How is that a boomer complaint? It’s basic. Microsoft Word should be buy once for 3 computers, as it always was until subs took over.

We can’t even read the news anymore without a sub.

I like the use of the word rent for this.

I think it depends on the type of software. Subscriptions do make sense for software that requires regular updates, e.g. something tax related, where you need it updated with the latest regulations every year. Basically for anything that won’t be useful a year from the purchase date without feature updates.