Adobe CS6/Creative Cloud Launch Party

Last night I attended the Adobe CS6/Creative Cloud Launch Party hosted by KC Design Core in conjunction with the D2W Conference here in Kansas City, Missouri, at the Berg Event Space.

Here's my report back from last night. The Adobe rep's name is Aaron Houston, who is the Community Manager, Adobe User Groups North America. You can contact him through twitter: @thisishouston1 (recommended) or email: [email protected]. He said he gets over 300 emails a day, and to save time, he googles the question, and copies & pastes the answer. In other words, google the question first before you email him.

1. On what OS will CS6/CC operate?
"Really, you could have just googled this." You will need 10.6.8 or above to utilize the Creative Cloud.

2. Can you download onto both Mac and PC?
You can install the apps available in Creative Cloud on your primary computer and one backup computer, as long as they are not running at the same time. You will have access to both the Mac OS and Windows versions, so if you have a Mac at home and a PC at work, for example, you can install your applications on both.

3. If you stop paying the monthly fee, will you be blocked from using the software you've downloaded?
Yep. No pay, no software. And you will have a limited time to access your files on the Cloud if your subscription expires. Google this, because there's loads more info on this than would fit here.

4. If blocked, can I use my earlier version of CS software?
Yes, but make sure you have registered your username and email with Adobe—this will be your saving grace. They stressed the importance of this username and email bit repeatedly as the only way you can be saved in ANY licensing/installation/activation scenario.

5. Can you save to earlier versions of CS?
Yes. The rep told me to google this; there are loads of answers on their FAQ. I think he was getting tired of answering by this point. Here's the Adobe FAQs link: http://forums.adobe.com/index.jspa

6. How often can Adobe change the pricing?
They're committed to this pricing for a year. After that, who knows?

7. When will hardware/OS updating become mandatory?
See question #1.

8. Are there just two downloads per subscription?
See question #2. Although, you can deactivate/activate computers as needed, as long as Adobe has your username & email connected with your serial number.

9. How do you expire a previous workstation/computer?
Check the Adobe FAQs. http://forums.adobe.com/index.jspa

10. Does the cloud have to authenticate each time you use the software?
No. But you do need to be connected to the internet at least once a month (every 20-25 days is recommended) to maintain your subscription.

11. About plug-ins… If I go with the cloud service, when CS7 comes out, will I have use of CS6 while my plug-ins catch up?
Just like software like iTunes, you can choose not to accept the update when the notice pops up.

12. Is CS6 going to include upgrades across the board?
From what they demoed last night, there are some major and some minor updates. Hard to say how much of each since there were so many demos, they were very brief.

13. Is there any way to get a CD instead of software downloads (bandwidth limitations)?
Yes. You can request a "replacement disk" for about $15. It will be subject to the lockout if your subscription expires.

14. Will you have to upgrade to CS6 to get CS7 when it comes out?
You have until August 31 of this year to upgrade from CS3 and newer to CS6 for the discounted price.

15. If you subscribe to CC, and the per-month cost become prohibitive for CS7, would I still be eligible for the upgrade cost for my legacy issue of CS5 or would I have to buy CS7 outright?
See question #14.

16. Are they bringing back anything like CS Review?
"I have no answer to that."

Thanks for reading; catch ya later.
Cami

p.s. Your good juju today: Happy Friday Eve!

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