at best.

From a technology perspective, these products are complete, their mission is finished, they're like an old successful car that is still sold over and over and get some minor makeover from time to time but if we talk about productivity where's the big difference between CS4/5 and CS7 ?

Users will be forced to upgrade as CS4 can't run on Win8 but now they've a good reason to look for alternatives.
There are even free Raw converters that do a good job, see RawTherapee and similar lightroom "clones" that look promising.

Nothig will replace PS but i can certainly do 80-90% of my workflow with a free clone of LR if i want, i never spent time on the cheaper alternatives before but now i could and i can see RawTherapee being more advanced than LR in many ways.

Or i could stick to pirated warez like anyone else here in Asia, up to you Adobe !


« Reply #21 on: September 18, 2013, 09:21 »
0
I don't want to go to the cloud either and I'll stick with CS6 as long as I can but I know I'll eventually be forced to do something different.  Adobe refuses to support new cameras in older versions of their products.  I was perfectly happy with CS4 but I was forced to go to CS6 when I got my 5D Mark III.  Eventually I'll upgrade to a new camera body and I'll be forced to make a move again.  I hate that.

« Reply #22 on: September 18, 2013, 09:22 »
0
.
« Last Edit: May 12, 2014, 09:58 by Audi 5000 »

« Reply #23 on: September 18, 2013, 09:47 »
+2
I think we're witnessing a new era of computing : in many fields the software has reached full maturity, all the important features have been developed and there's little left to add to convince buyers to buy upgrades.

This is true for PS but also many others.

So now they're switching to pay-per-use but this makes no sense for users as they can see by themselves they will just receive some bug fixes and very small new features at best.

From a technology perspective, these products are complete, their mission is finished, they're like an old successful car that is still sold over and over and get some minor makeover from time to time but if we talk about productivity where's the big difference between CS4/5 and CS7 ?

Users will be forced to upgrade as CS4 can't run on Win8 but now they've a good reason to look for alternatives.
There are even free Raw converters that do a good job, see RawTherapee and similar lightroom "clones" that look promising.

Nothig will replace PS but i can certainly do 80-90% of my workflow with a free clone of LR if i want, i never spent time on the cheaper alternatives before but now i could and i can see RawTherapee being more advanced than LR in many ways.

Or i could stick to pirated warez like anyone else here in Asia, up to you Adobe !

You do realize that there is more to the suite than just those 2 programs (not to mention storage and partner deals). I think the cloud is a great direction for them to pursue. It offers an endless supply of new products and services that they can test and implement while still maintaining and improving existing ones.

Ron

« Reply #24 on: September 18, 2013, 10:04 »
0
Slightly off topic, but CR 8.1 is now only available through updates in CS6, here is the direct link though in case you need  it.

Direct download link for Camera Raw 8.1 plugin: http://swupdl.adobe.com/updates/oobe/aam20/win/PhotoshopCameraRaw7-7.0/8.1.79/setup.zip

« Reply #25 on: September 18, 2013, 11:04 »
0
I don't want to go to the cloud either and I'll stick with CS6 as long as I can but I know I'll eventually be forced to do something different.  Adobe refuses to support new cameras in older versions of their products.  I was perfectly happy with CS4 but I was forced to go to CS6 when I got my 5D Mark III.  Eventually I'll upgrade to a new camera body and I'll be forced to make a move again.  I hate that.

FYI, I was able to get support for a newer camera (Nikon D800) and lens (Nikon 70-200mm F/4) without paying for an upgrade.  I'm running CS5; when I installed the free 30 day trial of CS6 it installed the latest camera profiles, including the one I needed.  I recently installed the trial of CC, which added support for my new lens.  Adobe keeps all the Camera Raw support files in one location, so the old version gets the new profiles when you install newer software, even if you don't license it.

« Reply #26 on: September 18, 2013, 11:35 »
0
Adobe acquired Macromedia with good product called Lightroom which allow them to enter niche they were not present before. Now they dominated this market and no competitor can get close to their product because they used code from other product that was already dominant. Soon they will kill off competitors there too. Nobody can stop then unless they collapse which might be beneficial to customers. When Kodak bankrupted its products did not go away. Other companies picked up bits and pieces and nobody cries after fallen giant.

« Reply #27 on: September 18, 2013, 11:45 »
0
Adobe acquired Macromedia with good product called Lightroom which allow them to enter niche they were not present before. Now they dominated this market and no competitor can get close to their product because they used code from other product that was already dominant. Soon they will kill off competitors there too. Nobody can stop then unless they collapse which might be beneficial to customers. When Kodak bankrupted its products did not go away. Other companies picked up bits and pieces and nobody cries after fallen giant.

I think the thing is a lot of those acquisitions weren't bad for consumers. Instead of having to buy Dreamweaver or Flash separately, you could get it bundled. Same thing with the fall of Quark. Not saying it is all roses, but it used to cost a bunch to buy all this software (even in box form) from a multitude of companies.

tab62

« Reply #28 on: September 18, 2013, 11:49 »
0
thanks Ron! Just got it today by checking for updates. You were right about the newer version...

« Reply #29 on: September 18, 2013, 12:03 »
0
Wed Sep 18, 2013 7:35am EDT
From Reuters:

** ADOBE SYSTEMS INC, Tuesday close $48.14, up 6 pct after market

The company, known for its Photoshop and Acrobat software, expects subscriber growth to top the 331,000 it added in the third quarter due to strong demand from corporate customers.


It seems the Market is a believer in Adobe's direction . . . . .

« Reply #30 on: September 18, 2013, 12:07 »
+1
I must be the only one here that is a CC subscriber, is happy with the product and doesn't mind the $50 a month cost.  :o


« Reply #31 on: September 18, 2013, 20:43 »
+1
Perhaps!  I see no problem in them offering it, just them removing the perpetual license.

« Reply #32 on: September 18, 2013, 21:14 »
0
I must be the only one here that is a CC subscriber, is happy with the product and doesn't mind the $50 a month cost.  :o

You're not the only one. I use much more than just Photoshop and Lightroom, though. That makes it a much better deal for me.

« Reply #33 on: September 19, 2013, 04:26 »
0
Perhaps!  I see no problem in them offering it, just them removing the perpetual license.
Only so long before that'll be reinstated at a guess. I can't see the $9.99 a month offer being much of a deal for them. It values the software at $120 an upgrade (if you reckon on yearly upgrades), instead of several hundred dollars. If I could get PS and LR outright for 120 over here (that's another thing why do dollars always get changed to Pounds with a 1:1 exchange rate?) I'd probably use them. I'm not having their hand in my pocket every month though. I don't personally "do" monthly payments for anything.
It is different if you need the software to collaborate with clients or associates though, and no doubt that Illustrator is the best vector package at the moment.
One thing that is sure, all these big software houses (and a few other types of business that spring to mind) don't do anything that doesn't directly benefit them.

ShadySue

  • There is a crack in everything
« Reply #34 on: September 19, 2013, 06:33 »
0
Slightly off topic, but CR 8.1 is now only available through updates in CS6,
or CC.

Reef

  • website ready 2026 :)
« Reply #35 on: September 19, 2013, 06:43 »
0
I must be the only one here that is a CC subscriber, is happy with the product and doesn't mind the $50 a month cost.  :o

You're not the only one. I use much more than just Photoshop and Lightroom, though. That makes it a much better deal for me.

I do freelance design so it works for me too! In fact I love it! Has anyone tried Photoshop Touch?

One of the great features about cloud is the 20gigs of storage space available. You can upload your work files there, PS, Illustrator, Indesign and can then view them online from your iPad.

« Reply #36 on: September 19, 2013, 08:01 »
0
I don't want to go to the cloud either and I'll stick with CS6 as long as I can but I know I'll eventually be forced to do something different.  Adobe refuses to support new cameras in older versions of their products.  I was perfectly happy with CS4 but I was forced to go to CS6 when I got my 5D Mark III.  Eventually I'll upgrade to a new camera body and I'll be forced to make a move again.  I hate that.

Actually you just need to upgrade Camera Raw, but some versions of camera raw only work with the latest PS.


« Reply #37 on: September 19, 2013, 08:08 »
0
You do realize that there is more to the suite than just those 2 programs (not to mention storage and partner deals). I think the cloud is a great direction for them to pursue. It offers an endless supply of new products and services that they can test and implement while still maintaining and improving existing ones.

Yeah but i'm a photographer not a designer.
I mean if i really want i could do everything even with PhotoMechanic, i know pros doing it for wire news (Reuters, AFP, etc) or AcdSee Pro or Capture One or View NX or whatever.

Besides, all the best plugins for PS also run standalone so it's up to me to find the better workflow with alternative softwares.



KB

« Reply #38 on: September 19, 2013, 09:13 »
0
Perhaps!  I see no problem in them offering it, just them removing the perpetual license.
Only so long before that'll be reinstated at a guess. I can't see the $9.99 a month offer being much of a deal for them. It values the software at $120 an upgrade (if you reckon on yearly upgrades), instead of several hundred dollars. If I could get PS and LR outright for 120 over here (that's another thing why do dollars always get changed to Pounds with a 1:1 exchange rate?) I'd probably use them.
No, it values the software at $120 per year.

Of course if you could get it for $120 (or even 120), you might buy it. But that's exactly what they don't want. Which is why you can get it for $120, but you get to use it only for one year. There's a huge difference.

« Reply #39 on: September 19, 2013, 12:01 »
0
well, out of curiosity i'm downloading Corel Paint Shop Pro X6, let's see ...

« Reply #40 on: September 22, 2013, 14:02 »
0
Will be interesting to see what you think - I mainly use capture NX2 and a bit of Paint Shop for a few things find it OK but a bit unstable but its a fraction of the price of photoshop and I don't do a heck of a lot of manipulation.

« Reply #41 on: September 22, 2013, 19:38 »
0
I also use Capture NX2 extensively.  A great and unappreciated program that has unfortunately been allowed to die by Nikon.

BoBoBolinski

« Reply #42 on: September 23, 2013, 00:20 »
-1
Quote
A great and unappreciated program that has unfortunately been allowed to die by Nikon

Is this true? I use NX2 a lot and agree it's a great piece of software, I wasn't aware it had been allowed to die. If I Google it it seems available still and is supported and mentioned on the Nikon site.

« Reply #43 on: September 23, 2013, 05:03 »
0
 "great and unappreciated program that has unfortunately been allowed to die by Nikon".... not dead but not updated for years other than for new cameras so it is gradually seeming outdated. However once you are used to it its a great piece of software still. The book by Mike Hagen is an  excellent guide.

« Reply #44 on: September 24, 2013, 13:17 »
0
Isn't it Corel (PaintShop Pro 5 and 6 now) a fair alternative to Adobe? I work with corel and I"m quite satisfied. Ok, I not the ultimate specialist in IT and Photography and all but one Micro Stock photographer can do a pretty good job with it. Just saying...Once, a few years ago I've worked with Photoshop and a bit with Illustrator but now they are too * expensive for me...

ACS

« Reply #45 on: September 24, 2013, 13:43 »
+1
I must be the only one here that is a CC subscriber, is happy with the product and doesn't mind the $50 a month cost.  :o

I pay 17 $ for AI only. (I have Elements 11 and NX2 for photos, Premiere Elements 11 for videos.) I think it does worth the price.


 

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