Photoshop CS4 vs CS20

I had been using Photoshop 7 for the longest time.  Always worked good for me – don’t know why I saw a reason to change – but I dived right in and ordered CS2.   Why did I not go for CS4 right off the bat?  The price.  CS4 was almost $700 – a ridiculous amount to charge for ANY software – I don’t give a shit if it saves your life – no software should be that price.  But, like an idiot – I tried to save too much money.  I found a copy of CS2 on eBay – need I say more?  I got the copy for $250.  Was delivered fast and seemed to have everything.  Installed fine.  Had a serial number and everything.  But for some reason – none of the keyboard shortcuts were working.  I tried everything (I love my keyboard shortcuts) to no avail.  Not even the “delete” key was working!

So I called Adobe tech support, spoke to some foreign woman who informed me, after I had given her my serial number, that is was NOT a valid serial number.   I said, “What do you mean it’s not valid?  It worked when I installed the software.” She had no explanation other than it was not valid and therefore – not covered for any kind of tech support.  I was pissed – but what could I do?  The shady character I purchased it from on eBay was no where to be found.  So I just took up the tailpipe.  I used the Cs2 as it was for a while, almost a year – but I couldn’t take not having my shortcuts…

One day I just lost my sanity and purchased CS4.  This time I got it from Amazon – and made sure it was sold from Amazon – this way I had some guarantee.  Arrived, installed beautiful piece of software – but it ran like a elephant.  The brush lag when painting at higher resolutions was horrible.  And I have a fast machine, maxed out on memory.  It was ponderous.  So – I sat on the $674 software, used it sparingly – and continued to mainly use the CS2 sans keyboard shortcuts.  Until…

About 2 months ago, I was in the market for a new artists table – you know the type; white tubular legs, white table surface that can be adjusted to any angle – you get it.  Found one on CraigsList – very close to my house.  $300 table for $80 – mint condition.  I lucked out.   I called and told the sellers that I would be there that very night to get the table.  So I drive over and meet these very nice senior people, see the table (which was in perfect condition – Alvin art table – top of the line), make the transaction.  We are making small talk about art and computers and get on the subject of Photoshop – and I start telling him my woes.  He tells me not to worry – he has a copy of Photoshop CS2 that he got from his company a couple of years ago and doesn’t really need.  I said huh?  He says I can take them.  Again, I say huh?  But he is serious. I tell him, at least let me trade the CS4 for his CS2 – doesn’t want it.  Gives me the discs and he even puts them in this nice nylon CD pocket holder thingy. Unreal.  I can’t thank him enough.

So I finally have a licensed copy of Photoshop CS2 – and the keyboard shortcuts are a dream.