Adobe Creative Suite 2 Announced

[numediaman]

I like Elements, but I must say there are at least two MAJOR reasons to use Photoshop over Elements: typography and precision. For simple, and effective picture editing Elements is great. But Photoshop is still the king for complex graphics work.

As for Creative Suite: CS is a great way to get InDesign, GoLive and Acrobat from an upgrade from Photoshop -- and while $750 seems like a lot, it is still cheaper than buying them one at a time.

What really needs an upgrade is Adobe's attitude towards customer support!

 

[jblakeh1]

I managed to find this on photoshopnews.com:

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Photoshop CS2 has added the Animation palette (exporting animated GIFs via Save for Web), as well as the Variables feature (allowing Photoshop to import data from spreadsheets, databases, etc., automatically replace text and pixel data, and generate files). It also adds the object-based UI debuted in ImageReady CS.
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...so does this mean I won't have to jump back and forth from Photoshop to ImageReady finally? That would be worth the upgrade price for me...

 

[swissmann]

From all that I have read, it sounds like this is going to be a very non event. Some say there are really good things, but I've only heard of meager things. Now if they threw in some awesome noise reduction, that would be something to buy.

That is how I feel about pretty much every Photoshop update. If they took the improvements over 2 or even 3 updates and wrapped them all up into one update it would be more appropriate I think.

 

[mstinnett]

Activation Indeed

Is it because of the product activation that Adobe is charging less for this version? Do they think all those casual pirates are going to buy legally now (they probably will)?

I have four G4s and one G5, with plans to buy four more (2 G4, 2 G5) this year. I have never stolen software before, but I think I've also purchased my last copy of Adobe software. I may be the minority with a need for at least six and preferably seven computers for personal use, but unlike all those polls about "how many songs do you actually listen to in your library?" threads, the uncommon case matters here. This isn't a thread of annoyance at people complaining of lack of iPod hard drive size, this is a fundamental flaw in the licensing selected by software makers. It is flexible installation that allows users to legally use software in unforseen, and possibly unlicensed (but still legally paid for and used on personal machines only), circumstances.

I had to re-install Windows XP for my brother, and I used the treat-the-user-like-an-idiot phone system to activate. That was the last activation I will ever go through.

Adobe is important enough to graphic designers that Adobe are allowed to use product activation, and the hobbyists feel the result. I'm not a graphic desginer but rather a hobbyist who enjoys playing with the best tools in the industry. I would wager that a good amount (perhaps not a majority, but a noticeable sum) of Adobe's revenue comes from users like me. And alot of the users like me are probably those casual pirates that activation is stopping.

I hope that the casual pirates don't end up buying the software. Most of my eighteen personal-use computers are quite dated, but still functional, and I would like to remind everyone considering to bending to Adobe's ego for hobby purposes that most users (myself included) don't need much more than an SE/30 to be happy computer users (although I do enjoy iTunes).

-Michael

 

[zoozx]

That is how I feel about pretty much every Photoshop update. If they took the improvements over 2 or even 3 updates and wrapped them all up into one update it would be more appropriate I think.

Agreed, This whole CS thing is crap. It has slowed down development of each product so that it can be sold as a package that works together. How many people actually use all of the programs/. Some I'm sure, but most only use 1 or 2 of them regularly and possibly a third on the rare occasion.
I would much rather see them spend more effort in advancing PS, working the bugs out and having it take advantage of system improvements as soon as they are available. They have done NONE of that.
As a matter of fact Adobe won't take advantage of Mac features until the pc is up to snuff and can be an equivalent product.
CS 3 might take advantage of tiger in a year or 2.
Activation on a Mac? I'll pass on cs poo

 

[Blue Velvet]

It is flexible installation that allows users to legally use software in unforseen, and possibly unlicensed (but still legally paid for and used on personal machines only), circumstances.

However, that Adobe EULA only permits the use of that software on 2 machines simultaneously, provided that the two machines are not networked and that the licensed software is not used at the same time.

If you wish to use an unlicensed installation surely that's your problem, not Adobe's...

 

[mstinnett]

However, that Adobe EULA only permits the use of that software on 2 machines simultaneously, provided that the two machines are not networked and that the licensed software is not used at the same time.

If you wish to use an unlicensed installation surely that's your problem, not Adobe's...

You're right, and I tried to call Adobe to purchase seven licenses for personal use. They require the user to purcahse through a reseller for a multiple license installation. I'm trying to use CDW, but since the product is new, they don't yet know about it. From what I can tell, it's going to cost about $7,000.

So the problem I have is not with activation, but rather the EULA and cost of each license. Thanks for the heads up.

-Michael

 

[Blue Velvet]

You're right, and I tried to call Adobe to purchase seven licenses for personal use. They require the user to purcahse through a reseller for a multiple license installation. I'm trying to use CDW, but since the product is new, they don't yet know about it. From what I can tell, it's going to cost about $7,000.

So the problem I have is not with activation, but rather the EULA and cost of each license. Thanks for the heads up.

I must ask: what sort of casual hobbyist needs 7 licenses of Photoshop? 😕

 

[mstinnett]

I must ask: what sort of casual hobbyist needs 7 licenses of Photoshop? 😕

My parents own five houses. I decided to only live in two, plus a dorm room. The houses each have two desktops and a latop that will run CS2, and my dorm room will have one laptop. I have alot of trouble with iTunes music store files also.

-Michael

 

[alexf]

After a quick overview of new features I am left feeling very unimpressed...

Let's just hope that this release of GoLive is not a bad as the last, so I can actually use it instead of having to revert back to 6.0.

 

[jydesign]

Cool, it looks like ImageReady might finally be dead. I hope so, I've grown weary of having to deal with too such similar apps...

 

[jaw04005]

There will be an educational upgrade price. Get in touch with the retailer you got your copy of CS from...

My educational dealer is running Creative Suite 2 Premium Academic for $379.95. This is the full version, Adobe does not provide an upgrade path for Creative Suite 1 educational customers because of the already discounted price.

The campus bookstore says they will have it for $399.99 (Adobe's suggested educational price).

 

[Adelberger@wgAd]

Activation is not a problem

I think Adobes Activation is much more user friendly than others like Quark. Adobes Activation or Deactivation (named "Transfer Activation") is easy done vie Web or Phone. Via Web the activation took me never longer than 7 seconds, the transfer took also 7 seconds of my time. If someone owns 7 computer he needs only to transfer the activation and activate on one of the others computers and he can keep one computer activated. What is here a problem?
If someone tells us that he has installed Photoshop on 7 computer with one licence, he tells us also that he has violated the licence contract in the past.

 

[Blue Velvet]

My educational dealer is running Creative Suite 2 Premium Academic for $379.95. This is the full version, Adobe does not provide an upgrade path for Creative Suite 1 educational customers because of the already discounted price.

The campus bookstore says they will have it for $399.99 (Adobe's suggested educational price).

Really? That's a shame... all our work licenses are edu versions (registered charity) purchased through a large third-party licensing/distributor that specialises in working with the charity sector in the UK.

I'll give them a call when I get back into the office later this week... I guess if that's so, then that's the way it is. 🙁

 

[jaw04005]

Really? That's a shame... all our work licenses are edu versions (registered charity) purchased through a large third-party licensing/distributor that specialises in working with the charity sector in the UK.

I'll give them a call when I get back into the office later this week... I guess if that's so, then that's the way it is. 🙁

They probally offer better rates for site licenses compared with individual copies though. That's what the reseller told me anyway.

 

[letsGoOn2]

Activation is here to stay

I am not compelled to upgrade from CS1, but whether you're impressed with CS2 or not you have to acknowledge that companies like Adobe put a lot of resources into their releases and they deserve to be compensated by anyone who decides to use their products.

I'm sure that Adobe would be happy to charge less for CS if they could do it and maintain their profit margin. The problem is that they, like most software companies that lack the benefit of a monopoly, are charging what they must in order to keep the lights on, pay their developers enough to stick around and innovate, and hopefully keep the shareholders happy in the process.

Software pirates are stealing from paying customers just as much as they're stealing from the software producers, much like the frauds that are responsible for inflating our insurance premiums. I believe that software prices would fall and quality would improve if everyone paid for the software they used. The increased profit margins would affect software companies across the board and competition would drive improvements in quality and reductions in cost.

If software activation is the best means available to protect the software industry from theft then I'm 110% on board. I suspect that more effective authentication methods will be developed in the future, perhaps some form of DRM for software packages, but "activation" is what we have right now and I for one am happy to jump through this proverbial hoop if it contributes to increasing the value of my future purchases.

-Shawn

 

[zoozx]

My parents own five houses. I decided to only live in two, plus a dorm room. The houses each have two desktops and a latop that will run CS2, and my dorm room will have one laptop. I have alot of trouble with iTunes music store files also.

-Michael

5 houses? Only live in 2? Isn't that gluttonous excess?
How do you make that kind of money without a connection, legally, morally or offering a service without taking advantage of of a part of the population?
I'm curious.

 

[mashinhead]

There will be an educational upgrade price. Get in touch with the retailer you got your copy of CS from...

are you sure about that, cos i don't think so. i think you have to repurchase it at the edu price, there is no upgrade.

 

[Blue Velvet]

are you sure about that, cos i don't think so. i think you have to repurchase it at the edu price, there is no upgrade.

Perhaps if you read a little further, say from post 62, you'll see how this conversation developed. 😉

 

[Lacero]

I'd update to Photoshop CS2 just for the HDRI support. Been waiting for this since 2000. What is HDRI?

 

[WarG563]

Product activation is here to stay -- legitimate users should have no complaints. Granted, it is a nuisance but complaints should be directed at the people that have bought this about: warez dealers.

As a "legitimate user" I am tired of having to put up with various methods to ensure that I am able to use the software I have purchased while the warez people continue to defeat every activation scheme out there (including hardware keys) and use the software without a care. We are the people who are funding these companies and they repay our honesty and loyalty by creating hoops that only we will jump through in the end... crazy! 🙁

 

[powerbook911]

I might upgrade Photoshop only, but I haven't decided.

 

[deral]

wow. the announcement made my day. Ha, but I'm still stuck on a G3. I guess that gives me an excuse to buy another computer though.

 

[wdlove]

I was certainly surprised by the price for CS2 of $1,199. It says that for those upgrading you are eligible for $100 off. Those that order before by May will get free shipping and handling. My wife purchased CS, I'm almost certain the she didn't pay anywhere near that amount, event the Standard is a lot at $899.

 

[arkmannj]

Technology Guarantee ?

Does anyone know if Adobe will be offering a Technology guarantee (free upgrade for those of who purchased products with x amount of days of the announcement)
and if so where I could find out more information on it.
I just purchased the Adobe Creative suite, not long ago and it would be rotten luck if they don't.

THANKS!