[errantspark]

The real reason for the software as a service model is that it makes it easier to extract/capture value. Many SaaS offerings would be better at providing value to customers with non-SaaS architectures, unfortunately providing value to customers is second to providing value to shareholders.

Don't pay for SaaS, don't encourage this bullshit. If foss offerings don't cover your usecase piracy is better for humanity than paying.

[echelon]

So don't pay the engineers that built the product and continue to maintain it?

That's fine with fixed priced software if the software is static and frozen in time, but most software is living and breathing and requires continual investment.

You can absolutely use an old WordStar license. In fact, several notable authors do.

[errantspark]

> So don't pay the engineers that built the product and continue to maintain it?

Saas isn't the only way to pay people.

> most software is living and breathing and requires continual investment

Is it though? or is this broadly another side effect of value extraction focused engineering? I'm quite happy to buy a new version if it makes my life notably easier. CS2 is broadly a better experience than CC, etc. etc.