From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

On 30 Jan 2026, Bruce wrote
(in article<35aa8936-1fa6-470b-bba9-1f1cea151b91@scorecrow.com>):

This bit is quite shitty. From Apple's website:

Projects in Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, and Pixelmator Pro remain on
all your devices, and you can copy or share them to any other
device. To open or edit a project, you need to be an active
subscriber.

So you can't even open an old project once your subscription lapses,
even if only just to remind yourself what's in there?

I bought Final Cut Pro a few years ago. Does this mean I mustnrCOt rCyupdaterCO to 12.0, or does this restriction on opening old projects only apply to those who subscribe to Creator Studio?

I like to keep up with the latest versions, but have no intention of subscribing, and there are so many new features in Final Cut Pro 12.0 rCo the idea of using AI to enhance my videos fills me with inexpressible emotion.

MST

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From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

On 1 Feb 2026, Brock McNuggets wrote
(in article<697ebc0e$0$20$882e4bbb@reader.netnews.com>):

With Microsoft and Adobe (Photoshop and Lightroom), I ended up grudgingly accepting it. Of the two, I get more value out of Adobe (terabyte plan, often allowing me to upload photos while I'm still out and about, and edit from anywhere). If it wasn't for work, either Libre Office or Google would be fine for me.

I used to have MS Office and Photoshop. I no longer do. I do miss them from time to time but cannot justify the cost. I do have a Mac and might get their bundle, but only because with the EDU pricing it is so cheap.

You have checked Affinity, havenrCOt you?

The previous trio (Affinity Photo, Designer, Publisher) were excellent apps offering excellent value. They were one-off purchases.

TheyrCOve now been replaced by one app, Affinity. ItrCOs more logical and easier to have everything combined into one app, but itrCOs a subscription model, albeit that the subscription is free - for now.

MST

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From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

On 5 Feb 2026 at 07:01:38 GMT, Old John wrote:

On 4 Feb 2026 at 09:21:15 GMT, "Alan B" <alanrichardbarker@gmail.com.invalid> wrote:

On 2026-02-04, Old John <watcombeman@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:

On 3 Feb 2026 at 21:50:50 GMT, "RJH" <patchmoney@gmx.com> wrote:

On 30 Jan 2026 at 09:44:29 GMT, Martin S Taylor wrote:

What do we think? Apple moving to the subscription model for apps? Core apps
still available as stand-alone, but rCycertain featuresrCO only available to
subscribers. IrCOm suspicious, but trying to keep an open mind.

I'd like to think that Apple was rich enough to provide core apps (Pages, >>>> Numbers say) as existing - included with the OS, and therefore tied to their
hardware. But hey, we are where we are etc.

I'm having to look closely at using Numbers and Pages as my main apps - I've
got MS Office but it keeps messing about and going into read only mode unless
I follow increasingly Byzantine recovery procedures. This happened a few days
ago and I've not managed to get it to work. And I'm not paying a subscription.

I realise I'd have to learn new ways of doing things, but are the existing >>>> free versions up to replacing MS Office? I suppose LibreOffice is a good >>>> candidate but I don't like the interface.

I'd guess it's wait and see for the subscuption versions - can't see me >>>> needing AI though.

I downloaded the new Pages and Numbers independently from Apple Creator Studio
(which I have not downloaded). No mention of a subscription for either. The >>> old versions came up with flags saying that they would no longer be supported
and a link for the new ones.

Also, both are still in the App Store independently of Apple Creator Studio.

AI may be very clever and all that, but I don't need it either. And I'm not >>> sure thatt the current AI bubble won't burst, as did the .com bubble around >>> the millennium.

The trouble is a lot of people are rushing into it headlong, believing
everything AI tells them. It's certainly here to stay and won't "burst"
but people should use it as a guide rather than gospel.

My second son says that he never trusts AI unless he can get confirmation from
a non-AI independent source.

This is after a question of his was answered by referring to work done by one C*** B*** (abbreviated). The problem was that C*** B*** is an alias he himself
created on Facebook as aid to privacy.

A classic example of data incest.

It happens!

I used to work as a low-mid grade academic in universities - retired 2021. AI was not a thing (way) back then.

Now, I gather from ex-colleagues I see from time to time, it's embeded. Learning materials are created, updated, and edited using AI. Students use AI to create assessed work, which is then marked using AI. Grade appeals are rare (in case AI is found to be at work - spotted by AI) but when they happen, the grounds are generated by AI.

Research, PhDs and the like - open season. I don't think anyone really knows what's going on.

The plagiarism tools (Turnitin etc.) are easily circumvented, they say. It
does take some work - checking and varying sources, changing styles and so on. But that's basic editing, and ever thus.

Can't see how it can be sustained.

Anyway, glad I'm out of it :-)
--
Cheers, Rob, Sheffield UK
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