Pros/Cons of PS Student Edition?

[kdog]

Originally Posted by davev

Really. Does this really need to go there?
A person in the house, BOUGHT the program and installed in on a computer.
Why can't anyone in the house use it?
If you have 4 people using a computer, do you need to buy 4 licenses of Windows?

Lighten up, or no one will ever ask another question here.

Personally I wouldn't have a problem with a shared computer situation, if that's really the case. It's kind of a gray area I think. However, if you're the primary user of the software, and you're not the student, then it's clearly wrong. Realistically, I think it's a rare case that a serious photographer, or especially a professional one, does his work on a shared family computer with elementary school age kids in the house. Let's be honest here.

And why would discussing the ethics of using student discounts scare anybody away?

-joel

[BeachBill]

Originally Posted by davev

Another thing I believe with the educational versions, I don't think you can upgrade them.

I purchased the educational version of CS2 while attending an adult education class on photoshop a few years ago and can tell you that the educational versions do qualify for upgrade pricing, at least as of a few months ago when I got CS4.

I also seem to remember that Adobe recently added a new classification of "student edition" which has different licensing terms than the "educational version" and I see that the subject of this thread is "student edition" so my comments may not apply.

Okay, so curiosity got to me... I decided to check the link posted earlier and I found this...

Can I upgrade from a Student Edition?
Yes, a Student Edition can be upgraded to a commercial version.

[Thunder Rabbit]

Howdy folks.

Hi, Davey.

Clearly, I'm no authority, but I'm pretty sure there is really no such thing as "student versions", only student discounts. I couldn't find any reference to "student versions" on the Adobe website. Just student discounts. Nowhere on the box, disc, or software itself does it indicate it is a "student" version. It's just plain old LR2. And I'm also pretty sure it's upgradeable. If I'm in error here, I'm sure there is someone eager to correct me, and I welcome it. I'm all about the facts.

Hi, KDog. Not only am I perpetrating a fraud, my mother wears army shoes.

And now, having admitted that I am a scoundrel and a bounder whose mother has poor fashion sense, I'd like to offer some observations. Adobe offers student discounts to kids in kindergarten, and at the same time explicitly states it's OK to use the product professionally. Are you trying to tell me that Adobe has visions of five and six year olds running around shooting weddings and such? I kinda doubt it. But it is funny to think about. Kinda like this thread. It's getting more comical by the moment.

And Christopher does use Ps quite a bit. He loves it. Only he calls it "Paint Shop", because the icon he clicks to open it has the letters Ps, and the only tool he uses right now is the paint brush. I expect Adobe is delighted that he is being exposed to their excellent products at such an early age.

And yes, I do have only one computer in the house, and yes, he does have access to it. I'm not a big time photographer. I'm small potatoes. Actually, more like a potato chip. Maybe Adobe recognizes that guys like me with families need a break.

In closing, I'd like to thank you guys for all the chuckles. But Davey is right. I'll think more than twice before I try and be helpful around here again.

No hard feelings. Just don't need the hassle.

[cab.in.boston]

Originally Posted by kdog

Personally I wouldn't have a problem with a shared computer situation, if that's really the case. It's kind of a gray area I think. However, if you're the primary user of the software, and you're not the student, then it's clearly wrong. Realistically, I think it's a rare case that a serious photographer, or especially a professional one, does his work on a shared family computer with elementary school age kids in the house. Let's be honest here.

And why would discussing the ethics of using student discounts scare anybody away?

-joel

So what about my case? I'm a graduate student and thereby qualify for the discount. However, I'm also a full-time professional (engineer, not photographer) who in theory could pay the full price. I do not need PS for school and won't use it at all in that context, but I am a student and by their rules I am entitled to the discount. I will be most likely the primary user of the s/w (my wife will use it as well, and maybe my children someday when they are older). Would I be defrauding Adobe as well by taking advantage of the reduced pricing?

[kdog]

Originally Posted by cab.in.boston

So what about my case? I'm a graduate student and thereby qualify for the discount. However, I'm also a full-time professional (engineer, not photographer) who in theory could pay the full price. I do not need PS for school and won't use it at all in that context, but I am a student and by their rules I am entitled to the discount. I will be most likely the primary user of the s/w (my wife will use it as well, and maybe my children someday when they are older). Would I be defrauding Adobe as well by taking advantage of the reduced pricing?

Beats me. If it's not spelled out by Adobe, then let your conscience be your guide.

-joel

[Ken K]

Just to offer up some more information from the Adobe educational site:
http://www.adobe.com/education/stude...ition/faq.html

What are Student Editions?
Student Editions are the same full version of the commercial software, priced at discounts for college students.

Who can purchase and use the Student Editions?
Only full- or part-time students enrolled at a higher education establishment, defined as an accredited public or private university or a college that grants degrees requiring not less than the equivalent of two (2) years of study, or students enrolled at an accredited public or private school providing full-time instruction are eligible.

Which products are available as Student Edition software?
Adobe® Creative Suite® 4 Design Premium, Creative Suite 4 Design Standard, Creative Suite 4 Production Premium, Creative Suite 4 Web Premium, and Photoshop® CS4 Extended software are offered in Student Editions.

Andy,
Seems clear that this is not intended for purchase for use by a student in grade K-12. If you are a faculty member teaching grades K-12 then you qualify.

[kdog]

Originally Posted by Ken K

Which products are available as Student Edition software?
Adobe® Creative Suite® 4 Design Premium, Creative Suite 4 Design Standard, Creative Suite 4 Production Premium, Creative Suite 4 Web Premium, and Photoshop® CS4 Extended software are offered in Student Editions.

Notice there's no mention of LightRoom here. And yet, CreationEngine sells a LR2 with an Academic discount here: http://www.creationengine.com/html/p.lasso?p=15017

[cab.in.boston]

Originally Posted by Ken K

Just to offer up some more information from the Adobe educational site:
http://www.adobe.com/education/stude...ition/faq.html

What are Student Editions?
Student Editions are the same full version of the commercial software, priced at discounts for college students.

Who can purchase and use the Student Editions?
Only full- or part-time students enrolled at a higher education establishment, defined as an accredited public or private university or a college that grants degrees requiring not less than the equivalent of two (2) years of study, or students enrolled at an accredited public or private school providing full-time instruction are eligible.

Which products are available as Student Edition software?
Adobe® Creative Suite® 4 Design Premium, Creative Suite 4 Design Standard, Creative Suite 4 Production Premium, Creative Suite 4 Web Premium, and Photoshop® CS4 Extended software are offered in Student Editions.

Andy,
Seems clear that this is not intended for purchase for use by a student in grade K-12. If you are a faculty member teaching grades K-12 then you qualify.

I disagree. The section I underlined says that any student at an accredited school qualifies. I think a previous poster was correct in that they can't expect a grade schooler to purchase it themselves, but a parent of a grade schooler could buy it for household use. That's how I understand the policy.

From Adobe's Eligibility page:

Originally Posted by Adobe

Other individual end user purchases — eligibility

Qualified examples

* Qualified individuals who acquire Educational Software Products for their own personal use but not for further distribution or transfer and who have presented to reseller Appropriate Identification of current status as:
o Students enrolled in grades K–12 at an accredited public or private primary or secondary school providing full-time instruction
o Full- or part-time students enrolled at a higher education institution defined as an accredited public or private university or college (including community, junior, or vocational college) that grants degrees requiring not less than the equivalent of two (2) years of full-time study
o Full- or part-time faculty and staff employed by an accredited K–12 or higher education institution
o Other qualified examples as listed by Adobe from time to time on its website or in other written communication

They may not specifically list LR as a "Student Edition," but on Adobe's Educational Store page, they offer LR2 at a deep discount.

[Art Scott]

Adobe has really been great about their academic versions.....nothing was ever disabled....unlike a lot of software companies that sell you partially disabled software and the disabled parts are always the most need part of the software.....most need right after the edit and save as ...features............

The original Genuine Fractals from Lizard Tech was the same....the Academic Version was the full retail version....it was the only uprezing software that did not have part of its features disabled......and I am still upgrading every 2 or 3 versions as they come out.........

[kdog]

Originally Posted by cab.in.boston

They may not specifically list LR as a "Student Edition," but on Adobe's Educational Store page, they offer LR2 at a deep discount.

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

[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.