Adobe, Linux Support, and the Linux Foundation.

[gai.ra.III]

While generally I've only lurked the Adobe forums I've finally worked up guts to post this. I also know that about every 1-2 months this question is asked but I think it deserves a another go around.

My premises is this:

Adobe joined the Linux Foundation in 2008 for a focus on Linux for Web 2.0  Applications like Adobe® Flash® Player and Adobe AIR™. Currently Adobe holds a silver membership status with the Linux Foundation. So why in the world do they not have any Creative Cloud Programs available in Linux without the need for WINE and other such workarounds. I think it's a sucky move to support the Linux Foundation and use Linux in the back-end while not doing anything to support actual Linux users who have for at least a decade requested Adobe desktop products on Linux. Sure it's going to take a lot of manpower, financial resources, etc. But to truly support Linux and the Linux Foundation I think it's necessary that y'all do make things like Photoshop and Lightroom available for the Linux desktop. In any regards the wider Linux community would most likely help with testing and debugging programs. We're used to it.

[TehThird]

Yeah where is CS6 in my cloud?

[Guest]

I recently left the Windows user community having bought a new laptop ad being horrified at how horrible Windows 8 was. First thing I did was strip it and install Ubuntu, since then my life has been much improved!

I'm a software designer, formerly a user of Adobe Creative Suite. Since making the move to Ubuntu, I have replaced everything I used to use on Windows with a suitable Ubuntu couterpart, unfortunately this also includes CS4 which I had been using happily for some time.

Dreamweaver has been replaced with Aptana, Photoshop with GIMP. Dreamweaver is not without it faults, but it has some features which I do miss. Aptana is very good, but I miss Dreamweaver sometimes. I should point out that this is the ONLY thing I miss, and I am certainly not prepared to pay for a Windows license just to use this. I would, however, be more than happy to pay for a Creative Cloud license if it were available for Ubuntu. That would be very welcome.

I don't miss Microsoft Office, that's been replaced with Libre Office and Thunderbird. And guess what? They never crash! Neither do Aptana or GIMP. It's bliss.

So come on Adobe, instead of asking people not to continue posting this request because you've already had so many similar requests, why not just get on with it. Four years ago you said it was on "your engineers' radar" so by now surely it should be available. Be cool, be a trend-setter, go against the corporate grain. Let's see Creative Suite for Linux.

[bobdoe3784]

Folks, I like Linux, despite its warts (Main Linux problems on the desktop, 2015 edition), but let's be realistic here: Adobe is not going to port over Creative Cloud to native Linux. Probably never.

Part of it is financial (as some have explained, Linux users are often very cheap and paying for Linux-devs to maintain/port code is not cheap) but I think the core issue is that Linux as it exists today on the desktop isn't really a safe bet for any company.

I think Linux in the form Android and Chrome OS is what intrigues businesses and users, and it's no mystery why: Those power most smartphones and zero-hassle laptops and that's what the majority of consumers and end users want.

So I think stuff like the Adobe Education Exchange Photoshop CC Streaming thing is about as close as desktop Linux users will ever get. AND HONESTLY, THAT'S NOT BAD AT ALL!

I've done graphic design now for over a decade, went to school for it, worked at downtown Chicago marketing companies doing it, etc. and of all the stuff Adobe makes, the only REAL program I need is Photoshop. Everything else I can actually mind alternatives to. Photoshop though is their killer app, and if Photoshop is going to live in a browser, that means I am no longer tied to any platform or device to use it (yes, I know it's Chrome only for now, but it's a gloried OnLive-like remote desktop app).

So stop expecting CC on Linux to happen. The best you could ever hope for is to get Photoshop ported over anyways, and that is likely to never occur. The Photoshop CC Streaming thing is the next best thing, and should ultimately work the same whether you're running Windows, Mac, Linux, FreeBSD, Android, iOS, etc. or whatever else can run a web browser.

[keoflex]

I don't understand why they wouldn't do it.  Mac is built on Unix so it shouldn't be to difficult to port while maintaining secure access to their product.  People that want to get free access are going to try to subvert the system no matter what OS the system supports.  Adobe is literally the only reason I would run windows and is about 60% of the reason I currently run a mac.  (That number would be less if Apple would lower their stinking prices)

[clayton cp50101]

Decisions made by Adobe are necessarily shortsighted economic decisions because like any public company their valuation is based on the immediate perception of value to shareholders rather than the creation of long term utility. You - the community of creators, thinkers and doers - we who actually create value - will always be a step ahead of those trying to capitalize on it.

I too have been just another trained monkey for Microsoft, Adobe and Apple. These companies have jumped the train early, but the train is much greater than these companies. The personal computer is not a novelty or a toy. I will not play the games that we have seen played over the last 20 years. So a proposal for the community of doers: If Adobe can or will no longer enable your creative efforts (even though many similar minded folks working at Adobe would like to) you have to change the paradigm.

I am starting to use online photo and video editors instead of paying to download and continually update programs on my local drive. Sure there are limitations, but there are also benefits. Who is still paying for Microsoft Office when Google Drive is free?

[Xeon64]

I have a feeling real soon they are going to start charging us a monthly fee just to use the Operating system. All signs are point to this. If this happens I am moving 100% to Linux at home. Work will more than likely keep paying Microsoft. We will see with Windows 10. Sadly once this cloud scam takes off where users have to pay to use the OS and all their software we will start to see proprietary hardware that we can not install Linux on and no new hardware will be available to build a Linux systems. When this happens I am done. They will not get my money because I will be done with using a computer for anything other than basic Web tasks. They are so sickened with increasing profits that they can not realize they are going to loose a lot of people. Adobe, Apple, and Microsoft made Billion with out the cloud and I can not understand why they can not continue to do so.

[clayton cp50101]

Agreed. Yes it is necessarily moving that way. The 'cloud' hype is just another marketing spin for 'remote network' but keep it positive! Users will stay one step ahead. There are many people like us - a large homogenous market. We will always be able to build computers ourselves because the manufacturers will not stop making chips and motherboards so long as there is a significant market for these products. Chipmakers have already amortized the production of adequate processing power chips so unless the OS companies buy out all chipmakers, they will not be able to control hardware production. 

We all know that Microsoft and Intel have colluded for many years to maintain the required upgrade business model. It got old right? Yep that model is running out of steam so necessarily they have to move applications away from users so to maintain control. Netscape 3.0 would still be the best browser if they had not obsolesced it.

It's not about building the best car, it's about creating the highest profit margin. Once a business is large enough to control or collude to control a market (why do you think Golf is a popular sport), the focus is on margin not giving the customer more. That is the purview of the maverick.

Keep up the positive spin ; )

[maximilliangeorge]

Yes, we definitely need Linux support. I'm tired of being locked into these platforms.

[Guest]

There is so many ridiculousness in this thread. I work for one of the biggest media/ entertainment companies and spent a big heap of budget on software licenses, and all of this on Linux. And I'm certainly not the only one around here.

So stop telling me that this is niche, hobbyist, or Linux users were cheap. We have Nuke, Houdini, Maya, Davinci Resolve, ... all on Linux. There are very good reasons for using Linux over Mac and Windows.

[Xeon64]

Exactly. A Linux design workstation would be a work Horse that would out perform Windows and OS X. A lean and mean OS built for doing WORK! One could compile their Linux Distribution just for the Hardware that they have. No bloat.

[Guest]

Pretty sad with a lack of support for ubuntu and other linux distros. I'm considering moving back to windows (sic!).

http://zarobkiwlondynie.blogspot.co.uk

[basilio67]

.Personally I would not like to see Adobe diverting resources to work on a Linux version of Creative Cloud. Let me put it this way: if a designer or a design company is not satisfied with Windows, it moves to Mac. Certainly it would not move to Linux. If one moves on Linux, it's certain it can live without most of the Creative Cloud apps. More certain is that is a casual user of Adobe apps, not a professional that needs them to have it's work done. So why would Adobe spend resources to make a Creative Cloud for Linux? Most of the Linux users use Photoshop and Lightroom and they would probably submit to a Photoshop for Photography (for Linux) subscription and that would be all. The news is that Photoshop CC and Lightroom are now working on Linux through Play on Linux. I don't know if it's possible with Lightroom 5 CC, but in Photoshop CC 2014 one can now sign in with it's subcription user and password and it's possible even to download and install upgrades. So stop pestering Adobe with your Linux only demands. It's not vital to you, it does not affect your livelyhood or otherwise you would have  not made the move to Linux. Subcribe to Photoshop for Photography Windows program and use them with wine and Play on Linux. The other Creative Cloud apps are for the big boys, and the big boys would not starve to death while demanding a Linux version of Creative Cloud. I know would not be very popular, but hey: truth never is.

[cocoknightcom]

I disagree and think this is a bit biased. I use many CC apps (mostly AE, FL, PS, IL) daily and all day long at work and CC is the only reason why I'm stuck with a Mac. I'd much rather work on a linux power horse. Also, why wouldn't you want Adobe to put the tiny little effort required into a version for linux, sounds a bit selfish. Usually Mac and Linux versions of applications are launched simultaneously because you might as well do both, it's not a big deal. Your statements about PS CC and LI CC being available on Play on Linux shows proves how easy it would be for Adobe to release a Linux version.

I notice that ppl assume that it's only current linux users that want to have CC on linux and that since linux users are niche and most apps are free, there wouldn't be much to gain.

I think it's the other way around, at least for me it is: I think it's mostly professionals already using CC that care about being able to use it on Linux too, and that are stuck on Win or Mac in meanwhile.

If CC was available for Linux I'd just move to Linux and that's that. If that's not gonna happen then what's gonna happen is that ppl like me will eventually find a way around CC. So the way I see it, it would be a win-win situation if CC was available for Linux.

[mytaxsite]

cocoknightcom wrote:

If that's not gonna happen then what's gonna happen is that ppl like me will eventually find a way around CC.

People have tried it and failed so your best option is to get a Windows 7 or a 8 machine so that will qualify you for a free Windows 10 upgrade.  This has double advantage:

1) you get industry standard operating system;

2) You get to use your CC applications;

With CC you can do wonders and that is why people are staying with it.  I don't know how I will survive without a good windows system and Adobe Creative Cloud Applications!

[dainiswmichel]

i left windows because i just did not want to update to vista. there was an ad online, it said, "don't want to upgrade to vista, buy a mac, everything works."

and it did. it was wonderful. the computer actually worked. i bought a computer and did not need to spend 2-3 days configuring it.

but now -- the "macintosh experience" has waned. it ain't what it used to be. stuff is supposed to work. what just happened? premiere pro CC stopped working for no reason that i can see -- it was working last night -- i have something to finish -- and premiere pro is not working.

i feel like it is 1995 again, and everyone is upgrading to "windows 95." it is ridiculous. software is supposed to work. it is supposed to serve us.

i taught computer literacy from that perspective, i've been an IT manager and was able to breathe refreshing life into the systems i supported because of that perspective. because i make things work -- and i also expect things to work -- properly -- without burdening me or other users with information and procedures useless to us.

application users do not wish to have their time and attention consumed by installs, crashes, digging into preferences files, error messages, etc. etc. application users want software to work -- to serve them -- and to do so quickly, easily, effectively, and enjoyably.

the only reason i have not yet migrated from windows -- to macintosh -- to linux -- is because of adobe's CC. that is the absolute sole reason i am still "on a mac."

i really wish software worked better. i wish developers paid more heed to end users -- and hired people like me as end user advocates. i wish software companies did not force their customers to be their first line of software testing. it makes little sense to me how slowly end user software, in general, has progressed since the 90's.

so anyway, i wanted to finish something up quickly this morning, and premiere pro won't launch. i am going to get back to seeing if i can't figure something out. and -- unfortunately -- it will probably be some dumb workaround. i really don't like "finding just the right workaround," it is such a massive waste of time. from sitting and reinstalling DOS 800 times in the 90's to premiere pro just not launching in 2015 -- i am really honestly disappointed in the software industry as a whole.

releasing software that doesn't work -- or that you have to tweak and tweak and then you can just barely get it to work if you keep all other applications off and light incense and hum mantras near the machine -- only then -- will it: export your video or print your image or crunch your numbers -- or whatever it is you are seeking to do -- only if you jump through 50 hoops -- will the application do -- what it actually should do right out the box -- and then -- the application is rude to you by creating its own vocabulary and not explaining it to you.

so that is a bit of a rant -- but especially if linux provides greater stability -- especially if users can expect more stable & reliable computer use -- so that they don't have to sit and configure and tweak and reinstall and have stuff break on them and then be forced through completely irresponsible upgrade procedures (upgrades that break things), i mean, if it has a chance of improving our user experience -- please please: release CC for linux.

i would switch to linux in a heartbeat.

[Micha_adM]

Let's think about Valve and their SteamOS. It should be clear that in near future more and more kids will grow up with Linux instead of Windows or OSX. So, please don't be the last one to support the next generation with your products. More and more people are saying, that the missing Adobe-Support is the last instance to not switch to Linux at this time. I also think lots of companies would pay more for a Linuxversion of Creative Cloud, if they can save the money of a Windows-licence or the Mac-Hardware. So please invest in the future.

[dwarfplanet9]

<rant>

I agree, what a bunch of ridiculous statements about Linux and those who use it.  I use Mac, Linux, and Windows and I would be full time on Ubuntu if my required apps ran there.

My biggest issue right now is the time I've spent just trying to figure out if Adobe currently supports any Linux distro, and if not, does Adobe ever plan to do so.

Its pretty obvious from reading this group, that Adobe does not support their products on Ubuntu, or any other Linux distro.  But is anyone from Adobe reading this discussion? If so a clear statement from a qualified employee about Adobe's position on Linux would be greatly appreciated. If Adobe has made a business decision to not produce Linux versions of their software, then we could all save a lot of time because whether we want it or not, that would indicate that efforts to persuade Adobe to create a Linux version are simply a waste of time on our part.

I could easily make a compelling business argument for Adobe to port its apps to Linux, despite the volumes of misinformation above.  If there is an audience for such a proposal, then I will chip in to create the business case presentation.  In the mean time, trolls like @basilio67  will continue to post inflammatory and inaccurate statements about who uses Linux, why they use it, and what they are willing to pay for the Adobe CC suite.  Reader beware, even Wikipedia has more accurate and useful info about Linux than you will find here.

</rant>

[brianhoskins]

Another person here who would love to see Adobe products running on Linux as I am a full time Linux user.

I took the decision to switch over to Linux full time about 12 months ago, and I am happy with my decision as *most* of my needs are met.  So I have no plans to switch back.

The bottom line: no Adobe product availability for Linux, no purchase from me.

[dainiswmichel]

wow brian, i assume there are linux alternatives for: web development, graphic design, word processing, email -- even at a high level?

what does the commercial space look like for linux?

is everyone sitting around configuring and reconfiguring computers and using the command line?

for me, i had taken a break from tech for a while -- and have maintained my adobe CC subscription. well, i have had reason to use a few of the tools available: inDesign, Premiere Pro, Dreamweaver -- and i am having a major "face palm for humanity" experience regarding just how bad the user procedures are for these adobe products.

it absolutely amazes me.

[Robert Dinse]

     I use the Mate Desktop under Ubuntu and I find it both aesthetically more pleasing and more functional than either MacOS or Windows.  Anybody who doesn't think Linux has a good desktop is thinking about a Linux that existed 15 years ago.  I loaded it on a Mac Pro after getting frustrated with MacOS's inability to cut-n-paste between X and non-X applications and the lack of software for MacOS.  It is much faster than MacOS was, more stable, and easier to get WIndows apps to run under via wine than MacOS was.  It can read disks from just about any OS that ever existed.  If I want a dock like on MacOS, one exists.  I prefer the pull downs of Mate however.  I can access my computer remotely from anywhere with full graphics and sound thanks to X2Go, windows and Mac have no usable equivalent.

[александрк86790288]

Сейчас 2015 год. По прежнему перспективы появления продуктов Адоб для Линукс систем нет. Печально.
То, что получается использовать под Вайном - не полноценный Фотошоп (а следовательно и платить за него смысла нет). Гимп ни разу не замена Фотошопу.
Google translate (sorry):

Now in 2015. As before, the prospects for the emergence of products Adob for Linux systems there. It is sad.

What it is obtained by use Wine - not a full Photoshop (and therefore pay for it makes no sense). Gimp never replace Photoshop.

[jonadobe]

The answer is simple. It's an Apple thing, AKA, Microsoft Shares, AKA, Al Gore and You know who, Not Jobs invented the internet! They just want you to get a MAC. End of thread!

[kuntal_mz]

Windows an industry standard?? Wow I am quit amazed if you are talking about the big studios.Almost all big studios use linux for example Dreamworks , Rhythm and Hues , Primefocus are some of them. And for your question I can survive without both windows and cc....it makes my life some tough for sure but thats what the saying say "No pains, no gains" Inkscape is a great illustrator altenative and when combined with gimp and krita takes care of my graphics work....for post productions in my videos i use nuke and blender(with makehuman,sweet home 3d, Autodesk mudbox and sometime maya and renderman)....and arrange them with lightworks(priemiere pro alternative....thus there is not an involvement of any adobe products!

P.S- Well I am school going student and purely use these for non-commercial work, thus I dont have to pay anything for the softwares i use cause nuke has a free non commercial edition and lightworks also has a free version....Autodesk programs have a free student version and rest of the programs are opensource ones.

[davidh88868603]

I am working in Postproduction (mainly using Davinci Resolve, Premiere, AE, Blender and of course PS, ID and AI). I use OSX and Windows machines for years now. I do also a fair bit of Webdeveleopment and the only thing that keeps me on Windows and OSX is the Creative Suite.

For me there are two possible futures:

1. Adobe releases CC for Linux and I can switch there
2. I find alternatives that work for me on Linux and I abandon Adobe alltogether.

I don't like OSX, because of the way Apple treats it's (professional) customers. They break working standards all the time in order to keep you with them. A lot of the time you find yourself fixing problems, they created without a reason. Also for the performance-per-money for their hardware is lower than with any other plattform (speaking of market demand). i

I don't like Windows, because it is horrible to manage. You can do it (me doing it for years proofs it), but it is a hassle. Major Updates break working systems, fixes for simple problems can be a real pain and it lacks the modularity I want to have in a professional Desktop OS.

Linux Distributions on the other hand are modular, most of the time easy to fix (pasting lines into the terminal), have a logical and clean structure, run stable, are amazing for networks, won't break stuff with updates (because you can decide what to update) and they don't cost too much (I still would donate to devs). I am not sure about the Statistics on desktop usage: of course I use OSX and Windows more, because that is where my working software mainly runs at, but if CC would run on Linux I would never look back..

[Connor_Roy]

I'm on Ubuntu Linux based operating system. I was trying to download the product and it's giving me a please try again later error message. Is this because there is no way to download these products on my current OS?