Second Life Forums Archive - Software buying advice please..

Margeaux Mirabeau

VERTASUAL

Join date: 21 Sep 2005

Posts: 141

11-22-2005 02:29

OK, starting to doubt again.... I've been using PSP for some time now, and I'm happy with it. But, I have been told by some of my customers and friends ( thanks for the compliments guys

) that I need PS ..

So, that's a good advice, been drooling over that for some years anyway, so now I'd like to ask your feedback :

where could I get a legit PS, not necessarily the newest one, for an amount of money that is acceptible to a limited software budget and to the feelings of my SO who thinks I'm spending way too much on software as it is ?

I've looked already, on Ebay, Amazon etc., but I still cannot choose.. Your thoughts are greatly appreciated !

Thanks,
Margeaux

_____________________

"I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain." ( From Dune by Frank Herbert ).

Weedy Herbst

Too many parameters

Join date: 5 Aug 2004

Posts: 2,255

11-22-2005 02:46

Unless you are performing some high level work, most versions of any paint program are suitable for work in SL, so long as they are able to save alphas into .tga etc.

Personally, all I use is PsP5 which may not have the bells and whistles of current version of Psp or Photoshop, but I like it because it's compact and loads almost instantly. There is nothing more frustrating than watching a program load for 30 secs just to have a quick look at a single image.

My need for textures does not involve liquify or other functions. Don't spend money on needless upgrades because someone suggested it, unless you have a specific need which cannot be performed with a lower level version.

_____________________

Chosen Few

Alpha Channel Slave

Join date: 16 Jan 2004

Posts: 7,496

11-22-2005 02:59

It's very hard to find a legit copy of an older version of Photoshop. I'm pretty sure retailers are supposed to destroy old copies when new versions come in, not sell them. The only way I know of to legitimately get a discount is if you're a student or if you work at a college or university. If you know anyone who fits that description, tell them what you want Santa to bring you this Christmas. The educational price on whole Creative Suite education version (full functionality, just says Education Version on the startup screen) is only $199, which is like a $900 discount. As far as I know there's nothing in the student EULA that prevents gift giving. It only stipulates that the purchaser must be a student or faculty member and that the software must not be used for commercial purposes.

Another option is if you know anyone who has an old version, it is legal for them to sell it to you if they're not using it anymore. EULA's tend to state otherwise, but it doesn't hold up in court. The US supreme court ruled some time ago that to sell a piece of software you don't want any more is perdectly fine as long as the seller does not retain any copies of it.

Photoshop CS and CS2 are a little tricky in that regard since they require activation with Adoobe web servers in order to operate past the first 30 days after installation. One copy can be activated on upto 3 computers. Getting Adobe to deactivate a computer from their records can be a pain. Photoshop 7 was the last version not to require activation. That would be the easiest one to install used. It's missing some of the newer features, but it's still a great program.

It probably goes without saying, but whatever you do, don't get suckered by one of those too good to be true sites claiming to be selling Photoshop for rediculously low prices. At best they are stolen OEM copies, which is obviously quite illegal. At worst, the sites can be scams to get ahold of your credit card info.

If you can't find the means for Photoshop, you may want to consider GIMP. It's almost as good, and it's totally free from www.GIMP.org. You can get a plugin for it called GIMPshop, also free, which will make it look and work like Photoshop.

Good luck, and welcome to the light side of the force.

_____________________

.

Land now available for rent in Indigo. Low rates. Quiet, low-lag mainland sim with good neighbors. IM me in-world if you're interested.

Margeaux Mirabeau

VERTASUAL

Join date: 21 Sep 2005

Posts: 141

11-22-2005 03:29

@ Weedy : thanks for your reply! Unfortunately for my wallet I do think I have a specific need for the possibilities of PS, because I expect it will benefit my store

@ Chosen : thank you

Actually the Premium Suite is $ 399, and PS CS2 $ 299 according to the website, but still.. You have given me something to consider, I appreciate the input !

Edited to add : I'm downloading Gimp + Gimpshop now, I will give those a try before looking further into the PS thing, thanks for the tip !

Margeaux

_____________________

"I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain." ( From Dune by Frank Herbert ).

Phoenix Psaltery

Ninja Wizard

Join date: 25 Feb 2005

Posts: 2,599

11-22-2005 06:10

In my book, Jasc Paint Shop Pro does 90% of what Photoshop will do for 15% of the cost.

Many Photoshop "functions" are actually provided by third party plugins, which for the most part function identically with PSP as they do with PS.

P2

_____________________

Software buying advice please..
Margeaux Mirabeau VERTASUAL Join date: 21 Sep 2005 Posts: 141	11-22-2005 02:29 OK, starting to doubt again.... I've been using PSP for some time now, and I'm happy with it. But, I have been told by some of my customers and friends ( thanks for the compliments guys ) that I need PS .. So, that's a good advice, been drooling over that for some years anyway, so now I'd like to ask your feedback : where could I get a legit PS, not necessarily the newest one, for an amount of money that is acceptible to a limited software budget and to the feelings of my SO who thinks I'm spending way too much on software as it is ? I've looked already, on Ebay, Amazon etc., but I still cannot choose.. Your thoughts are greatly appreciated ! Thanks, Margeaux _____________________ "I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain." ( From Dune by Frank Herbert ).
Weedy Herbst Too many parameters Join date: 5 Aug 2004 Posts: 2,255	11-22-2005 02:46 Unless you are performing some high level work, most versions of any paint program are suitable for work in SL, so long as they are able to save alphas into .tga etc. Personally, all I use is PsP5 which may not have the bells and whistles of current version of Psp or Photoshop, but I like it because it's compact and loads almost instantly. There is nothing more frustrating than watching a program load for 30 secs just to have a quick look at a single image. My need for textures does not involve liquify or other functions. Don't spend money on needless upgrades because someone suggested it, unless you have a specific need which cannot be performed with a lower level version. _____________________
Chosen Few Alpha Channel Slave Join date: 16 Jan 2004 Posts: 7,496	11-22-2005 02:59 It's very hard to find a legit copy of an older version of Photoshop. I'm pretty sure retailers are supposed to destroy old copies when new versions come in, not sell them. The only way I know of to legitimately get a discount is if you're a student or if you work at a college or university. If you know anyone who fits that description, tell them what you want Santa to bring you this Christmas. The educational price on whole Creative Suite education version (full functionality, just says Education Version on the startup screen) is only $199, which is like a $900 discount. As far as I know there's nothing in the student EULA that prevents gift giving. It only stipulates that the purchaser must be a student or faculty member and that the software must not be used for commercial purposes. Another option is if you know anyone who has an old version, it is legal for them to sell it to you if they're not using it anymore. EULA's tend to state otherwise, but it doesn't hold up in court. The US supreme court ruled some time ago that to sell a piece of software you don't want any more is perdectly fine as long as the seller does not retain any copies of it. Photoshop CS and CS2 are a little tricky in that regard since they require activation with Adoobe web servers in order to operate past the first 30 days after installation. One copy can be activated on upto 3 computers. Getting Adobe to deactivate a computer from their records can be a pain. Photoshop 7 was the last version not to require activation. That would be the easiest one to install used. It's missing some of the newer features, but it's still a great program. It probably goes without saying, but whatever you do, don't get suckered by one of those too good to be true sites claiming to be selling Photoshop for rediculously low prices. At best they are stolen OEM copies, which is obviously quite illegal. At worst, the sites can be scams to get ahold of your credit card info. If you can't find the means for Photoshop, you may want to consider GIMP. It's almost as good, and it's totally free from www.GIMP.org. You can get a plugin for it called GIMPshop, also free, which will make it look and work like Photoshop. Good luck, and welcome to the light side of the force. _____________________ . Land now available for rent in Indigo. Low rates. Quiet, low-lag mainland sim with good neighbors. IM me in-world if you're interested.
Margeaux Mirabeau VERTASUAL Join date: 21 Sep 2005 Posts: 141	11-22-2005 03:29 @ Weedy : thanks for your reply! Unfortunately for my wallet I do think I have a specific need for the possibilities of PS, because I expect it will benefit my store @ Chosen : thank you Actually the Premium Suite is $ 399, and PS CS2 $ 299 according to the website, but still.. You have given me something to consider, I appreciate the input ! Edited to add : I'm downloading Gimp + Gimpshop now, I will give those a try before looking further into the PS thing, thanks for the tip ! Margeaux _____________________ "I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain." ( From Dune by Frank Herbert ).
Phoenix Psaltery Ninja Wizard Join date: 25 Feb 2005 Posts: 2,599	11-22-2005 06:10 In my book, Jasc Paint Shop Pro does 90% of what Photoshop will do for 15% of the cost. Many Photoshop "functions" are actually provided by third party plugins, which for the most part function identically with PSP as they do with PS. P2 _____________________

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