Adobe CS2 (not) free (Seems like they goofed, eh?)

[Nielk1]

So, has anyone heard about Adobe placing downloads, with keys, of a non-online checking set of CS2 programs? The explanation is that it was meant for those with legal copies because the registration server would be retired, however, they never locked down this download page and despite it being flooded with activity for 2 days, it is still there. That is quite odd for them, considering they should be on top of it enough to delete the page or lock it down if they did not intend to distribute after 2 days online.

I did not link the page on the chance that it is in fact an accident on Adobe's part but I figured I would tell you all about it. I know some of us still use Photoshop CS2 so knowing that the registration server is going to go offline and that Adobe has provided for its users at the very least is a good heads up.

[GSH]

More information here.

It would sure be nice to be able to get legal copies of CS2. That would be an improvement over what I've got at home. And no, 'the gimp' is not an acceptable piece of software. If I need quick edits, I'll fire up Paint.NET for something that's free, legal, and doesn't have a user interface actively trying to stab me in the eyeballs. I've occasionally tested 'the gimp' over the past 15 years. If the interface is still hostile after that long, they don't care.

-- GSH

[Ded10c]

Still works for me.

[MrTwosheds]

When you have to compete with folks who give their stuff away, it makes no sense to hide your products from the public. Allowing potential customers to access their older products gives them exposure to their technology and might actually create sales. Programs like this take a long time to learn, NOBODY without that experience is going to flash $100's on an unknown product, when there are free alternatives (even if they are a bit shoddy) unless they can see why they might want to do that.
Most digital graphic art does not actually need the finest technology. If Adobe want to sell to home users at all, then they are going to have to get their products out there onto peoples pc's so they can see why they want it.
Nice to see a bit of enlightened marketing from these companies.
http://www.adobe.com/downloads/cs2_downloads/index.html

[TnT]

GSH, thank you for that link.

I'm still using Premiere Pro 1.5. Each upgrade would have cost as much as my original purchase. Way to much for a part-time hobby.
If they are deactivating the server for CS2 my activation support is probably toast as well.

I would probably be SOL next time I make a change to my system or have to reinstall.

It is the most fussy thing I've ever dealt with. Change memory or move or resize partition; reactivate.

[Nielk1]

Nice to see a bit of enlightened marketing from these companies.

It has already been noted officially that those downloads are not supposed to be public and are only for those that already bought the software. No enlightened marketing here.

[Ded10c]

And yet they still haven't fixed it.

[MrTwosheds]

What a shame. Well I appreciate their generosity, deliberate or not photoshop, image ready and illustrator. Nice. I was still using photoshop 6 which is even more ancient (but fast)