The Write Journey

A Semi-"Dark" Tip?

For anyone who wants to purchase software that's just way to expensive for you (as I've chronicled in my last two posts), here is a tip that might help you as it did me.

Many software packages have what's called an "Academic" version, which is a version purchased for either for a member of an educational institution, or by students of qualified academic institutions. The Academic versions are available at major discounts (often at as much as a 70% discount off the reatail price!). In my case, I purchased the Adobe Creative Suite Premium 1.1, which retails for $1,229, for only $359 from CCV Software. In my case, my sister happens to be taking more courses at a local college, so I purchased the software in her name. You do have to provide a school ID, but other than that, there wasn't any undue hassle involved. Licenses and academic requirements vary, so you should study those carefully before pursuing this route. Once you've purchased the software, you're free to register it under your own name and then do what you want with it (see note below). There are a few things I need to point out, however.

One, the only difference between the Academic version and the retail version is the licensing. You're not supposed to use the retail version to make money, and I don't think this would be an issue for most of us. I do NOT recommend you do this if you're buying the software specifically to run a full-fledged graphic studio (or whatever business applies in your particular software's case).

Two, there are places on the Internet (including vendors who sell through Amazon) that sell many expensive software packages for even less than the Academic pricing. I studied this option carefully, and I finally determined that almost always it involves pirated software, or otherwise "used" copies which you may not be able to register with the manufacturer. Also, there are websites claiming to sell OEM versions of software (as in copies usually bundled with computers which aren't intended for sale as stand alone products). Since Adobe Creative Suite doesn't have an OEM version, this means that any adverised deals as such are either outright frauds or pirated versions of the software. I don't advise going this route either, but of course that's ultimately up to you. But doing so could result in a ripoff, put your credit card at risk, as well as potentially winding you up in jail.

Finally, I've gone over Adobe's site thoroughly, and although Academic pricing is only available to qualified students (K12 and above), and is indeed intended for educational purposes only, I think it's fair to say that they aren't overly concerned with the average user or what he or she may do with their software. Oh, and DO NOT take anything I've said as a free license to rip off Adobe or any other company, or to falsify info in order to obtain expensive software. I only advise purchasing through a truly valid user ID, with the full cooperation and consent of the person whose ID you use (if you aren't a student yourself, of course). As I said in my earlier posts, I just don't feel that an average user who simply wishes to acquire the software for his own personal use should be prevented from pursuing their dreams due to exhorbitant pricing meant for true, commercial users.

As soon as I get my new computer system (no dark tips on pricing there I'm afraid), I'll be well on my way to making some of my own dreams come true. Hopefully this tip can help someone else also.

- The WheelMan

Restoration of Dreams

As I said in my last post, where there's a will, there's a way. This is especially true when you have friends willing to help you in whatever way they can. Thanks to some suggestions posted here by one friend, I found an affofdable (and yes, legitimate) way to get the entire Adobe Creative Suite.

Or should that be SWEET!? :)

Thanks, Dude. You rock!

- The WheelMan

The Frustrations of Dreaming

It's funny how one's perspective can change in nearly the blink of an eye. After being intently focused on my writing career for a few years now (and I still am, by the way), in the last week or so I've found myself yearning more and more to get back into my roots, so to speak--my artwork. Art was my first love since childhood, and something I also did a lot of early in my computer life, even before home printers and computers were capable of producing the high quality output they can today. I've got art done with markers and colored pencils, as well as drawings produced by computer programs written in BASIC. I've just always been fascinated by the process of picturing things in my mind and then seeing them come to life on the page.

So last week, while my family and I were on vacation in Helen, GA, I stopped into a Book Warehouse store and bought the Photoshop CS Bible with the express hopes of upgrading from Photoshop Elements to Photoshop CS very soon. Then I found out that CS retails for $649, and that the special upgrade price from Photoshop Elements costs $499. Hence the frustrations.

I'm already hoping to buy a new desktop soon, and possibly a new notebook (hopefully an Apple PoweBook) sometime afterward. But add to that the cost of this software, which is as much as a decent computer in itself, and it all just seems so damn impossible! How is one supposed to pursue dreams and attempt to better themselves when you live in a world that places such an exorbitant monetary value on the very things you need? And don't even think about getting the Adobe Creative Suites package, which contains all of Adobe's top products, because it's over ELEVEN HUNDRED DOLLARS!!! When things are priced so high that the average joe (or jane) can't afford to purchase wonderful products such as these, it's no wonder that software piracy is so widespread around the world. Myself, I want legit copies of the software, and have no desire to cheat anyone of their well deserved royalties. And yet, something's just not right when only those who are already fairly privileged financially can easily go out and acquire the very things that could make such a huge difference and improvement in the lives of the not-so-wealthy people like myself, who merely want an equal shot at pursuing their dreams.

They say that "where there's a will, there's a way," and I firmly believe that. Still, it doesn't make the harsh realities of the steep climb my will faces less troublesome. But like every other life-challenge I've faced, I'll overcome this one too. And maybe, just maybe, one day I'll be in a position to make things easier for others like myself, who's only offense is daring to have such lofty dreams.

- The WheelMan

"The Last Living Thing"

My story, The Last Living Thing is now up in the September 2004 issue of AlienSkin Magazine.

And if you browse over to the "Alien Interrogation" area, I was also asked to contribute a response to their question of the month. Be sure to check it out!

- The WheelMan