The New "subscription business model": Have you completely succumbed to it yet?

[BKKKevin]

Would you pay $18 month for a warm butt?…. 
 

https://www.theverge.com/2022/7/12/23204950/bmw-subscriptions-microtransactions-heated-seats-feature

[Negita43]

16 hours ago, GammaGlobulin said:

These days, I would never subscribe to any products from Microsoft, for example, such as Office.

I have Office 2007 (and 2010) which I never update) and about a couple of months ago they stopped working (I expect as a process to get me to update to office 365 - NO CHANCE). I use Libre Office - a learning curve but very similar to Office.

Similarly my GPS (SYGIC) offers me an "update" to premium for a very low price but I know if I bite that will be an annual subscription as opposed to my "lifetime" purchase for my original product and who knows what the next years "subscription" will be - I have asked but no answer.

I understand these companies have to make profits but now they want me to pay for their mistakes.

[jaywalker2]

14 minutes ago, Negita43 said:

I have Office 2007 (and 2010) which I never update) and about a couple of months ago they stopped working (I expect as a process to get me to update to office 365 - NO CHANCE). I use Libre Office - a learning curve but very similar to Office.

Similarly my GPS (SYGIC) offers me an "update" to premium for a very low price but I know if I bite that will be an annual subscription as opposed to my "lifetime" purchase for my original product and who knows what the next years "subscription" will be - I have asked but no answer.

I understand these companies have to make profits but now they want me to pay for their mistakes.

you can activate office for free (later versions as well). https://massgrave.dev/

[Negita43]

58 minutes ago, jaywalker2 said:

you can activate office for free (later versions as well). https://massgrave.dev/

Thanks for the link doesn't appear to support 2007 or 2010 which I have genuine licenses for but does supply url for 2016 download so I will give it a try tomorrow

Thanks again

[Prubangboy]

I have Youtube, ThaiPod and New York Magazine. And Morningstar and Seeking Alpha for investing.

 

No to streaming services. I might get bored and cycle through Netflix and Hulu and then drop them at some point.

 

I share a password on Criterion Films. I passed on Spotify. Youtube has more music than I can ever hope to listen to.

[GammaGlobulin]

16 hours ago, novacova said:

Downloading MS products off of torrents and goofy hacks isn’t necessary to getting around paying for MS software 

 

MS is garbage.

Why should I care about goofy MS hacks?

Just use Linux, and all will be well.

No stress.

 

Also, MS Office?

How do you use your goofy hacks to download and use Office, including MS Word????

 

 

[Baht Simpson]

In my past life I have never paid a subscription online to anything. And in my future life I never will. If anything demands subscription I just do without it. 

 

Of more concern to me is the free apps which are becoming more and more invasive. The model now is not to tempt the viewer with useful ad-ons but to irritate the life out of us with longer and longer unstoppable ads until we relent. That and re-directs that take you to another site like Lazada. 

 

I've ditched so many apps recently. 

[novacova]

5 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

MS is garbage.

That is your personal opinion.

Some software will not function on anything but a MS OS. Been using for research since the 80’s and still use it without any problems. Your Linux is limited and cannot come close to being able to handle the cross platform software I’ve used. Just use what works best for you, no sense in hyping up or cutting down, it appears to have a lack of understanding.

[Negita43]

19 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

Just use Linux, and all will be well.

No stress.

Not true I am afraid - massive learning curve

[Negita43]

The point for me is this - I had licensed copies of office 2007 and 2010 and yet it seems Microsoft have stopped them being functional (and yes I know Microsoft's overbearing license terms) BUT it's sharp practise because they want to increase their profits - no other reason and don't give me the "security" arguement that's my risk and I am willing to take it.

[dingdongrb]

The subscription process started years ago without most folks not even knowing it.

 

HP started it by basically giving away free inkjet printers and then making their revenue by charging an 'arm & leg' for a refill cartridge. 

[Negita43]

Just now, dingdongrb said:

HP started it by basically giving away free inkjet printers and then making their revenue by charging an 'arm & leg' for a refill cartridge. 

That's a well known ploy for all printer manufacturers but there are many ways round it.

[dingdongrb]

47 minutes ago, Negita43 said:

That's a well known ploy for all printer manufacturers but there are many ways round it.

Sure it's well known now but when it first started not many was one the wiser.... That strategy was the forerunner for the subscription process used today by nearly everyone who can.

 

NOTE: There's many ways around everything if you dig hard enough to learn them.....  streaming, SW apps, OS licensing.....and heaven forbid, even how to get a Thai Visa Extension without having the required money in the bank...... 😁

 

 

[GammaGlobulin]

1 hour ago, dingdongrb said:

The subscription process started years ago without most folks not even knowing it.

 

HP started it by basically giving away free inkjet printers and then making their revenue by charging an 'arm & leg' for a refill cartridge. 

 

Yes.

And then....

HP Laser Jets became junk in storage as soon as the laserjet cartridge and fuser was used up, the first time.