Photoshop CS

[gramps]

Anyone know where the best deal to buy PS CS? I've seen price spreads from ~$500.00 down to ~$70.00 for a download version on the net.

[tommykjensen]

Avoid the $70 version at all cost.

Buy an old copy of PS6 for approx $50 then upgrade to CS for $170. That is most likely the cheapest legal way to get PS CS.

[ejwebb]

Where do you get PS6 for $50?

[rosemanbridge]

I know you shouldn't, but I got a copy off the net through Kazaa. It works perfectly.

[tommykjensen]

I found it on eBay.

For example:
http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=65925&item=7116169 774&rd=1

You may need to contact the seller to see if he wants to ship outside Europe.

It is OEM versions that are sold and it is perfectly legal.

[tommykjensen]

I know you shouldn't, but I got a copy off the net through Kazaa. It works perfectly.

Yes along with the nasty worms and backdoors You got at the same time

[rosemanbridge]

Yes along with the nasty worms and backdoors You got at the same time[/quote]

By backdoors I take it you mean Trojans? Actually no, it is a clean version from a trusted user. No problems at all the PC is fine thanks and the ££'s saved were invested elsewhere.

[tommykjensen]

By backdoors I take it you mean Trojans? Actually no, it is a clean version from a trusted user. No problems at all the PC is fine thanks and the ££'s saved were invested elsewhere.

Good for You, but You made a mistake in that last sentence. You should have written "and the ££'s stolen were invested elsewhere"


I really don't care if You steal software, but in a public forum You should not encourage other people to do the same.

[Scottes]

I agree with Tommy. If you choose to steal software then do it on your own time. Don't recommend it publicly. You shouldn't be stealing it in the first place.

[Jesper]

You have a 20D - so you got Photoshop Elements with it.

You can upgrade to Photoshop CS for $299 (as long as you're in the USA or Canada). See Adobe's special offer: http://store.adobe.com/store/products/master.jhtml?id=catCanon

I did this too, with the Photoshop Elements 2.0 that I got with my 10D. I don't live in the USA, but my brother does, so I let him order it for me. Before I did, I asked Adobe (by e-mail) if I could do this. They said it's no problem, but they wouldn't ship it to me in Europe directly and for support I'd have to call Adobe USA and not Adobe here in the Netherlands. So they shipped it to my brother in New Jersey and he sent it to me.


If you read the small print on the website that offers it for $70, you'll see that it's most likely a "backup service" - which means, they give you the software, but not the license. You have to have a license key already. The idea is that you can download the software in case you lost the original CD. In my opinion, it's just a covert way to sell you software illegally - if you'd really lost the original CD, you should go to Adobe who will most likely replace it for you if you have a valid license.

Please do not steal software.
Encouraging others to steal is not smart in a public forum.

Just a simple example: rosemanbridge, suppose you're applying for a job and your new boss wants to check you out and does a search on internet for your name. He might find your post in which you encourage others to steal software. Now that wouldn't be good for you if your new boss finds that !!! :x

[chris.bailey]

I know you shouldn't, but I got a copy off the net through Kazaa. It works perfectly.

And for every copy obtained that way, the cost of the next version goes up and Adobe are promted to include ever increasingly user unfriendly protection. If you cant afford CS BUY Elements.

[LarryB]

Jesper (or anybody that knows),

It was my understanding that the $299 version obtained with an Elements key was the full version, not an upgrade.

Can you confirm this one way or the other? Was your copy an upgrade or the full version?

Thanks.

[Scottes]

It was my understanding that the $299 version obtained with an Elements key was the full version, not an upgrade.

Can you confirm this one way or the other? Was your copy an upgrade or the full version?

Whether an upgrade or not, you end up with the full, real, licensed version of PS CS.

[Jesper]

Jesper (or anybody that knows),

It was my understanding that the $299 version obtained with an Elements key was the full version, not an upgrade.

Can you confirm this one way or the other? Was your copy an upgrade or the full version?

Thanks.

It's a while ago that I installed it, and I don't remember if it asked for the serial number of my PS Elements or not. In any case, I had uninstalled Elements before I installed PS CS. So you don't need to have Elements installed.

The only difference between an "upgrade" and the "full version" is in the licensing. The software itself is exactly the same.

[LarryB]

The only difference between an "upgrade" and the "full version" is in the licensing.

I have a full version of Photoshop 4. It has been my experience that if I didn't have a full version of Photoshop 4 (at minimum....3 doesn't qualify), I would not have been able to buy/install the subsequent upgrades. In other words, a 5.0 upgrade disk would not qualify as a source to be able to upgrade to 6.0 or 7.0. One MUST have a full version (4 or later) as a source to upgrade.

My thinking is that there will come a time very soon that you will be required to have a full version of CS to be able to upgrade to any future versions. Therefore, whether the $299 version is an upgrade or a full version becomes a little more significant. For what it's worth, I believe it is in fact the full version.

By the way, I don't think you can use Elements as an upgrade source for Photoshop.

[gramps]

You have a 20D - so you got Photoshop Elements with it.

You can upgrade to Photoshop CS for $299 (as long as you're in the USA or Canada). See Adobe's special offer: http://store.adobe.com/store/products/master.jhtml?id=catCanon

I did this too, with the Photoshop Elements 2.0 that I got with my 10D. I don't live in the USA, but my brother does, so I let him order it for me. Before I did, I asked Adobe (by e-mail) if I could do this. They said it's no problem, but they wouldn't ship it to me in Europe directly and for support I'd have to call Adobe USA and not Adobe here in the Netherlands. So they shipped it to my brother in New Jersey and he sent it to me.


If you read the small print on the website that offers it for $70, you'll see that it's most likely a "backup service" - which means, they give you the software, but not the license. You have to have a license key already. The idea is that you can download the software in case you lost the original CD. In my opinion, it's just a covert way to sell you software illegally - if you'd really lost the original CD, you should go to Adobe who will most likely replace it for you if you have a valid license.

Please do not steal software.
Encouraging others to steal is not smart in a public forum.

Just a simple example: rosemanbridge, suppose you're applying for a job and your new boss wants to check you out and does a search on internet for your name. He might find your post in which you encourage others to steal software. Now that wouldn't be good for you if your new boss finds that !!! :x

sounds like this is the safest way to go

[Jesper]

The only difference between an "upgrade" and the "full version" is in the licensing.

I have a full version of Photoshop 4. It has been my experience that if I didn't have a full version of Photoshop 4 (at minimum....3 doesn't qualify), I would not have been able to buy/install the subsequent upgrades. In other words, a 5.0 upgrade disk would not qualify as a source to be able to upgrade to 6.0 or 7.0. One MUST have a full version (4 or later) as a source to upgrade.

My thinking is that there will come a time very soon that you will be required to have a full version of CS to be able to upgrade to any future versions. Therefore, whether the $299 version is an upgrade or a full version becomes a little more significant. For what it's worth, I believe it is in fact the full version.
Ofcourse to buy and upgrade you need to have a previous version. Look at the small print of the upgrade you're buying. For every special upgrade offer, there are different prerequisites. Adobe can tell you exactly what previous versions qualify, so when in doubt, ask Adobe.

By the way, I don't think you can use Elements as an upgrade source for Photoshop.
According to Adobe, you can.
http://store.adobe.com/store/products/master.jhtml?id=catCanon

Special offer for Canon customers
The product you purchased comes bundled with Adobe® Photoshop® Elements software, which entitles you to this special offer. Upgrade to the professional, world-standard Photoshop for just US$299 - a US$350 savings off the regular price of US$649.

The Photoshop Elements serial number is required to take advantage of this offer. The serial number is located on the CD jacket you received with your Canon product.

[LarryB]

Jesper,

I think you are confusing the term "upgrade" with regard to the current offer to Elements owners. :) They are wanting you to upgrade your workflow from using Elements to using Photoshop. Yes the way they have it worded is confusing, which is why I wanted varification that the product they are offering is the full version of CS and not just an upgrade version.

The offer Adobe is making is....if you have a qualifying Elements CD you can buy the full version of CS at a discounted rate. This has nothing to do with upgrading the actual software from Elements to Photoshop.

If all you have is an Elements CD and buy an upgrade version of CS, you would not be able to install the upgrade version of CS. Elements does not qualify as a previous version of Photoshop. This would also hold true if you bought an upgrade version to 5..0, 6.0, 7.0 etc.

When you installed your "special offer for Elements owners" version of CS, it is in fact the full version of CS so it needed no previous version varification. That's why it did not ask you for a previous version license key when you installed it.

The Elements serial number is required to take advantage of the current offer because they want you to prove that you have a copy of Elements before they will sell you a deeply discounted copy of the full version of CS.

[Jesper]

Ok, ok, but what does it matter? You can get PS CS for $299 if you have got PS Elements, using the special offer. Why are you so concerned with the words "upgrade" and "full version"?

The software of either the "upgrade" and "full version" is exactly the same. You get a CD with Photoshop CS and you install it. You don't need to have an older version installed. You just have to make sure that, if you buy an upgrade package, you qualify according to the rules of the specific upgrade offer.

The special offer is not the same as the regular PS CS upgrade package (which is what you think of when you hear the word "upgrade") that you can buy in any shop (for $169 I think). The regular PS CS upgrade package has different licensing rules, and you cannot use PS Elements as a previous version for that package. Look on Adobe's website for the rules for the regular upgrade package.

[LarryB]

Ok, ok, but what does it matter? You can get PS CS for $299 if you have got PS Elements, using the special offer.

Correct. It would be silly to pass up such a deal.

Why are you so concerned with the words "upgrade" and "full version"?

Because there is a difference on how each version can be used. Let's say I get an upgrade version now instead of this specially priced full version. Then in a year Adobe decides that, if you want the next upgrade version, you MUST have a full version of CS to qualify, I am out of luck with my upgrade version. With a full version, there is no such restriction.

The software of either the "upgrade" and "full version" is exactly the same.

Yes...pretty much.

You get a CD with Photoshop CS and you install it. You don't need to have an older version installed.

Correct. As long as it's the full version. If you get an upgrade version, you must have an older FULL version to qualify.

You just have to make sure that, if you buy an upgrade package, you qualify according to the rules of the specific upgrade offer.

Then there IS a difference in the upgrade version and the full version. With the full version you don't need a qualifying previous version. With an upgrade version, you do. This could potentially be a huge problem if Adobe decides to change which older version qualifies you for any future upgrades. Frankly, I'm surprised at how long version 4 has been the qualifier.

The special offer is not the same as the regular PS CS upgrade package (which is what you think of when you hear the word "upgrade") that you can buy in any shop (for $169 I think). The regular PS CS upgrade package has different licensing rules, and you cannot use PS Elements as a previous version for that package. Look on Adobe's website for the rules for the regular upgrade package.

Correct. That's because the special offer is for the FULL VERSION, not an upgrade version. The only thing you are upgrading with the special offer is your workflow.

I am not trying to argue with you. I think we are on the same page....mostly. I just want those reading this thread that are unfamiliar with the differences between an upgrade version and a full version don't get confused on what it being offered by Adobe and how each version can be used. The $299 price for a full version is an outstanding value.

[Joona]

where does it say that full versions before 4 doesnt qualify for CS upgrade? As I have heard (correct me if wrong) you can upgrade to CS from versions 5-7 with no trouble, but with versions before 5 you have to contact Adobe for some reason (?) causing a little more work, but all in all it will work.

[Scottes]

Why are you so concerned with the words "upgrade" and "full version"?
Because there is a difference on how each version can be used. Let's say I get an upgrade version now instead of this specially priced full version. Then in a year Adobe decides that, if you want the next upgrade version, you MUST have a full version of CS to qualify, I am out of luck with my upgrade version. With a full version, there is no such restriction.


I've never heard of a thing like this from any company in my 17 years of runnning computers. Never. If you have a full version and then upgrade you now have a full version.


The software of either the "upgrade" and "full version" is exactly the same.
Yes...pretty much.

The only difference I've ever seen is in the installer program, which requires proof of ownership of a previous version. The resulting software is the same. I've been upgrading PS since version 2. They've all been the same as far as I can tell. Same with any software I've ever upgraded.

You get a CD with Photoshop CS and you install it. You don't need to have an older version installed.
Correct. As long as it's the full version. If you get an upgrade version, you must have an older FULL version to qualify.

Again, if you have a full version and upgrade you once again have a full version of the software.

You just have to make sure that, if you buy an upgrade package, you qualify according to the rules of the specific upgrade offer.
Then there IS a difference in the upgrade version and the full version.

Only in the installer.

The special offer is not the same as the regular PS CS upgrade package...
Correct. That's because the special offer is for the FULL VERSION, not an upgrade version.

You can't upgrade what you don't have. I've particpated in several "competitive upgrades" over the years, "upgrading" WordPerfect for Microsoft Word, for instance. By proving that I owned WP I got a full version of MS Word for a very good price. I upgraded MS Word a couple times from that first version.


However you legally get a license for PS CS you now have a "full" version. You are licensed to use PS CS. It's the full version.

[LarryB]

I am not talking about the functionality of the software. Yes when you install the software it is completely functional and the full version of the software. But the source CD from which you do the installation is either an upgrade version which requires a previous FULL version license key or the full version that does not require a previous license key.

Every time I have upgraded Photoshop, from 4 to 5 to 6 to 7, I have been required to provide the license key from my full version (which is 4), not the previous upgrade version.

Try this.

Take an upgrade version CD of Photoshop 5 (or 6 or 7). Now, get an upgrade version CD of CS (or any version higher than what you are trying to upgrade). Can you install an upgrade version using an upgrade version CD as the upgrade source?

[tumb]

I just ordered using the link above and it is the full version. I don't care what they call it, especially since it's about half price. I stumbled across this post doing a search for the special offer link after the one I had bookmarked a few weeks ago went dead, and this one works. The serial number from the Elements 2 that came with my 20D worked.

BTW, the only "upgrade" I ever tried to install was the full version with the exception of Microsoft products.

[Jesper]

Take an upgrade version CD of Photoshop 5 (or 6 or 7). Now, get an upgrade version CD of CS (or any version higher than what you are trying to upgrade). Can you install an upgrade version using an upgrade version CD as the upgrade source?

If you have an upgrade version of PS 5 or 6, you must have some earlier version that qualifies you for the upgrade of PS 5 or 6. If you have that older version plus the upgrade for PS 5 or 6, then you have enough to install PS CS.

I don't think the installer program will ask you for all the previous versions that you have. I think it will just ask for the previous version CD, upgrade or full version. With PS CS, Adobe has built in an activation mechanism - you have to "activate" the software, which means register it online, to be able to use it. So Adobe keeps track of your license. When you install a new version in the future, they'll be able to see if you have a valid license.

I think Scottes is right: If you have version A, and you get an upgrade to version B, it is worth as much as buying the full version B. I've never heard of "If you want the upgrade for version C you must have bought the full version B and not a full version A plus upgrade to B".

Contact Adobe (http://www.adobe.com/misc/comments.html) if you want to know more details...

[LarryB]

OK...I give up....you win.