Photoshop CS2

[kimbo1269]

You know I've been looking around the internet for Photoshop CS2 and I've found that it's rather expensive, I did find some on Ebay of course for much cheaper and it says that it has the codes that I need to to updates and register. I'm not really sure about this, but has anyone ever purchased software from Ebay before?

[premier]

That is a pirated version.

[Emma]

I would steer way clear of it. Nearly all of those are pirated, you can illegally get that for free, you don't need someone to charge you for it: stay honest. Go with an educational discount if you qualify, buy an older version and pay to upgrade it, or buy PSE and wait until Adobe offers a good price for upgrades to PS

[dmrdm]

I found CS2 for $299 about a month ago- if you had elements they had a promotion to upgrade to it. I'd found out about the offer from one of the newsletters I get. I had been looking around Ebay also for a while, but was too scared to try any of those great deals. I've seen a few here and there that said, won a copy and never used it, or was given as a gift and didn't want it....from regular Ebayers....but the ones with no feedback or new sellers, I'd worry about. I've bought a lot off of Ebay but not software. If you're interested in buying a Tablet, one of the Wacom tablets has a deal for CS for $299. There was also a deal that if you had a Canon product you could get CS for $299 - but I tried my serial number for a printer I recently purchased and it wasn't eligible. I was sooooooooo excited to get the upgrade from elements. I think that actually is a smart marketing idea! Sounds like they have it from time to time, I was just never lucky enough to know about it.

[Emma]

Adobe does the PS upgrade promotion about twice a year, more often for certain customers, like Nikon or Wacom owners, etc.

anyone know of a current deal aside from the Wacom tablet? That's a good idea, and a good price there, though!

[LadynRed]

Not all discounted software is pirated. If it can't be registered and you can't upgrade from it, its pirated. If you can register it with a valid number and can upgrade from it, its legit but probably an older version. Companies buy up OEM software to be bundled with new computers. When the new versions come out, they're often left with stock of OEM packages, which they sell at discounted prices and its perfectly legal. Documentation is usually just what's on the CD.

You just need to be VERY careful who you're buying from, so do some research.

[Emma]

Adobe doesn't sell OEM software, except some PSE awhile back. The problem with them saying they have the codes, is that even those can be cracked and pirated! And until you upgrade, you can't really tell if it's valid. And you have NO recourse if you get cheated. So don't believe OEM claims to any Adobe products, and beware cheap CURRENT version software. Used is a little safer, but you have to be VERY careful and assume a lot of risk.

[LadynRed]

Its definitely a buyer beware situation. If Adobe didn't have to charge so damn much for their software and their upgrades it wouldn't be so bad. Even 'student' pricing is ridiculously high. Its the reason my home copy of PS is version 7 :(

Yeah.. you can buy Elements but for a Photoshop user, Elements isn't worth it. PSP is a cheaper product, but for me, going from Photoshop to PSP is like going from the Earth to Mars.

Adobe must sell some OEM software, I could have had a copy of Elements when I bought my new PC last year.

[Emma]

I agree, Adobe is ridicuously priced, but for professional software it's comparatively quite reasonable! For data or project managment, software development, accounting, anything with a premiere suite of software, it can run in the tens of thousands! It's like PS is priced JUST within reach of small home businesses and some personal users, enough to get a smidge of that market share. Their main goal is big pros, we're like a mosquito on the radar!

I know Adobe had PSE2 as OEM to make it available bundled with hardware, computers, scanners, cameras, printers, etc. But I don't think they ever did that with later versions. Perhpas on a limited basis with PSE3. From official sources, I've read that no Adobe OEM exists for anything other than the limited release of some PSE.

PSP can be cheaper than PSE, but for those wanting PS, PSE is a far better choice for familiarity and upgrade pricing. I recommend most of us start with PSE and purchase PS later if they really want it. Not only to avoid spending money like that on a hobby you might not stick with long term, but overall the cost is cheaper to do it that way.

Used software is a good bet from reputable sellers like half.com or Amazon.com

Yes, buyer beware. Email, ask to see a photo of the disk with some original packaging, NOT a photocopied user's manual, and call Adobe sales to find out how you can protect yourself. I wonder what their advice is!

I'd still be using PS 7, Lady, if I wasn't teaching. Upgrades are killing me because I teach 3 programs! Not only costwise, but updating classes themselves.

let us know if you call Adobe sales, and what they have to add! I'd be curious to know!

[Lauren]

Ive got to add that from a designers point of view I feel the need to own Photoshop - however if I wasnt designing full page kits I would be more than happy with PSE - as a programme to create scrapbook layouts - to design basic elements, for photo manipulation - it has more than the average user would require - There is simply no need for the average digital scrapbooker to spend the money on the full version of Photoshop .
Ive also used PSP which is undoubtedly a great programme as well so I have no axe to grind here - but my choice for anyone starting out or developing an interest in digital scrapbooking would be PSE

[LadynRed]

Their main goal is big pros, we're like a mosquito on the radar!
LOL.. ya got that right :)

Until CS came out, PS upgrades weren't all that badly priced, otherwise I'd still be on PS 5. For whatever reason, when CS came out the upgrade price jumped too. Even my brother was ticked at that and he can easily afford to buy anything he wants.

I'll check out Adobe, 'cause now you've got me wondering about it.

[LadynRed]

here is simply no need for the average digital scrapbooker to spend the money on the full version of Photoshop .
Can't argue with ya there :) For most people it IS quite adequate. Since I design graphics and websites for a living, I'm rather fond of Photoshop -- and I've been using it since version 3. Before that I was using CorelDraw, also a great program.