Why is software so damn expensive to the casual user? Ok so people probably wont agree with me but I just wanted to share my opinion.
Take Office, its £100 here to get the Student and Teacher Edition of Office 2004. That's not too bad but it does not include Access or Outlook.
Next version up (so you can get Access or Outlook) is the standard edition, which is £349.
I don't need Office 2004 enough to want to pay £100, let alone £349... but its more or less the standard software used in business. It's the best out there for what it does - So if im going to use anything id rather my experience be with a product that ill find in use elsewhere. Again if i need the use of a Spreadsheet/Database id rather my experience be with a 'standard' product. It's not just the fact that its the most used either, its also the best tool for the job - lets face it.
My main issue though is not Office, which is something I would have liked, but Photoshop!
£500 for me to get hold of a legal copy of Adobe Photoshop CS2. I mean wtf!! I am not using it in a 'professional' or 'profitable' capasity, I like creating graphics, images etc - Its what I used at college (and whats still used in college for the graphics courses) but im still expected to pay £500! Considering how often Adobe update their products too it would be a poor investment in terms of how quicky it will be 'superceeded' by the next version. I know it will work forever even after Adobe bring out CS7... but working with outdated tools isnt ideal, and the 'upgrade' prices are £139! Not as bad as £500 but jeeze.
Ok, so when i bought my Mac, if i had factored in the prices of this software - the PowerMac i bought would have not been able to meet my needs. Trade off on the hardware for software? didnt seem to make sense.
When i used my PC - I just ended up getting Photoshop and Office one way or another. I know people that work at universitys etc so i can get a copy, or there is P2P. It wasent the best solution, but it was that or my computer's usefulness droped 90%. I bought evrything else, games and such that were within my reach. Since getting my Mac, I wanted to get all the productivity software (well i only use Office and Photoshop but you get the point) legit but im looking at around another £1000!
I guess my point is that there should be versions of Adobe/Office for non-profit use (and not just for students) I would be more than happy with a copy of Adobe Photoshop for £50-£90 with the stipulation that i could not use the software for 'company' or 'profitable' use.
Ok well anyway thats my moan for today
Take Office, its £100 here to get the Student and Teacher Edition of Office 2004. That's not too bad but it does not include Access or Outlook.
Next version up (so you can get Access or Outlook) is the standard edition, which is £349.I don't need Office 2004 enough to want to pay £100, let alone £349... but its more or less the standard software used in business. It's the best out there for what it does - So if im going to use anything id rather my experience be with a product that ill find in use elsewhere. Again if i need the use of a Spreadsheet/Database id rather my experience be with a 'standard' product. It's not just the fact that its the most used either, its also the best tool for the job - lets face it.
My main issue though is not Office, which is something I would have liked, but Photoshop!
£500 for me to get hold of a legal copy of Adobe Photoshop CS2. I mean wtf!!
I am not using it in a 'professional' or 'profitable' capasity, I like creating graphics, images etc - Its what I used at college (and whats still used in college for the graphics courses) but im still expected to pay £500! Considering how often Adobe update their products too it would be a poor investment in terms of how quicky it will be 'superceeded' by the next version. I know it will work forever even after Adobe bring out CS7... but working with outdated tools isnt ideal, and the 'upgrade' prices are £139! Not as bad as £500 but jeeze.Ok, so when i bought my Mac, if i had factored in the prices of this software - the PowerMac i bought would have not been able to meet my needs. Trade off on the hardware for software?
didnt seem to make sense.When i used my PC - I just ended up getting Photoshop and Office one way or another. I know people that work at universitys etc so i can get a copy, or there is P2P. It wasent the best solution, but it was that or my computer's usefulness droped 90%. I bought evrything else, games and such that were within my reach. Since getting my Mac, I wanted to get all the productivity software (well i only use Office and Photoshop but you get the point) legit but im looking at around another £1000!
I guess my point is that there should be versions of Adobe/Office for non-profit use (and not just for students) I would be more than happy with a copy of Adobe Photoshop for £50-£90 with the stipulation that i could not use the software for 'company' or 'profitable' use.
Ok well anyway thats my moan for today
