Student Version

[ArvDesign]

Hi,
Recently I have been enrolled to college ( finally :P ) And my first steps there took me to book store. I see an ad about Creative Suite 2 for 399. What does it mean that it's a student version? Can't I use it for my business ?

[Drorain]

its a full retail version, use it while your in school. Your not really supposed to use it in professional work, but they may simply tell you not to worry about it until the newest version comes out, then you can upgrade it to full retail.

oh look at that...2500 posts :D

[Navian]

What does it mean that it's a student version? Can't I use it for my business ?

Thats just what it says: Educational/Student Version. In the EULA (End Users License Agreement), and sometimes it says on some programs to be used only for educational purposes.

IF you are caught using educational/student software with your business (get the full version, its a write off as a tool/device) by the software company, be prepared for a lawsuit, and they will. They charge quite a bit (I know its alot), but its there product, there rules.

Honestly I'd think they'd let you get the educational version for even cheaper but, they have to make something.

I see it all the time in some companies, where they dont have proper licenses.

I've seen people/companies put software when they only own 1 license to on multiple computers, but its a no-no. You can (depends on software & ELUA) put the software on 1 desktop and 1 laptop if both are used by one user.

If you do this, try not to get caught. Just be worried when you have to do inventory, and have to claim up software titles and licenses, if you cant, your in for a world of crap.

[ArvDesign]

So let me get it straight, I can't use it for my business. I can't deduct it from my taxes if I buy student version. But can I upgrade it to normal ( and for how much ? ) if I decide to do so?

[Navian]

So let me get it straight, I can't use it for my business. I can't deduct it from my taxes if I buy student version. But can I upgrade it to normal ( and for how much ? ) if I decide to do so?

Your best bet is to just get the full version. Complete write off. Getting the student version then upgrading it, may cost a little more, and it would take a bit more time.

Edit* oh and I would get the full version because of the headaches later on, especially on reloading software on a machine that took a dive.

Think about it: loading student version then, running the upgrade (which may download extra files), every time. It's not worth it. It takes 45min-hr to load the student version on my laptop (for school) and it has a new AMD Turion64 w/ 1gb of ram. the upgrade would probably take 30-45+min extra to load up.

[Rocketpig]

You can also deduct the student version since it is an educational tool.

[Navian]

Yes, but you cant use it to make money or for a business (EULA). you can only use it to "train/educate". And submitting documentation on your inventory you must show that, if you lie its fraud.

Inventory effects your business taxes. Honestly I'd leave the IRS alone, people try to fight them, but most always lose. Not worth it.

[rockem]

if it is for business, just write it off, dont mess with educational version if your starting a business your just asking for trouble. And if your starting a bis and those couple hundred bucks is really hindering you, do you think you should be starting it anyways

[Navian]

if your starting a bis and those couple hundred bucks is really hindering you, do you think you should be starting it anyways

No need to really worry about that:

SBA (http://www.sba.gov/) Small Business Administration

Just find the local office in your state and go in to find more information about the extra bucks.

[chalsema]

From the Adobe web site:

"There are no restrictions on the use of educational product versions for commercial purposes, and educational customers may continue to purchase regular upgrades upon completion of their studies. However, customers must first qualify to purchase educational versions of Adobe products."

What do you guys make of that?

Here's the address I got it from: http://www.adobe.com/support/salesdocs/1002268.html

Edit: I'm not trying to be rude. I really am curious, because I know some people who are using that line to use the Ed. version for freelance work.

[D Lucks]

From the Adobe web site:

"There are no restrictions on the use of educational product versions for commercial purposes, and educational customers may continue to purchase regular upgrades upon completion of their studies. However, customers must first qualify to purchase educational versions of Adobe products."
Sounds to me like they don't mind you making a buck or two while in school, OR you can use the education as a base install as long as you buy the normal upgrades after school? Maybe both too? That is worded a little tricky.

[Navian]

Okay you made me go find it, it says:

HERE (http://www.adobe.com/education/purchasing/faq.html#profcomm)
Student question
"I'm very interested in buying the Education version of Adobe Creative Suite, but first I want to know if the software can be used to produce work for paying customers once I am working in the industry, or do I have to buy a different version of Creative Suite once I'm working in the industry?”

Answer
Good news! You can use Adobe Education software (any title!) to produce commercial/professional paid-for work when you leave school, or even while you are in school. In this regard, Adobe does not limit how student software is used. So students can use it to learn and to make money!

(Of course, students must agree to the terms of the End User Licensing Agreement — which appears during installation — just as every software customer must do.)

Why even bother? Its a pain to get it even if you are a student, took me 3 weeks to get mine, because they called my school to confirm. I really hate, the legal terms/talk. Best to avoid it, who knows, one day they put that on there site, the next min or next day, they could change it, then you could be in trouble.

General software rule of thumb:
Educational/Student versions for school/teaching
Commercial versions used to make money with.

I personaly wouldnt want to deal with that fire. I'll deal with the cost on the commercial version, when I get to that crossroad.

[ArvDesign]

chalsema - wow, that comment will shake up everything. So guys, what's going on about it?

[reuber1]

According to chalsema's link, if you buy it as a student, you can use it for profit. However, if you're like me, out of school, and royally f'cked about getting software for cheap, then you're screwed.

Which comes to my question: if I didn't have a buddy with CS 2 that I mooch off of, how would I update my portfoliio after college to stay fresh for interviews? It's been a year and a half since I graduated, and I'm still looking for even just a production artist job...my school projects are very dated. Without a career level job, and paying student loans out the ass, it's damn near impossible to afford the regular thing and get started in the first place. They say freelance to get experience, but to freelance you technically need the full version of the software to work, which costs a lot for someone not making the money...

[Rocketpig]

To offset the costs of software, you should be able to buy updates of CS2 and install them over the top of the educational versions... That way you wouldn't have to spend such a giant amount of money up front for newer software.

[reuber1]

Thing is, how would I even legally get an educational version? I graduated in '04.

[chalsema]

Find someone to buy one for you?

[MD]

Thing is, how would I even legally get an educational version? I graduated in '04.
Or sign up for a class at your local tech college. Buy the software - and drop the class to get your money back if you don't feel the need to brush up on your skill set

[reuber1]

Ah, good point.

I have access to the program if I need it, just wondering "what if?" 70% of my battle is coming up with the idea on paper, the other 30% is doing the work on the computer, so it's not like I'm desperate for it. Then again, I'm only doing made-up 'folio work, not real world "my-client-requests-9,000-revisions" work.

[PersonasBinar]

wow the reversal of "can you buy me some beer" "Hey kid.... go get me that CS3 suite would ya?"

[Rocketpig]

If you want another cheap and legal way to get into Adobe's software suite, buy old versions of Photoshop & Illustrator on eBay for about 20 bucks each and then purchase the upgrades.

That's what I did when I had to "go legal" about 4 years ago. It cost me $175 a program and is completely legal.

[Patrick Shannon]

I own an obscene amount of legit software thanks to Ebay and wise upgrade tricks. If you do go the Ebay route, just be careful about who you deal with. You can indeed get awesome deals; I got an unopened, legitimate boxed version of Flash MX for $90 once, amongst others. However more often than not, Ebay software is just CD-R copies or educational versions. Based upon my experiences...

1. ALWAYS ask the seller if the software is full retail before you bid. If it's not, then they lied and product is not as advertised and you are entitled to your money back.

2. Check the seller's profile and see if they're selling multiple versions of the same product. If they are, very very likely it's pirated copies.

3. Even if the feedback is flawless, your average soccer mom Ebayer might not understand how to spot fake software out. So don't just go by rating alone.

4. If seller is using a generic picture (pulled off some website), it doesn't necessarily mean that the software is fake, but it's a possible warning flag. If the seller took their own picture of the package (and contents are exposed), this is good.

5. Remember, if it sounds TOO good to be true, it probably is.

6. Ask the seller if the software is registered, and if it can be transferred to your name. This alone should weed them right out. If they answer something to the effect that either 1.) they got the software from someone else and can't transfer it themselves, or 2.) it's not necessary to register to use the software, back off.

7. Product activation sucks, but one good thing about it is that it actually helps identify bad software from Ebay. If they're advertising that activation isn't necessary (on an activation product), talk to the hand.

7. If ever in question about a product, call it's respective company. If you suspect you have a pirated copy, you can try to Google the serial number and see if it pops up at any WaReZ/serial sites.

[PersonasBinar]

If you buy a CD and you get three for free
...run like it's hot... run like it's hot.

[Patrick Shannon]

Now a question of my own based on earlier comments, writing off store-bought software on taxes. Can this still be done if you didn't save the receipt? (I know...I know....) Would software proof of purchase be enough?

[PersonasBinar]

hmmm I suppose not if you were writing the expense of the software off, as it has to relate to how much you spent. That would be like writing off 80K for a Mercedes because you have a hood ornament. Off course I could be completely wrong, but I REALLY think they want all those stupid pieces of paper.

[EC]

Now a question of my own based on earlier comments, writing off store-bought software on taxes. Can this still be done if you didn't save the receipt? (I know...I know....) Would software proof of purchase be enough?

You can write off expenses without a receipt up to a certain amount (per day I believe) but it's pretty low, like 50 bucks maybe. At least *I THINK* (warning, I am not a tax accountant). I read something along the lines of -- you can jot notes in your calendar "bought office supplies $30" and then use that. But honestly like I'm organized enough for that. If I don't have a receipt or I've lost it, it doesn't get written off. :(