CS6 is it really good to keep use it

[_MGadAllah_]

[Moderator moved from The Lounge to Download & Install.]

I've Adobe Master Collection CS6 plus Acrobat XI Pro.

Did not buy any upgrade or subscription since the subscription policy Adobe applied (really did not like it).

So my question is, are these tools with that version still good tools that can achieve good results if I learn in more detail?

The reason for my question is that I consider myself a normal average user but not a Ninja one :lol:

So I thought to ask before investing the time in learning it in more detail.

[Abambo]

Since CS6, the programs have evolved a lot. Kind of driving an old car. It drives, you do not have all the fancy whistles and bells that make driving a better experience.

As long as you do not interact with other users and exchange files and collaborate in projects, you are fine.

I, at the time, determined, that the Creative Cloud subscription was as expensive as doing upgrades for each second major version. And for a new license, we even got rid of the initial acquisition. So, the subscription model is highly advantageous to professionals. And Adobe tools are intended to be used by professionals or high-end hobbyists.

Using CS6 could, however, get you into compatibility troubles when you upgrade your OS or may have trouble installing the software, when you change the computer. 

[Midevil Chaos]

I know a lot of people have said to upgrade, but honestly? Don't. Except for Acrobat of course (I suggest you buy a 3rd party one though - I find the modern Acrobat utter garbage AND it's VERY expensive for what it does).

The idea that someone thinks it's a good idea, for a single user to pay almost 100$ per month(?!) for a suite? Lord have mercy. Now, for companies who can easily afford this, it's not a big deal for them. But when it comes to normal users like you and me, I think it's a terrible idea to pay money to Adobe. Unless you're making A LOT of money. Sure paying that amount in and of itself isn't a huge amount, but when you consider internet, cellphones, hydro/electricity/propane, food AND rent? That ~100$ is definitely looking like a lot of money at that point. Especially with everything increasing over the span of the last 5 years, screw it. Screw it when people tell you to buy something you may not be able to afford due to the inflation over the past 5 years. And it's NOT just that, as people often have subs to different things like Disney+, Netflix and/or Amazon Prime (among A LOT of other things). Again, when you add that all up, that ~100$ is a lot of money.

In terms of usability, the clever ones are able to use workarounds to achieve the same goals. I haven't used Adobe in a few years, as my last job was in IT, but not where I needed to use the suite. But when I did use it, I couldn't understand why a non-power user could have an issue with the CS6 suite. Of course, the newer version offers quality of life upgrades for sure in terms of visuals etc. If this is something you're ok with not having? Then you're good.

[kglad]

$60/mo != ~$100/mo

[Midevil Chaos]

We clearly don't live in the same country. Where I'm at, after taxes, it's around 100$. Even if it were as "low" as what you are paying, it's still too much money.

[Midevil Chaos]

Actually, I just looked on a month to month basis instead of a 12 month sub, and after taxes, that's ~135$. I don't know about you, but that is expensive as all hell.

[kglad]

i agree, for a recreational tool it's expensive.  but adobe caters to professionals although adobe prices photoshop and lightroom for recreational use.

[Midevil Chaos]

I was a web integrator, and I've always found the CS6 to be more than sufficient. Unless you're saying I wasn't a professional, I believe the current atmosphere to be very hostile for single users.

[kglad]

i didn't state anything about you.

[Midevil Chaos]

You misread my post.

[kglad]

sorry.

[Nancy OShea]

@Midevil Chaos.

It's all relative.  Is the squeeze worth the juice?

It's the same with subscription services.  Either you derive sufficient benefit to justify having them or you don't. That's a judgement call only you can make.

As a professional, I need the tools of my trade so I can put a roof over my head & pay my bills.  But if you don't need professional tools, then don't use them. Consider low-cost alternatives instead. 

A Google search will reveal many graphics apps ranging from free to advanced software like AutoCAD & Autodesk which cost several thousand dollars per year.

Good luck!

[Midevil Chaos]

LOL. Saying something is 1 grand versus 100$ as being huge, it obviously is. That said, it's still something most people can't realistically afford. I can't agree with you here at all, since it's ONLY relative if someone making say 150K a year buys it vs someone making half. But as far as I am aware, designers do NOT make 150K a year, they make significantly less.

The idea that you genuinely believe that less affluent professionals (in comparison to you) should use inadequate applications is proposterous. The idea that people should be seen as less valuable perplexes me. Instead of trying to tell me that people should tuck their tails between their legs and run towards a much less adequate product is something I view as insulting.

Instead of supporting a big corporation, perhaps speaking up for the small guy would be a more adequate plan of action. Adobe could make a profit even if they sold their product for around 35$ before taxes. Look, they make the big bucks with corporations, hands down. A single user? Hell no. Single users are peanuts to them. Them asking individual users to pay around ~100$ after taxes is completely ludicrous and pure corporate greed! All I can say is that they're very fortunate right now that Microsoft isn't in the game, considering they already have a productivity suite. They'd surely increase their share of the market if they produced software similar to Adobe's suite, at a fraction of the cost for their individual user base. And I can't wait for that day for the small guys here.

[Nancy OShea]

It's depends where you live & what you do.  Where I live in California, the average cost of living is much higher than it is in other places.  A family of four needs more than $235K / year to avoid living paycheck to paycheck. Your mileage may vary.

I also wear many different hats.  As a web developer, media content creator and print & digital graphics designer with 3 businesses, hundreds or thousands of dollars for equipment & tools is a necessary business expense. But fortunately most of it is tax deductible.  😁

Adobe's not lowering prices beyond what's currently published on their website.  Sorry.

https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/plans.html

However Adobe offers generous discounts to qualified Students & Teachers. 

https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/plans.html#student-teacher-eligibility

Adobe also partners with TechSoup to offer discounts to tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofits, charities & libraries.

https://www.techsoup.org/adobe

Hope that helps.

[John T Smith]

CS6 will work with Windows... something you MAY need to do is...

Two ideas that MAY work to install and/or run old programs in Windows 10 or Windows 11
-RIGHT click the program icon or EXE and select a compatibility mode in the pop up option window
-and/or select Run as Administrator to assign FULL Windows permissions
-also https://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/global/create-local-administrator-account-windows.html

ALSO

As soon as you install any part of the Cloud, even a trial, it replaces your program management system
-if you plan to keep using a serial number program you should NOT install a Cloud program, not even a trial
-Read Cloud takes over https://community.adobe.com/t5/Get-Started/Get-off-the-cloud/td-p/8075485 for some ideas

[Peru Bob]

So I thought to ask before investing the time in learning it in more detail.

By @_MGadAllah_

Many of the things that you learn to do in CS6 can make it easier to learn to do them in newer versions, especially basic stuff, so it would probably not be a waste of time.

[Abambo]

That's correct. A lot can be done easier nowadays, with the latest software.

[Nancy OShea]

Legacy CS6 is 10 years past its sell-by date, no longer sold or supported.  It is what it is and falls way short of what modern software can do.

Acrobat XI is not secure. You really should replace it for security reasons. 

FREE Acrobat Reader -- view, comment, print & sign PDF.
https://acrobat.adobe.com/acrobat/pdf-reader.html

Paid Acrobat Pro or Standard -- the complete solution for creating and saving PDF.
https://www.adobe.com/acrobat.html

[kglad]

they are still good tools.  but whether it's worth using and learning depends on exactly what you're going to use it for. 

as an example, flash cs6 is worthless for online apps. photoshop cs6 still works great for editing photos.

[Nancy OShea]

If you're seeking a job as a graphic designer, obsolete tools won't help you much.  You'll still need to learn how to use modern tools & methods.

[kglad]

it's unlikely any professional dependent on adobe apps would post this.

[Nancy OShea]

Could be a student, or pursuing a 2nd career or side-hustle. 

OP Wrote: "So I thought to ask before investing the time in learning it..."

Time is a precious thing to waste on learning outdated software.

[kglad]

i'm not familiar with all the apps but i would think one of the most useless things to learn would be actionscript 3, but even that wouldn't be a waste.

[Nancy OShea]

Master Collection: (struckout titles are deprecated)

Premiere Pro CS6, After Effects CS6, SpeedGrade CS6, Prelude CS6, Photoshop CS6, Audition CS6, InDesign CS6, Illustrator CS6, Flash Professional CS6 & Flash Builder 4.6 Premium, Fireworks CS6, Dreamweaver CS6, Encore CS6, Bridge CS6, Media Encoder CS6 and  Acrobat X Pro.

Also, without access to the CS6 updates (bug fixes), there's a high probability of failure 🤕. 

I don't know where anyone can download those legacy updates now that Adobe took them down.

[kglad]

deprecated = useage is discouraged.

that's the not the same as saying the world will end.