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Another stupid question.....?
Is Photoshop CS4 Extended exactly the same as CS4 but with additional features?
I ask because I have been trying to purchase CS4 and have been offered CS4 Extended at a greatly reduced Student price.
John
Thanks Henchard, yes you are right, I am a computer dummie and I have wasted a lot of cash already.
Just making sure I dont waste any more.
Thanks for the link, very helpful.
I understand your point Strawman, and you may be right, but as I have no real knowledge of Elements 7 or CS4, and as the standard seems to be CS4, my thinking is that I should learn the full package especially as I am getting it at such a reduction in price.
The point of my question was that I am worried about the guy who is selling it to me and at this price (£180) am I getting the right package.
John
A few things
1) You may not need full photoshop, I do not and many others do not. Elements does an awful lot for photographers, Photoshop CS has a lot extra for graphic artists. Do you need that?
2) Elements7 look a lot like CS4 so learning on works helps with the other.
3) Photoshop updates every now and then so it would pay to wait till you are ready to use it.
4) Does it matter which version you get.
Sorry given you do not know what you want or need, why rush in?
I would say that if you are getting it at that price on those terms you are breaking the terms of the licence agreement and may have problems with upgrades in the future. It may be a legitimate copy but it is probably illegal.
I would say there are better things to spend your money on at this stage in your photography.
Quote: my thinking is that I should learn the full package
Not planning on going out or doing anything else for about 10 years then ? 
I have been using Photoshop since about 1993 ( as I have mentioned in other posts.. ) and I don't know the 'full package' yet.
One only learns what one needs to know with something like PhotoShop ( as a general rule, I think ) so depending on what you intend to use it for it may be a waste of money anyway ( plus, if you're getting it for 180 quid I doubt it's legit... ).
Work out what functionality you need from a package and base your buying decision on that would be my advice. I use PSP x2 at home, which does everything I need it to do ( I use photoshop at work, as it's 'industry standard'....and I don't have to pay for it ).
Nik
I cant tell you all exactly what I want or what I need. The reason must be obvious.......I am a total beginner and know nothing at all ablout the finer points of digital photogrsphy processing.
As I am now totally confused by all the jargon and specs I have decided that I will equip myself with what I gather to be what the majority of serious photographers are using.
To that end I assumed CS4 was the standard package in use. At a price of £500-£600 for the full version it does not seem out of line considering the amount spent on all the other equipment and to be offered it at £180 through a legitimate main street outlet (albeit in my grand daughters name) I could not refuse the chance.
My question was, is the version I am being offered "CS4 Extended Student Version" exactly the same as the the standard CS4 version.
I also realise that this software package is way beyond my capabilities at the moment but with the help of the right tools, and tens years, I might master it.
Someone said "a poor workman blames his tools, I agree but also feel that "to a better job you need the right tools.
Wow.............I'm ranting now........need a holiday..........cant afford it because I spent all my money on photography.
John
(ps) yes NicL, I do have ten years (hopefully) with nothing else to do.
Look here John £158.55 from Warehouse Express.....(on page 2)
Take the holiday. what point in getting photography kit if it is at the expense of taking photo's.
The message is Photoshop Elements is a version of Photoshop for Photographers. CS4 is also for graphic artist as well as photographers. You can learn photography in Elements. The core of the product is the same, just a few of the tools are missing. Many photographers can go through life without ever need full photoshop. It is not mandatory.
The lessons learnt in Elements carry forward to full photoshop as they are related, in fact the same core product. You already have elements, and the Student version of CS caries onwards it is not like it is a one off. So it costs you nothing in terms of learning or cash to wait. Als oby the time you decide you are up to using the full version, guess what CS5 is out, so you need to spend more.
The student edition has limitation in terms of end use and qualification. Buying it as you intend to violates the license deal and technically you are breaking the law. Also you are not entitled to upgrade it, you need to buy a fresh version. You are also not allowed to use it for commercial purposes, although policing such issues is difficult.
Its your money but you do not need to spend it. You will learn just as much by not spending the money.
To answer your original question just go to the Adobe site where you will find
Quote: Adobe® Photoshop® CS4 Extended software delivers all the features in Photoshop CS4, plus new features for working with 3D imagery, motion-based content, and advanced image analysis.
So it is CS4 plus extra bits to add to the list of tools you will pay for but not use.
But seriously, you are braking the license agreement if you buy CS4 that way, you are doing nothing to help your learning, and you may well be throwing money away. Learn on Elements and if you outgrow it, then get CS. But you may find you do not. You have nothing to loose, but potentially money to save.
Also read the Adobe T&C's I do no think your grand daughter qualifies.
Quote: Only full or part-time students enrolled at a higher education establishment, defined as an accredited public or private university or college that grants degrees requiring not less than the equivalent of two (2) years of full-time study, or students enrolled at an accredited public or private secondary school providing full-time instruction are eligible.
It would be painful to spend over £100 then have the license refused.
Whilst I broadly agree with advice not to rush in and buy CS4 - John has already rooted out a lab which allows photographers to convert directly to their printer profile. In doing so, he has also immediately hit upon one of the shortcomings of both Lightroom and Elements - and that is that you can't see the profile in either of them that you're converting to. Adobe only really let you get behind the steering wheel of the Adobe Colour Engine in the full version of PS.
I'm sure that can be varnished over (except by anyone that wants or needs dependable colour accuracy), but extensive 16-bit processing and layer mask capabilities are two areas which would stop me backtracking to Elements. I'm sure there are numerous other things I take for granted in my outmoded CS3. As Nik says, you get used to a few features of the full version, and from there it's difficult to go back.
John, why not just trial CS4 and output some files to the lab you want to use? That'll give you some real insight in whether or not the extra expenditure is worth it.
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