Looking for older (cheaper) version of Photoshop

[Tom Katzke]

I finally decided to get PhotoShop. I can only run up to Windows version 7.0 as my system would need to be upgraded to run anything newer. It works fine otherwise so that is out till it quits. I took the chance and got a copy off of eBay. It is pirated so I am fighting with the seller to refund my $. That is a story in its self.

I have searched to try and find a good source for software on-line. Could not find any that sold older versions. Any suggestions on where I can get a legal copy of PhotoShop 7.0 for Windows? I would really like a printed book and a copy I can register so when the system gets upgraded I can upgrade the software. Oh and cheep too. I am not asking for much am I ? Tom Katzke Central Oregon

[Johanna]

Tom,

Because you are running Windows 98, I am surprised PhotoShop7 even works. I would lay dollars to doughnuts that even a legit copy wouldn't allow you to take advantage of all the features in PhotoShop because your hardware (graphics card, processor etc) won't handle it.

PhotoShop is a huge and powerful graphics editor, and has a price to match. (about $650 , last time I looked) What exactly do you want to do with it? There are lots of free and cheaper alternatives until you upgrade your hardware.

I have e-manuals in pdfs for every version from 4 on that I could share, if anyone is interested. Pirated software has risks- if you let it "phone home", it may shut down on you. (See the "activation" section in Help) The license agreement clearly forbids transfers or modifications to the software.

I have PhotoShop, and I have a pretty snappy AMD 3000+ desktop. PS is so bloated (especially with the new Macromedia stuff) that I seldom use it for quick editing jobs. Irfanview is free, and does most of the same things. http://www.irfanview.com/

If anyone wants a manual, let me know and I'll upload it for you. (Too big to email)

HTH

Johanna

[Tom Katzke]

Thanks Johanna, I use Irfanview as well as Picasa. They work fine for quick fixes of about half of my images. I am not happy with the way the other half come out. I find that my requirements are getting above the capabilities of these programs. I just found out that PhotoShop has a way to change the perspective of an object. No more needing to get the lighting just right to cut glare and no more need to accept pictures of reflective objects that have the camera reflected like a mirror. I have resisted getting PhotoShop for all this time and now have been talked into it. It unfortunately seems to be the industry standard for fixing images. I find that most people willing to give advice are using it. Best way to put that advice to work is use the same program they are. I have no intention of using the pirated copy. It is going to Adobe after I swear out a complaint with the Postal Inspector for Mail Fraud. I am looking at other ways to get my pound of flesh from the pirate. Any suggestions on other software that will do advanced photo fixing are welcome. I am not excited at the prospect of learning the intricate details of PhotoShop. Tom Katzke Central Oregon

Tom,

Because you are running Windows 98, I am surprised PhotoShop7 even works. I would lay dollars to doughnuts that even a legit copy wouldn't allow you to take advantage of all the features in PhotoShop because your hardware (graphics card, processor etc) won't handle it.

PhotoShop is a huge and powerful graphics editor, and has a price to match. (about $650 , last time I looked) What exactly do you want to do with it? There are lots of free and cheaper alternatives until you upgrade your hardware.

I have e-manuals in pdfs for every version from 4 on that I could share, if anyone is interested. Pirated software has risks- if you let it "phone home", it may shut down on you. (See the "activation" section in Help) The license agreement clearly forbids transfers or modifications to the software.

I have PhotoShop, and I have a pretty snappy AMD 3000+ desktop. PS is so bloated (especially with the new Macromedia stuff) that I seldom use it for quick editing jobs. Irfanview is free, and does most of the same things. http://www.irfanview.com/

If anyone wants a manual, let me know and I'll upload it for you. (Too big to email)

HTH

Johanna

[bruce johnson]

Tom,

I have Irfanview, Photo Deluxe, and some other software that came with cameras or scanners. I also have HP Imagezone (was on the scanner disc for my laptop) and I downloaded it from the net onto my PC. I usually like it the best. I recently got Photoshop Elements 4.0. We learned a bit about it from a camera class we took. It is Ok, the plus is it comes with a book, and you can buy other books on it. I generally find I learn better from reading and seeing a picture, than from the help section of the software. I think once I figure out Elements more, I will like what it can do. I think Elements cost me about $80. If your computer can handle Elements, might be worth a try. Have a good one.

Bruce Johnson

[dsenette]

i've got photoshop cs2 and it's the closest thing to god that i have ever found...the perspective tool is EXTREMELY handy...and i have yet to find another software that can do it quite as easily...though...the CLOSEST software that i've found is The Gimp(hehe funny software for leather folk)....it's opensource (means free) and once you learn how to use it (not easy) you can do just about everything that photoshop can do...i however do not know the system requirements...if it will work on your machine...maybe give it a try

[wes]

The very best resource for open source softwares is SourceForge.net

The software is written for various OS platforms: Linux, Unix, Microsoft Windows, BSD, etc,

These programs are full featured and maintained. All softwares are void of tracking code, adware, external links, spyware, rootkits, etc. (Most free softwares on the 'net extol a heavy price of privacy invasion.)

It will take a while to learn to navigate the site but the time spent locating just the right software is very well worth the effort.

My computer operating system is Linux and all of my softwares are Open Source. I have absolutely no purchased programs on my computer. I have two daughters at Univ of Colo.: one will receive her B.S. in Computer Science & Engineering this coming May; the other is a graduate student working on her Master's degree in Computer Science & Engineering. Both have Linus OS in their laptops and desktops and use only Open Source software.

I do not recommend Linux for the casual user, but I do recommend open source programs from SourceForge.net for Microsoft Windows OS.

Edited September 3, 2006 by wes