What are you working on (in January 2025)?

[Cassel]

I also had to get PSE2024. I have CS5, that I purchased years ago. I used it only to run actions (I have a large collection). However, in September, when I upgraded my computer, the tech guy had to copy my C drive to a more compact one to fit in the smaller tower. Unfortunately, Adobe considered that copy/paste as an additional activation. Since I didn't know it would, I never knew I had to "deactivate" the current license, before copying/pasting to the new drive. I contacted support and they keep suggesting that I deactivate the "old installation", which is impossible. After pushing and pushing, they offered me a special discounted price of $29.99/month with 6 months free. For a program I might use 2-3 times a year, that is far from a good deal. When I found out that PSE can run actions (although not 100% compatible), it was a no-brainer: I needed something to run those actions when needed.

I am certainly not going to start learning or teaching PSE though. I only needed it for those actions! (and I might look at those styles again too).

[Rene Marker]

  On 2/2/2025 at 2:40 PM, Cristina said:

Julie, I'm so happy you also could get the PSE2024 version. 🙂  IMHO, learning PSE is easier than Affinity.   

However, I like what Affinity has to offer very much.   Ultimately, everything gets easier once we learn the program well.

Expand  

I had a different experience with PSE (although it was many years ago). I had gotten it in a bundle when I bought a computer (I think). I found it hard to learn. Learning Affinity has been much easier for me. I even took 2 classes on it by Jessica Sprague.

[Donna Sillia]

  On 2/2/2025 at 4:54 PM, Cassel said:

I also had to get PSE2024. I have CS5, that I purchased years ago. I used it only to run actions (I have a large collection). However, in September, when I upgraded my computer, the tech guy had to copy my C drive to a more compact one to fit in the smaller tower. Unfortunately, Adobe considered that copy/paste as an additional activation. Since I didn't know it would, I never knew I had to "deactivate" the current license, before copying/pasting to the new drive. I contacted support and they keep suggesting that I deactivate the "old installation", which is impossible. After pushing and pushing, they offered me a special discounted price of $29.99/month with 6 months free. For a program I might use 2-3 times a year, that is far from a good deal. When I found out that PSE can run actions (although not 100% compatible), it was a no-brainer: I needed something to run those actions when needed.

I am certainly not going to start learning or teaching PSE though. I only needed it for those actions! (and I might look at those styles again too).

Expand  

I also have CS5 but I used the disk to add it when I upgraded my computer. I used it mostly for styles, text effects and 3D. Now I also have PSE 2025, and I continue to use it for styles that I already had and for styles that I have downloaded from CF. I'll have to look into actions; I have a few but haven't really used them a lot. The cost of PS CC is too expensive for me, too, as I don't use it that much. I found a PSE forum that has actions to download, but haven't had time to try any yet.

[Cassel]

  On 2/2/2025 at 5:06 PM, Donna Sillia said:

I also have CS5 but I used the disk to add it when I upgraded my computer.

Expand  

I also have the disk but the activation is somehow registered somewhere and I have no access to it. Even if I uninstall everything and reinstall with the disk, the activation is still counted. I had no way out to use my PAID version (and it was expensive!).

[Susan Ewart]

  On 2/2/2025 at 1:54 PM, Julie Magerka said:

You did it! I was so surprised to see you could get v. 2024 so I went to look and there it was! It's all your fault, Susan, that I just spent 160 Can$ when I wasn't going to buy anything for a while. There were comments that some folks had trouble installing it, so we'll see how that goes! I think I prefer PSE to AFF; some features/tools are just better and I have so many PS files from different designers.

Expand  

I had to laugh at this.  I too was going to stick with PSP only, then I wanted AFF because everyone was getting it.  I didnt want to be left out. hahaha.  I'm a certified lemming!  Then I thought I'd get PSE cause it's the "last" stand alone and when I couldnt get it, I wanted it more!  I was even willing to get a Mac version since I brought home (from the recycle bin at work) what I thought was a Mac Wifi box that I could take out the computer board to take pictures of.  It turned out to be a Mac mini (albeit from 2014), so I thought I could use that for PSE if I had to get a Mac version.  

The real surprise.  Warts and all,  I found out I truly LOVE PSP and and just how it looks and how it works and especially how the canvas behaves on the workspace. And I live in hope that one day it will be resurrected.  

[Susan Ewart]

  On 2/2/2025 at 4:54 PM, Cassel said:

I also had to get PSE2024. I have CS5, that I purchased years ago. I used it only to run actions (I have a large collection). However, in September, when I upgraded my computer, the tech guy had to copy my C drive to a more compact one to fit in the smaller tower. Unfortunately, Adobe considered that copy/paste as an additional activation. Since I didn't know it would, I never knew I had to "deactivate" the current license, before copying/pasting to the new drive. I contacted support and they keep suggesting that I deactivate the "old installation", which is impossible. After pushing and pushing, they offered me a special discounted price of $29.99/month with 6 months free. For a program I might use 2-3 times a year, that is far from a good deal. When I found out that PSE can run actions (although not 100% compatible), it was a no-brainer: I needed something to run those actions when needed.

I am certainly not going to start learning or teaching PSE though. I only needed it for those actions! (and I might look at those styles again too).

Expand  

That is terrible customer service! Such a large company can certainly reset your activation and at least "appear" to their customers back; Corel did that for me twice! (before Alludo).  I received the same from CF this year, it will be my last year with them. It's nice to learn from you and Donna that I can use actions too (mostly).  

[Rene Marker]

  On 2/3/2025 at 1:10 AM, Susan Ewart said:

That is terrible customer service! Such a large company can certainly reset your activation and at least "appear" to their customers back; Corel did that for me twice! (before Alludo).  I received the same from CF this year, it will be my last year with them. It's nice to learn from you and Donna that I can use actions too (mostly).  

Expand  

Adobe actually doesn't appear to care about their customers, just the bottom line $$$$. That's why so many are leaving their subscriptions and going to Affinity. So many scrapbookers used PSE since it was a stand alone program and they are hating that from PSE2025 on it is only a 3 year license. Some are still using version 13 from 2014 or version 15 from 2016. The program still works for what they do so they don't feel the need to upgrade.

You should consider yourself lucky that you got PSE 2024. I know a couple gals that tried and couldn't get it.

[Cristina]

  On 2/2/2025 at 4:43 PM, Julie Magerka said:

I'm pretty happy about it too! I owe Susan Ewart a glass of wine for the tip.

Expand  

I do, too, Julie! 🍷   All your fault, Susan! 😄  Thanks for sharing the info!

Now I'll keep an eye on Amazon more frequently and not just wait for the email offers!

 

[Cristina]

  On 2/2/2025 at 4:57 PM, Rene Marker said:

I had a different experience with PSE (although it was many years ago). I had gotten it in a bundle when I bought a computer (I think). I found it hard to learn. Learning Affinity has been much easier for me. I even took 2 classes on it by Jessica Sprague.

Expand  

Rene, I found PSE easier to learn because of its terminology, which I think looks more like PSP.   Also, the tool options palette in Affinity has settings I still need to figure out.

That said, I love the challenge, and if they had a fantastic offer like the one I had with PSE on Amazon, I'd get the app.

I don't know Jessica Sprague, but I'll take note, and who knows in the future?  Right now, I'm not touching scrapbooking but learning about the programs and their tools.

For the following weeks, I'll do scrapbooking only when Carole offers a workshop on Affinity.

[Cristina]

  On 2/2/2025 at 5:23 PM, Cassel said:

I had no way out to use my PAID version (and it was expensive!).

Expand  

This is no fun when we have a paid program and cannot use it. 😞 

[Julie Magerka]

  On 2/3/2025 at 1:03 AM, Susan Ewart said:

I had to laugh at this.  I too was going to stick with PSP only, then I wanted AFF because everyone was getting it.  I didnt want to be left out. hahaha.  I'm a certified lemming!  Then I thought I'd get PSE cause it's the "last" stand alone and when I couldnt get it, I wanted it more!  I was even willing to get a Mac version since I brought home (from the recycle bin at work) what I thought was a Mac Wifi box that I could take out the computer board to take pictures of.  It turned out to be a Mac mini (albeit from 2014), so I thought I could use that for PSE if I had to get a Mac version.  

The real surprise.  Warts and all,  I found out I truly LOVE PSP and and just how it looks and how it works and especially how the canvas behaves on the workspace. And I live in hope that one day it will be resurrected.  

Expand  

We can be lemmings together! Anything bright & shiny & new catches my eye! Or does that make me a magpie?

Edited February 3 by Julie Magerka

[Julie Magerka]

  On 2/3/2025 at 2:44 AM, Rene Marker said:

Adobe actually doesn't appear to care about their customers, just the bottom line $$$$. That's why so many are leaving their subscriptions and going to Affinity. So many scrapbookers used PSE since it was a stand alone program and they are hating that from PSE2025 on it is only a 3 year license. Some are still using version 13 from 2014 or version 15 from 2016. The program still works for what they do so they don't feel the need to upgrade.

You should consider yourself lucky that you got PSE 2024. I know a couple gals that tried and couldn't get it.

Expand  

I can't think of many companies nowadays that I would consider as really "caring" about their customers. It always seems to be about money and profits. That's what happens with so many corporations taking control of smaller businesses. I don't think Adobe is any more egregious that many others. It's despicable, but it's the way of the world.

[Rene Marker]

  On 2/3/2025 at 8:59 PM, Julie Magerka said:

I can't think of many companies nowadays that I would consider as really "caring" about their customers. It always seems to be about money and profits. That's what happens with so many corporations taking control of smaller businesses. I don't think Adobe is any more egregious that many others. It's despicable, but it's the way of the world.

Expand  

True, but at least at this time Affinity is letting you buy the program outright. In Carole's case, Adobe abandoned her as a long time customer since they wouldn't let her reactivate a not cheap program that she had purchased. I also tend to think that the time will come that those of us with older versions of PSP will not be able to activate them on new computers. Heck, I have X7 with a registration key and have not been able to activate it on my last 2 computers. I hated when JASC got bought out by Corel who also bought out Word Perfect from Novell Corporation. And, now with Alludo in charge, RIP PSP.

[Julie Magerka]

  On 2/3/2025 at 9:46 PM, Rene Marker said:

True, but at least at this time Affinity is letting you buy the program outright. In Carole's case, Adobe abandoned her as a long time customer since they wouldn't let her reactivate a not cheap program that she had purchased. I also tend to think that the time will come that those of us with older versions of PSP will not be able to activate them on new computers. Heck, I have X7 with a registration key and have not been able to activate it on my last 2 computers. I hated when JASC got bought out by Corel who also bought out Word Perfect from Novell Corporation. And, now with Alludo in charge, RIP PSP.

Expand  

I think you may be right about PSP and the corporate attitude towards it.

[Corrie Kinkel]

  On 2/3/2025 at 1:03 AM, Susan Ewart said:

I had to laugh at this.  I too was going to stick with PSP only, then I wanted AFF because everyone was getting it.  I didnt want to be left out. hahaha.  I'm a certified lemming!  Then I thought I'd get PSE cause it's the "last" stand alone and when I couldnt get it, I wanted it more!  I was even willing to get a Mac version since I brought home (from the recycle bin at work) what I thought was a Mac Wifi box that I could take out the computer board to take pictures of.  It turned out to be a Mac mini (albeit from 2014), so I thought I could use that for PSE if I had to get a Mac version.  

The real surprise.  Warts and all,  I found out I truly LOVE PSP and and just how it looks and how it works and especially how the canvas behaves on the workspace. And I live in hope that one day it will be resurrected.  

Expand  

Although I'm trying my best to learn Affinity, I have the same hope as you that some one some day sees the possibilities to blow new life into PSP. Well isn't the saying hope dies the last?

[Susan Ewart]

  On 2/2/2025 at 4:43 PM, Julie Magerka said:

I'm pretty happy about it too! I owe Susan Ewart a glass of wine for the tip.

Expand  

Yikes, we are all collecting programs like we collect fonts. ...we are big trouble. I wish I was a cat, then I'd surely use up all 9 lives and still not have learned everything I want to learn in these programs.

[Susan Ewart]

  On 2/3/2025 at 2:44 AM, Rene Marker said:

Adobe actually doesn't appear to care about their customers, just the bottom line $$$$. That's why so many are leaving their subscriptions and going to Affinity. So many scrapbookers used PSE since it was a stand alone program and they are hating that from PSE2025 on it is only a 3 year license. Some are still using version 13 from 2014 or version 15 from 2016. The program still works for what they do so they don't feel the need to upgrade.

You should consider yourself lucky that you got PSE 2024. I know a couple gals that tried and couldn't get it.

Expand  

I agree with what you say about Adobe.  I am lucky and it's weird that a few weeks earlier it was all sold out everywhere.  I do still have PSE10 & 12, but I thought it would be too old to use.  I was originally going to donate it to goodwill, maybe I'll keep the 12 Edition in case I want to use it one day.  I fear the day when our programs require us to go online to use them.  

[Susan Ewart]

  On 2/3/2025 at 10:26 PM, Julie Magerka said:

I think you may be right about PSP and the corporate attitude towards it.

Expand  

I think this too.  I worked at two companies that got bought out and they were closed a very short time afterward.  In one company I worked at, Fuji (Film) bought the company because kodak wanted to buy it and they didnt want their competitor to buy it.  Then Fuji sold it to a holding company, who's business was to buy and sell companies.  It didn't last much longer after that.  I think if kodak was able to take it on, they'd still be around.