I set up a workflow for InDesign CS5.0 and everything worked. InDesign CS5.5 came out and they refused to sell me CS5.0. They introduced no new features, but the export as HTML option started producing random crashes. I spoke with their engineers and they said they would fix it in the next version.
We still experience a random crash in 1/30 automated jobs - which requires us to redo a large portion by hand. I don't know if they had fixed it, but I know they want thousands of dollars to upgrade to CS6.0.
Why did this problem happen? Because they released a new version called CS5.5 that introduced only bugs. Using Adobe software feels like you are being robbed.
Still you're using it, because there is no alternative.
Since it's the best software for what it does, your idea that "Adobe must die" is based solely on a fantasy notion that whatever replaces it wont have bugs, and will be all unicorns and love.
Not to mention that the bugs you mention are mostly specific to your workflow (specific automated jobs et al), and don't mean that the most used software in the industry is problematic in general. I've never been biten by any bugs in other parts of 5.5 I use, like PS and Premiere, for example.
I also don't see why you were quick to jump to 5.5 since you "set up a workflow for InDesign CS5.0 and everything worked.".
I setup the work-flow and was ready to deploy. When I went to purchase the licenses, the adobe sales rep said it was their policy to only sell the CS5.5 version.
I feel betrayed because each new version of Adobe's product brings more bugs and no useful features. This is is a direct consequence of adobe's monopoly, which disregards the needs of its users in favor of push new versions down our throats. Reminds of Windows ME.
>I setup the work-flow and was ready to deploy. When I went to purchase the licenses, the adobe sales rep said it was their policy to only sell the CS5.5 version.
That's bad. Adobe does tend to screw their customers in similar business ways.
>I feel betrayed because each new version of Adobe's product brings more bugs and no useful features.
Well, I don't know about InDesign much, but this is not true for: Photoshop, Lightroom and Premiere.
Adobe are the incumbent in this space and, seemingly, will continue to be. There is so much in Photoshop (and other Adobe software) that could be improved from an experience point of view. Simple things like the layers palette need a rethink; there are small inconsistencies with many of the tools; and the software is generally buggy. Often when I get frustrated with the software it's usually over something that one infers is still there due to legacy.
There are a lot of more niche tools coming out which do look really promising, but there are a couple of issues:
1. Professional software is often quite pricey, and understandably so. Even if a company offers a 30 day trial, that sometimes isn't quite enough to evaluate a piece of software.
2. The new tools are rarely compatible with PSDs and other Adobe file formats. I have to sympathise with the software creators here, Adobe file formats are a complete mess, nevertheless it's a required feature for anyone who wants to work with other companies within the industry.
It's a shame really, Adobe's monopoly on creative industry type software is holding everyone back, but no one is really in a position to do anything about it.
I agree, but I feel the wording of the article title is the issue here, I feel that while Photoshop is a great piece of software, there is room for improvement, if this program can achieve that, kudos to the developers.
