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Subscription Software... There was a time when software didn't expire, nor did they need updates. Some of the earliest programs could be installed on several computers at the same time because the serial numbers didn't register with the vendor. From my reference, the first software requiring updates was the early anti-virus variety that checked your serial number to confirm was registered.. before allowing you to update. That was protocol for years until they (manufacturers) weren't selling new product so they eventually stopped offering updates forcing you to buy the new version or (what they didn't want happen) go elsewhere and buy from another vendor. Some companies (like Norton) made it extremely difficult to remove their program(s) and many ended up renewing subscriptions simply because of the trouble removing the program... Yes, the program they disliked so much. Because of the costs in packaging programs/software, companies offered downloadable versions that were cheaper than the boxed sets. This accounts for most of the products today. In previous blogs, I mentioned software vendors are putting end dates to their programs and will (in many cases) stop working completely, or work with a minimal of features... including watermarking files and output to let everyone know you need to "pay-up" to get the reminder off your work. My office bought 6 new computers this month and plans to set them up for 'cloud computing' by monthly subscription instead of purchasing software as they did in the past. Updates come automatically. Cross platform file sharing is the new standard. You could be working a file in the office, head to a meeting and complete the document from your smartphone, tablet or remote desktop computer without having to copy the file to a memory stick or emailing it to yourself to work later. I have mixed feelings about this technology. If several people need to see and use the same document, it's a great advantage. In this world of security leaks and hacking I dislike the fact that every document is stored 'somewhere' encrypted or not, sensitive documents are vulnerable. Some of the people in my office use the DropBox service for file sharing. I avoid it like the plague. Speaking about files that are stored off-site. It was just over a decade ago when the Twin Towers came down and somehow ALL the Enron files were lost in the collapse of WTC7. That secured bunker also housed data for several government agencies and I don't recall them loosing critical data. I question why the courts and attorneys on both coasts most likely had mirrored (or central) sites where their teams referenced data... Hmmm, I smell BS, don't you? Anyway, expect to see more subscription software in the future. |
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I heard a horror story about cloud computing from a person who claimed the site was hacked and their work disappeared. Another negative story was the $19.95 monthly fee jumped to $49.95 and they were unable to remove their work because it was linked to the cloud software and incompatible with any other existing software... or so they were led to believe.
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RY, I was able to clone drives on XP with no problems. Doing it on W7 requires having a rescue CD. Fortunately, I burned one before the drive failed.
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