Last Call for CS4?
There are some applications that I just can't get excited about upgrading. My copy of Word, for example, is antediluvian, and yet it still provides all the functionality I need. Given that there are now open source and online alternatives, there's probably nothing Microsoft could do to induce me to upgrade, short of giving it away. I imagine I'm not the only one with this attitude. The situation is different, however, when it comes to graphics and publishing applications. Or is it?
A decade ago, a new release of Adobe Photoshop was a huge event in the graphics community. Each eagerly-awaited new version provided a quantum leap of compelling new functionality that made upgrading a no-brainer. This reached its apogee with the arrival of the Creative Suite, which marked such a fresh direction that adoption was massive. But then came CS2 and CS3 in what seemed to be rapid sucession.
All the applications in the Creative Suite, not just Photoshop, continued to develop significantly with each release. But as the cost of not just upgrading but learning to master the new functionality continued to climb, some began to drop the habit of jumping on each new release. After all, the applications were already so feature-packed—were the new capabilities really that essential? And who had the time to master all the subtleties of the new versions?
Then came the release of Creative Suite 4 in the midst of an economic downturn. As always, there's lots to like in the new version but is it a must-buy? Apparently for many users the answer has been no, since Adobe has been working harder than ever to convince its customers to upgrade. Notable has been a program to encourage those with earlier versions to make the move to CS4. Running until the end of last February, this reduced the cost of an upgrade for most of the Suites to $599. For me, this was enough to break the piggy bank and upgrade my copy of CS2 Design Premium, on the vary last day of the offer.
I felt pretty good about that until Adobe promptly extended the offer until the end of this April, which reminded me a bit too much of the perpetual, limited-time offers so beloved of late-night TV hucksters. Clearly, Adobe will do whatever it takes to boost adoption of CS4. So if you've been pondering the upgrade, you now have to decide whether to pull the trigger before the end of the month or wait and see if Adobe will further sweeten the pot.
For those who want to upgrade but are stymied by reluctant managers, Adobe recently commissioned a study to provide grounding for its claim that CS4 will pay for itself by increasing productivity. Hard times, indeed.
Chris Dickman
Graphics.com
I use PhotoShop more than any application I have (Mac version). I upgraded the last time from CS to CS3 extended. I didn't really care about the 'extended' version - I bought it from VioSoftware and all versions were the same price.
A few months ago I discovered that Adobe wants me to practically beg to upgrade to CS4 sans extended. This is stupid. If they want me to upgrade don't make it so difficult.
I understand I can call Adobe and get an activation code if I buy CS4. I should not have to do this.
Adobe, with perhaps a worse activation model than even Microsoft, is becoming a real turnoff company in my opinion. There is a dire lack of competition - Gimp is not competition.
And what if I have to reinstall? I don't trust Adobe. I also had a bad experience with Dreamweaver from Adobe.
Two things keep me from upgrading - their business model (arrogance) and not really much to brag about in CS4 from CS3. Oh, did I mention support outsourced with non English speaking techs?
Sorry about the rant. I'm simply getting fed up with high cost software, bad support and "must have" upgrades.
Since PS4, my upgrade routine has been to skip every other version Now, with Adobe allowing upgrade pricing as far as three versions back, I expect I will upgrade every third version... assuming they leave this path open.
Honestly, I can do 90%—or more—of everything I need to do with PS6 (which I carry around with me on a flash drive). If I never upgraded PS again, I'd probably survive.
Check this forum thread about Falsh CS4 for some insight. CS4 is awesome, Flash CS4 is not so hot...
http://board.flashkit.com/board/showthread.php?t=792471
Interesting article. I work with about 10 different design agencies and know another 20 or different designers and not one has upgraded to CS4. The main reason is pure economics, all want to muddle through with their copies of CS2 and CS3.
During an economic downturn, clients, printers, etc are all a lot more understanding and do not expect individual designers to keep up-to-date with the latest release so we don't feel pressured into doing so.
I'm happy enough with CS3 and I think the only thing that would get me to change would be compatibility issues with Illustrator when receiving client files as I think it look unprofessional to go back to them and expect them to save it down a generation.
Interesting article. I'm still using CS3 and am satisfied with it.
Recently, I'm using abode cs3 and its feature is indeed too much beneficial for me.But now adobe cs4 has available in the market so i would like to buy it and I hope it will be good from adobe cs3.
I have CS2 and just got a postcard from Adobe offering a discount if I upgrade to CS4. Besides graphic work, I do a lot of digital scrapbooking. Most of the actions and additional plug-ins are for CS2 a few are for CS3. Why would I want to upgrade to CS4 when most people are staying with CS2 and CS3? Plus, there is NO WAY I could afford to upgrade. I think they upgraded from CS to CS 4 too quickly. Since I have no money to upgrade, CS2 will work just fine for me!