Buying SoftwareBefore you buy -- here is the latest information on new releases of Adobe software as of January 2012. Creative Suite 6 (CS6) does not have an official release date, but Adobe has publicly stated that it will be available in the first half of 2012. About the current version: Creative Suite CS5 and CS5.5Adobe CS5 was released in April 2010. There are many bundles for the Adobe Creative Suite. For example, the Premium version of CS5 includes Adobe Photoshop Extended, Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat Professional, Flash, Flash Catalyst, Fireworks and Dreamweaver. Adobe CS5 Design Standard includes Photoshop CS5 (not the extended version), Illustrator CS5, InDesign CS5, Acrobat Pro. There are some additional utility programs that ship with CS5: Device Central and the Adobe Bridge file browser. And, there are other bundles, such as the Web Premium, Production Premium and Master Collection. CS5.5 was released in Spring 2011. It is a major dot release -- as my friend at Adobe stated, it's halfway to CS6. While some programs in the Creative Suite were not affected by this release (like Photoshop and Illustrator), other programs received the nod for substantial changes. InDesign was one of the programs that did get a battery of new features in CS5.5, but these enhancements are focused on the production of eBooks and digital publishing. Those two topics are introduced in the third semester class, InDesign 3. CS5.5 also includes Acrobat X. If you are buying the Creative Suite right now, you will get the new CS5.5. If you already have CS5, there is no need to upgrade to CS5.5 for the InDesign 1 and InDesign 2 classes. Students in other Adobe classes should check with their instructor for recommendations. For example, in Spring 2012, a student in InDesign 3 could even get by using CS5 for most of the class and then downloading the 30-day free trial of CS5.5 for the lectures on eBooks which is scheduled towards the end of the semester. For more information about the different CS5 Suites, visit www.adobe.com/products/creativesuite. Buying the current academic version of CS5 at the SRJC Bookstore-- such a deal!Adobe has developed a strong support system for students and colleges. The SRJC Bookstore participates in a special student licensing program through the California Community College system. While there are 3rd party companies that sell Adobe academic software, you'll find that SRJC's prices are the best. [The academic version of CS5 is the "real" software program -- the only thing missing might be extra clipart, fonts, or printed documentation.] If you are using Adobe software in your business or for profit, then you should purchase the full retail version of the software at the Adobe website. The academic software is available to SRJC students and proof of registration is required when purchased at the bookstore. Here are the current prices:
SRJC Bookstore: Follow the link to Supplies --> Software/Electronics --> Click to link to the software catalog What happens when a new version of the Adobe Creative Suite is released?Here is what I know to the best of my knowledge based on years of experience with the Creative Suites software. As an Adobe trainer, I am under a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) about future Adobe software -- but I can share information about what has happened in the past when new versions of the Creative Suite were released for students who have purchased the academic package. History of academic software and new Adobe releases
What happens to class lectures when the new version is released?
Buying software | Taking a class from Cyndi | Downloading files | Using the computer labs | Important dates |
