Pros/Cons of PS Student Edition?

[cab.in.boston]

Originally Posted by kdog

Note that at the top of that page it says, "Higher Ed Students". Clear as mud, eh?

True. But if you click "Teachers and K-12 Students" on the right-hand side of the page, it takes you to another page of the Education store, where PS CS4 Extended is $299 but LR2 is still $99. So CS4 for college students is $199, and $299 for K-12 students.

My guess is that Adobe figures most college students who will take advantage of this pricing are buying it for themselves, so they sell the "Student Editions" of s/w like CS4 Extended for cheaper than the price they offer K-12 students. They must figure that K-12 students are not purchasing it themselves, but they still want to give parents a break when they buy s/w for the kids to use for school. Either way, it is indeed generous of Adobe to do this, plus it gets more customers entrenched in the Adobe camp, hopefully (from their perspective) for life! From my standpoint, I don't like stealing software, so I have declined a few times already when people have offered me their questionably obtained PS licenses, but OTOH, the full version of these software packages is not in my budget (and if it were, I'd probably divert those funds for new glass). So I will gladly take advantage of the student edition pricing, since I qualify under their policy...

You're right, the rules do seem to be rather muddy at best.

[cab.in.boston]

Wow. I d/l'ed and installed LR3 Beta last night. I don't even know where to start. Looks like I'm going to have to spend some serious time learning how it all works. Good thing the beta version is good until April, I just might figure it out a little bit by then and I can decide if want to go ahead and buy the program. I assume the learning curve for PS is even steeper... I definitely want to learn how to use these applications, I love the results I've seen other people get, I just don't know where I'll find the time!

[davev]

Originally Posted by cab.in.boston

Wow. I d/l'ed and installed LR3 Beta last night. I don't even know where to start. Looks like I'm going to have to spend some serious time learning how it all works. Good thing the beta version is good until April, I just might figure it out a little bit by then and I can decide if want to go ahead and buy the program. I assume the learning curve for PS is even steeper... I definitely want to learn how to use these applications, I love the results I've seen other people get, I just don't know where I'll find the time!

Take a couple of shots, load them into lightroom, and just start moving the sliders around.
You'll pick up the basics pretty quick.

[BradfordBenn]

I find it much less intimidating than PS-CS3 a few good online tutorials help. just google a couple or post questions here.

[robscomputer]

I've used educational versions of Photoshop version 6, CS2, and now waiting for the delivery of CS4. While I'm in college taking a part time class there is not benefit of Photoshop, it's only for my personal use and hobby but wanted to buy it since it's discounted.

My question is how does this license work after you're no longer registered for school or after you graduate? I always thought the license is only purchasable by a qualified user but after that point can be used by the same person if they are no longer in school and not for profit.

It's interesting but in the few times I bought academic software from college bookstores I never been asked to verify my status as a student. Not to mention anyone can sign up for a class with their local community college, or adult school and become a student, purchase the software on-line then drop the class. I seriously wonder how many "students" are taking advantage of this?

[Photometric]

Originally Posted by BradfordBenn

Also one of the differences between the full license and student license if I remember correctly is that the student license is not for profit. In other words if you are doing work for hire/pay you are expected to purchase the full license.

This is not true, you are allowed to use these copies for profit. The license says so.

[Art Scott]

Originally Posted by robscomputer

I've used educational versions of Photoshop version 6, CS2, and now waiting for the delivery of CS4. While I'm in college taking a part time class there is not benefit of Photoshop, it's only for my personal use and hobby but wanted to buy it since it's discounted.

GOOD IDEA

Originally Posted by robscomputer

My question is how does this license work after you're no longer registered for school or after you graduate? I always thought the license is only purchasable by a qualified user but after that point can be used by the same person if they are no longer in school and not for profit.

YES trhe license works after you are no longer a student and you can get all the updates and upgrades anyone else can get......and you can use it for profit....license says so

Originally Posted by robscomputer

It's interesting but in the few times I bought academic software from college bookstores I never been asked to verify my status as a student. Not to mention anyone can sign up for a class with their local community college, or adult school and become a student, purchase the software on-line then drop the class. I seriously wonder how many "students" are taking advantage of this?

Many college bookstores just figure that if you are buying from them you're a student........yes anyone can sign up and pay tuition and then drop class after making purchase of academic software but man that is a hassel.
For high dollar sfotware....there are many more students taking advantage of it than one thinks....no only students but also faculty and staff......I bought several different types of software when I was employed at a local "U"....I knew a janitor that also bought photoshop and several other high end programs........
Most academic software only requires you to be employed by or a student of higher education...in some instances it K- post graduate.........

[Pupator]

Not to be disagreeable with others - but I HIGHLY recommend not using the Beta of LR3 for any meaningful work. Adobe has been very clear just how early in the process that software is and has even indicated that the database you make in the Beta will likely not transfer to the full version once it's released.

There's another thread on the LR3 Beta here on dgrin - I'd encourage anyone considering using the Beta to read that thread fully before diving in.