[eschrad]

It has been in my work budget to buy cs2/studio 8 and I have never gotten around to it. I was going to buy it now, but then started wondering if that was a bad idea. My PowerBook will be 3 years old this fall, and I have requested money in next year's budget (10/06-9/07) for an upgrade... although timing of that purchase will depend on when Apple revises the MacBook Pro. (I am hoping that they realize their mistake and put FW800 back in! Also, I don't like the idea of buying the first version of a major revision.)
But buying a new computer will probably necessitate buying cs3. I know no one but Adobe knows when cs3 will be released, but I don't think I can convince the boss that another upgrade purchase in less than a year's time is needed. I am beginning to wonder if I should just skip cs2 all together. (I work for a non-profit, so funds are tight.) After all, I have managed without cs2 this long... Ugh! I don't know what to do? /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[eschrad]

Not sure if this helps or makes things worse!
http://www.thinksecr...tivesuite3.html
(I know... this is a rumor site.)

[MacGizmo]

Skip the CS2 upgrade. CS3 will most likely be released late this year or very early next year. If you wait, you can get (hopefully) a rev.2 MacBook and the upgrade to CS3 in one shot.

[eschrad]

I hope it isn't too long until cs3! What is the word on Macromedia Studio 8? How is it operating on the new chips, or is it going to be upgraded as well in the near future?
(P.S. Enjoyed your site!)

[Keez]

You and I are in the same boat. (nice to meet you)
I'm gonna wait - I don't want to buy CS2 then upgrade again to CS3. You will get Universal binaries if you buy CS3.
By then hopefully the 17" macBooks will be out and any little niggles will have been ironed out.
I will try to be patient.... /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

[DarthMac]

Adobe are now saying 2nd. quarter of 2007 for the release of CS3.
I'm still using CS as there wasn't anything in CS2 that was a must have for me and I didn't want to deal with the hassle of activation.

[Nobody]

I'll just share my experience with CS2. I use Illustrator all day every day, Acrobat Pro several times a day, have designed two magazines in InDesign. I use Photoshop a few times a week.
CS2 is the current standard for still graphics software. I'm glad I have it. The big thing with this version for me is Acrobat Pro. We're beginning to use Acrobat in new ways - as a presentation vehicle, in the place of PowerPoint. It has the "ubiquity" value of PowerPoint - all our clients have it - and fewer of the drawbacks.
The other issue is Studio 8. Hmm. I use DW and Flash just a little, and Fireworks some. From what I've heard from Flash designers, the current version of Flash might be necessary to serious coders, not for graphic designers.
I'm facing a similar issue - whether or not to get a laptop now, and if I do, which version. I'm tending towards waiting. Not faced with the software issue, though. Personally, I think I'd wait.
PS: I'm eagerly anticipating the integration of Studio and the CS apps. Hope they do it well.

[eschrad]

Okay, I have to admit... when I posted my question, I had actually already purchased the software! I had gotten the purchase approved in the budget and had been meaning to buy it for months, but had never gotten around to it. I work for a non-profit, so I was trying to be responsible with our money... I was already to return it and wait, but then saw the announcement a couple days ago that CS3 is not expected now for at least 12 months. So, I decided to keep the software... that's too long to wait and be behind the learning curve.
With regards to Studio 8... by the time I get Dreamweaver and Fireworks, I might as well buy the whole studio. Flash... eh. Haven't used it since college. Just not my area. I am primarily a print designer, but also do web work. Of course, who doesn't have to do a little of both these days!
So thanks for you post... makes me feel better about keeping it! Can't wait to install... just have to get through a project first!

[eschrad]

You can see my post above, but long story short, I got the upgrade.
Basically, I had already purchased it when I posted my question... so I was looking for advice to see if I should return it. Then the news came out that CS3 is at least 12 months away, so I decided to keep it. I don't know how soon the PowerBook (uh... MacBook Pro /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif ) that I am looking for will be coming off the line anyway. So it may even be a year before I get the new laptop!
Thanks for your input!