Jeff,

If you go to eBay and do a search for "Photoshop 3" and "Photoshop 3.0" you'll pull up all kinds of software for sale, most of it unsuitable, ie: LE, tutorials, clones, etc.. What you want to look for is a full retail version of Adobe Photoshop 3.0 (Windows or Mac - although I understand that Adobe will honor either for whatever you have). Check for payment methods. You want someone who will accept a money order. Why? Because most of the "shysters" who look for suckers on eBay know better than to accept a money order through the U.S. mail system and bring in the U.S. Postal authorities on their scam. PayPal may cut them off after awhile, but it's too easy for them to "cut and run" with PayPal and setup again under a different name, IMO.

Contact the seller and ask, "Are you the original owner? If so, has it been registered? If so, are you willing to sign a license transfer at no additional cost?" If the seller is the original owner and it hasn't been registered, have them call Adobe to make sure (888) 724-4508. If it has been registered, have them call to make sure that they are registered as the license holder - mine wasn't, but it turned out to be no problem as it was in her husband's name (a small difference, but it can hold up your license for weeks "after the fact"). Once you've got a "deal" (or even before, as I did) call Adobe and get an account set up (no charge - get your account #), and get a "Transfer License Case #" (do this now and it saves a couple of weeks if you do it later).

OK, so now you've gotten an out-of-date Photoshop 3.0 program. With time and patience, you got it for $40-50. You can use higher versions, but most of these go for double or triple this amount. I lucked out on a v.5.0, but it was purely by "chance". Keep a careful watch on the prices as I've seen some bidders (suckers?) get carried away and pay up to $120-$150. You don't need the manual, registration card or even the software. What you do need is just the registration number. That's all it takes to open the upgrade version (keep reading). So if someone lists just the cd (or floppies) and confirms that everything else is in order, including the registration number - that's all that you need. Why pay more for a sealed floppy or cd that you don't even need?

So now you do a search for "Photoshop CS" and look for the "upgrade" versions only - full retail versions again if you are going to use it for business purposes. You should be able to buy one for less than $150.

Can all of this really be done? Yup! My total cost was $205, and it took me 11 days - would have had it done sooner (4 days) but I got interrupted on a few bids for 3.0 versions by business calls (those ended up selling for $36). Obviously I snipe bid (wait until the very last minute).

You need to have the seller download the License Transfer Agreement form and fill out his/her parts and then send it to you with the software (or do as I did - tell the seller to just email you the registration number and throw out the rest - no need to pay for s&h for something that you don't need. Just make sure that you don't loose the registration #). The whole new program is on the CS cd and the "old" registration number opens it. You don't download the old PS version. Once you get the Adobe License Transfer form (available on their website), you complete it and send it in to Adobe. It takes about 2 weeks for them to set you up as the new license holder.

Adobe License Transfer information (straight from the horse's mouth, so to speak):

http://www.adobe.com/support/salesdocs/1000554.html

Is it worth it? For me, yes. I was in no big hurry. The time that it took was minimal and the money that I saved went toward a larger Wacom Intuos 3 (6"x8" instead of a 4"x5" - glad I've got it too!).

I hope that this information helps you out.

CJ



JeffTnikon wrote:
> Could you explain? If not here than could you e-mail? I would be
> interested in hearing your procedure. Thanks!
>
>
> CJMax wrote:
> > Jeff,
> >
> > If you do it right, you can get a full version, legal PS CS setup
> > for about $200, which is what I did.
> >
> > CJ
> >
> > JeffTnikon wrote:
> > >
> > > My new tablet came with some great software also. Adobe Photoshop
> > > Elements 3, Nik Color Efex Pro 2.0, Wacom Brushes, and Corel
> > > Painter Essentials 2.0. Also got a coupon from Adobe to get the
> > > full version of CS for $299.00!
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > JeffTnikon wrote:
> > > >
> > > > CJMax wrote:
> > > >
> > > > I just got my Intuos 3, 6"x8" today also! Cant wait to get to
> > > > practicing and using it! Good luck with yours :)
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > > Well, my Wacom, Intuos 3, 6"x8" tablet arrived this afternoon.
> > > > > What a hunk of pure delight. It is everything and more than I
> > > > > could have hoped for.
> > > > >
> > > > > For what it's worth I got mine through Wendy at Discount Dragon.
> > > > > Her prices are competitive, and she kept me informed and up-to-date
> > > > > as my order was processed and shipped. Hats off to her.
> > > > >
> > > > > Now to get that CS in and installed and to get busy...
> > > > >
> > > > > CJ
> > > > > --
> > > > > www.pbase.com/cjmax/galleries
> > > > >
> > > > > 'May the best you've ever seen
> > > > > Be the worst you'll ever see...'
> > > > > from A Scots Toast by Robert Burns
> > > >
> > >
> >
> > --
> > www.pbase.com/cjmax/galleries
> >
> > 'May the best you've ever seen
> > Be the worst you'll ever see...'
> > from A Scots Toast by Robert Burns
>

--
www.pbase.com/cjmax/galleries

'May the best you've ever seen
Be the worst you'll ever see...'
from A Scots Toast by Robert Burns