So with the news yesterday that Adobe is going to a Subscription model I find myself thinking that it is now RansomeWare.
“Ransomware (also referred to in some cases as cryptoviruses, cryptotrojans, cryptoworms or scareware) comprises a class of malware which restricts access to the computer system that it infects, and demands a ransom paid to the creator of the malware in order for the restriction to be removed. Some forms of ransomware encrypt files on the system’s hard drive, while some may simply lock the system and display messages intended to coax the user into paying. Modern ransomware attacks were initially popular within Russia, but in recent years there have been an increasing number of ransomware attacks targeted towards other countries, such as Australia, Germany, and the United States among others.”
So if I don't pay Adobe 50 bucks (or 20 just for Photoshop) a month forever I can kiss my 15 year old archive goodbye. Or whats that you say? "You can edit those files in the Gimp! Stop being so dramatic! You own your files!" Like hell I can edit them and like hell I own them. Adobe does now. All of our collective Archives are wholly owned and controlled by Adobe. Sure the flattened final tiffs are not but can I open PSB files in any other program? (No, I won't call Photoshop an "App" DIAF) Can I open a PSD in any other program with adjustment layers, smart objects and any number of other odd effects? Not without losing half of the effects that make up the look of that file. This is a horrible turn of events for anyone who is a serious image maker.
I find it really interesting that it is announced just after there was a call for a standard layered image format on May 1st. That article got my head to thinking of the, "What If's" and now here we are.
>Cue Godfather music<
"Hey there. Those are some really fine looking imagers ya gots there. That one of those fancy Panowhoramics? Nice, real nice. Bet that could be one of those 16 bit files too? You like those smooth gradients do ya? Ya, those are purty. Be a real shame if you could not, I dunno, let's say, open it. Maybe you want to print it? Maybe edit it down the road. Ya, hate to see something "happen" where you could not do that. O, hey buddy, why ya sweating? We ain't gonna hurt ya. Tell ya what. Pay me and Vinne here, I dunno, lets say 20 bucks a month and we will protect those files for ya. Oh, what's that? You have a Illustrator file as a Smart Object in there? Well, ain't you mister freaking fancy pants! Smart boy here Vinne! Well, we can help ya out for, eh, let's say 50 a month. Payable, let me think here... Vinne what sounds like a good payment plan to you? Forever you say? It does have a nice ring to it don't it? Forever it is then, It's our way of helping ya out, capice'? No, don't thank us, you are very welcome."