Dev Log - Age of Subscriptions

Consumerism is forced on people and some people like it. I am against it.

Over the past 10 to 20 years, a pattern has been growing stronger, one that increasingly goes against my comfort and my sense of fairness. The most visible example is the rise of subscriptions.

There are cases where subscriptions make sense. Services like telecommunications, television, or radio rely on continuous infrastructure and ongoing costs. In those situations, a recurring model is understandable and actually necessary.

But the problem is how far this model has spread.
What started as a practical solution has turned into a default business strategy. Subscriptions are being pushed into everything, including areas where they simply do not belong. Usually it feels like a reflection of unchecked greed and a constant pressure toward higher consumer spending, forcing of profit. Is it only a feeling? I do not think so. The reality is, I hate it, you hate it, all people hate it, but when you really need a product and have no other way to get it then to subscribe for monthly payment, you either do it or leave it.

I recently bought quite a cheap smart scale. I thought "interesting idea", unless I found out the mobile app is either filled with ads to the brim, or you pay subscription to get rid of them. This is a hostage situation. I've bought the thing, let me have it. Needless to say, I don't use the app, the scale shows weight and that's enough for me. They did not make it smart, but stupid and annoying.

At some point, it becomes too much.

This is where my stance comes in, both as a developer and as a consumer.
I do not like subscriptions. When I pay for a software, I expect to own it. That does not mean it has to be cheap (nor the contrary, overly expensive). I am perfectly fine paying a fair price for a specific version of a product. But once I buy it, it should be mine. And hey, maybe I buy the update, or you give it to me for free with the license. That's a bonus.

That principle defines how I approach my own work.

My software will not be built around subscriptions unless there is a truly unavoidable reason, which is basically impossible. Instead, I aim to offer reasonably priced products that you buy once and keep. Ownership has a value.
At the same time, I do not support piracy or misuse of intellectual property. To address that, I am working on integration of automatic license banning and similar systems. If a license is leaked or used in violation of its terms, it can be permanently revoked. That is a line I consider both fair and necessary, although I am still researching the legal and technological boundaries.

For legitimate users, the deal is simple. If you buy the software and follow the terms, it is yours. Permanently, including updates, because I am not a guy that would sell you the same thing 10 times.

Right now, I am working on several projects. Some will be free and available here, for everyone, though I think I will limit some projects for registered users only, and some projects will be licensed. You will see more of it soon.
For now, I have started with tools like SelfCert and QuickStart. They are small, focused utilities designed to solve specific problems. They are not meant for everyone, and that is fine.

Most of what I build comes from my own needs. I create tools because I use them myself, and there is a good chance someone else might find them useful too. QuickStart, for example, is a simple automation tool I use regularly. It is not trying to be the most advanced solution out there, but it is efficient and reliable. One of its latest features, image recognition, was a functionality I never programmed before, and I am satisfied with how it turned out.

In the end, the idea is straightforward.
If you buy something, you should own it.
This is the standard I apply to my work. Ownership matters.