So This Is Progress?

Okay, gripe of the day: why is it that software has to have so many updates? For example, my favorite suite of software is Studio MX from Macromedia - indispensable tools for my job as a web developer. But every year, they come out with a whole new pile of products. Two years ago it was Flash 5 and Dreamweaver UltraDev 4. Last year it was the whole Studio MX line. A few months ago, brand new Studio MX 2004. And each upgrade costs money. And this is but one of many, many examples...

So why does this burn me? Two reasons. The first, of course, is the money - constant outflux of money. If I only relied on one or two programs, perhaps I could keep up. But how many professionals use only one or two programs? I'm usually using one or two at a time. These costs can add up - I could easily see a single workstation taking more than a few thousand or so a year just to stay caught up with the upgrades. And when your a business with scores of computers? Forget about it...

My second gripe is this - do they realize how long it takes to learn their new program? I mean, we're not talking one or two small changes here - sometimes the entire interface is redesigned. For example, in the new version of MM's Flash program, not only are there several new interface "features," but the entire scripting language has been overhauled (and this on top of a minor overhaul last year). How does one fine the time to keep up with the changes? Again, it might not be so bad with one or two programs, but six or seven? The whole point of buying these programs is to be able to do work, not learning how to do work.

I know, I know - even software developers have families that have to eat. And obviously there's enough people out there willing to buy the upgrades on a yearly (or less) basis. But the divide is growing. Last year several studies found that most US businesses were still using Windows 98 and Office 97 - programs that are now five + years old. Why? Price of upgrades. Many chose to suffer with less (which had been working just fine, thank you) than risk the costs (money and time) of more. Which I think is great - democracy in action. But at the same time there's the constant pressure to know the latest in the latest by yesterday, but some of that isn't possible without the newest baubles and bangles (or at least it isn't as "convenient" without them). So what's a guy/gal/technoratti with no cash to do?