I expect a product to be supported, in all aspects, until I can no longer get parts to repair it. I can still buy parts for my 25 year old Nissan truck. They're still supporting their legacy products.
In this case, the software is a "part" that can no longer be obtained, therefore, the product has reached it's end-of-life (without resorting to removing the storage media). I'm just surprised that a small piece of software code can't be easily created and distributed to keep the hardware in optimal operating condition. I would even be inclined to purchase an updated driver for this camera if that's their issue, but it looks like it doesn't even exist.
I understand products not being supported on the hardware side. Manufactured parts for the hardware are not easily replaced, unless parts are warehoused for later use after the production cycle has ended.
But not the software side. It's not like they have to build a new driver from scratch. It's such a simple thing to provide. I don't need a whole new app. In fact, I don't use their apps anyway. Windows device drivers are not complex or difficult to code. Just take the last version and update it for the new OS. This is not computer rocket science. Yes, it takes time and money to create an updated version. That's OK, just charge a reasonable price for the updated software and move on.
When I "face the music", my instinct is to not get dead ended again. Yes, I got my money's worth ($725 in 2002 plus $$$ for accessories), but that doesn't mean I should throw the camera away and start the process all over again. Only to get dead ended again in a few years when a new OS shows up.
I'm sorry that the Canon Community forum can't provide any better solutions to, what must be, a common problem for older Canon digital cameras, than "give it up" or spend more money. I have a old Canon Elan IIe film camera that's in perfect condition and will be quite usable as long as film is available.
I could have probably written my own Windows camera driver in the time I've spent looking for a Canon solution. I've got a couple more angles to try before giving up, but I think I've exhausted the options this forum discussion can offer. It's become very clear that a simple solution for my issue is not available.
Thanks for your comments.
