Why did they had to release a new version already???
I get this question a lot, along with “it wasn’t just that long ago I spent a fortune on this software”. So here is some insight on this issue…
Technology double its power every 18 months. Stop and think about it. The software HAS to keep up with the technology, specially new technology that didn’t exist before, like when the intel macs came out or Windows Vista. With the code that Photoshop CS2 had at that time these came out, it didn’t work as it should.
Then why not release an upgrade (like a .5 for example)?
Most of the time the code needs to be entirely rewritten, so an upgrade is not an option, and that’s when you get a new version.
Why not make the new version free, if you already spent a lot of money?
Well, the developers need paychecks every two weeks like you do. If you only paid once for the software then how would improvements to it be paid for? The new people purchasing it wouln’t be enough to keep the project going and it would eventually die.
For CS4 for example, if you own a previous qualifying version (any Macromedia 8 or CS software) you do get a discount, so basically you are just paying for the new hours spent on making it better.
I hope this answers some questions as to why a new version comes out every 18 months and why it can’t be free.
