An Infuriating Goodbye to Photoshop (anderegg.ca)

Article summary

The author, a long-time user of Photoshop, has uninstalled the software due to increasing frustration with its performance, quality issues, and the Creative Cloud app. They had been using Photoshop since the mid-90s and had subscribed to the Creative Cloud version in 2013, but over time, the software had become slow, buggy, and difficult to use. The author has switched to Pixelmator Pro, which they find to be a massive improvement in terms of software quality. They also mention that they are happy to be rid of the Creative Cloud app, which they felt was installing files all over their computer.

Main themes

• Photoshop performance issues
• Creative Cloud problems
• Alternative photo editing software
• Software quality and maintenance
• Subscription models and pricing

What commenters say

• Some users recommend Photopea as a free and similar alternative to Photoshop, with the same keyboard shortcuts and a familiar interface.
• Others suggest that Affinity Photo is a viable alternative, with some even preferring it over Photoshop, but there are concerns about its new ownership by Canva and potential data collection.
• A few users express dissatisfaction with GIMP, feeling that it has failed to meet expectations and become a true alternative to Photoshop, while others defend it as meeting the needs of many users.
• There is a debate about the sustainability of free software models, with some questioning how companies like Canva can offer free products without hidden costs or data collection.
• Some users appreciate the simplicity and quality of alternative software like Acorn and Pixelmator Pro, which they find to be more user-friendly and less bloated than Photoshop.
• The issue of software complexity and feature creep is raised, with some arguing that trying to please all users can lead to a worse experience for everyone, and that it's better to focus on a specific set of features and users.