Author Topic: CS2 is now free to download (Read 3276 times)

Amir · « **on:** January 08, 2013, 09:47:30 AM »

Happy New Year Filmwasters! Adobe has killed the license servers for CS2, so you can now download CS2 free.

http://www.adobe.com/downloads/cs2_downloads/index.html

This-is-damion · « **Reply #1 on:** January 08, 2013, 10:07:44 AM »

Nice!
Sent from my RM-821_eu_euro1_342 using Board Express

jojonas~ · « **Reply #2 on:** January 08, 2013, 12:03:57 PM »

thanks for the heads up!

Alan · « **Reply #3 on:** January 08, 2013, 12:30:06 PM »

Brilliant -

I am using PS CS4 at the mo with 20 days left before registration.

downloaded PS CS2 onto my work win7 machine and works great - plenty good!

Thanks Amir

Sandeha Lynch · « **Reply #4 on:** January 08, 2013, 04:17:42 PM »

This may be an internet delirium/spoof.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/adriankingsleyhughes/2013/01/07/download-adobe-cs2-applications-for-free/

Pity, though.

Francois · « **Reply #5 on:** January 08, 2013, 07:02:23 PM »

I actually saw this yesterday and thought it wouldn't be worth mentioning.
This was an error by one of their webmins who removed all protection from the file.
As soon as they saw the flood come in, they closed the gates.

The Offer lasted probably a couple of hours.
It was originally intended for people who already own CS2 and have problems registering it on fresh installs.

Alan · « **Reply #6 on:** January 08, 2013, 07:32:31 PM »

... but its still there to be downloaded whether one has cs2 or not ?

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Francois · « **Reply #7 on:** January 08, 2013, 09:20:21 PM »

Maybe they changed their mind?

Mab · « **Reply #8 on:** January 09, 2013, 07:57:27 AM »

The fact is a very large part of Photoshop users never buy a license for their software package. They also don't have access to version upgrades which means they don't generate any money for Adobe.

There's also a large part of Adobe's client base who still use antiquated Photoshop versions and refuse to upgrade because they foolishly think they don't need anything better (count me in!) or their software version is too old for an upgrade path. No cash flow for Adobe from these fellows either.

So, you are a marketing manager of Adobe and you face this situation; a big chunk of good customer base who happily use your software but don't generate any cash to your company. What would you do?

Well, you have a plan. Just what if the company would let an older software version out for free. This version should be so old no professional or paying customer would use it anymore (so they wouldn't mind) but it could in theory open up an upgrade possibility to a legal and paid for version of the software. Think of a special sales campaign for a price those customers couldn't resist. Let's say you could chip away 10% of those who use downloaded software versions and add them to the cash generating part of your customers. That would be a huge jump in sales. At the same time you could give a friendly kick in the ass to those who still use really old software versions; wake up you old timers and upgrade!

This is the point when blue smoke starts to come out of the company's main computer and it blows up because it was forced to consider an impossibility. You just can't do things like that!

Francois · « **Reply #9 on:** January 09, 2013, 02:46:41 PM »

Don't you just love it when the mythical blue smoke starts coming out of electronic devices?
Last time I saw that was when my old CRT caught fire all by itself!

Alan · « **Reply #10 on:** January 09, 2013, 02:59:13 PM »

im glad to say I have never experienced the Blue Smoke syndrome >

here is a link from cnet [not related to blue smoke]

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-57562515-263/adobe-releases-creative-suite-2-for-free/

Terry · « **Reply #11 on:** January 16, 2013, 08:29:31 PM »

So, coincidentally, I bought a new-old-stock copy of CS2 on the 'bay. I decided to install it yesterday and got the "cannot activate this" prompt when I attempted to activate. Does this mean that when the 30-day trial period runs out, it will stop dead? Or do I simply re-install it? Or is there another work-around?

Nigel · « **Reply #12 on:** January 16, 2013, 08:40:59 PM »

Quote

So, coincidentally, I bought a new-old-stock copy of CS2 on the 'bay. I decided to install it yesterday and got the "cannot activate this" prompt when I attempted to activate. Does this mean that when the 30-day trial period runs out, it will stop dead? Or do I simply re-install it? Or is there another work-around?

Hi Terry - wonder whether your ebay seller is downloading free copies and selling them online! Which as we say is not really cricket!

If I were you I'd return it and get your money back, then download the free copy from Adobe. I already have CS3 at home back I downloaded Photoshop and Acrobat Professional on to my work laptops - works like a dream.

Terry · « **Reply #13 on:** January 16, 2013, 08:59:47 PM »

Thaks Nigel. I think it's legit--in the box, in the shrink-wrap with the manual and everything. I'm pretty certain he didn't download it (if he did it's a fantastic counterfeit!). I'm happy to run it; just wondering if I HAVE to activate it to use it beyond the 30 days.

Nigel · « **Reply #14 on:** January 16, 2013, 09:17:47 PM »

Quote

Thaks Nigel. I think it's legit--in the box, in the shrink-wrap with the manual and everything. I'm pretty certain he didn't download it (if he did it's a fantastic counterfeit!). I'm happy to run it; just wondering if I HAVE to activate it to use it beyond the 30 days.

I've been unfair to your seller, maybe I have a suspicious mind - i hope not!

I think you'll still need to activate it. The free download copies still ask for the activation codes, which are listed on the web site.

Francois · « **Reply #15 on:** January 16, 2013, 11:08:24 PM »

Actually, the links Adobe put up are because the CS2 activation servers have been put permanently offline.
Only the downloaded versions will activate from now on.

Terry · « **Reply #16 on:** January 16, 2013, 11:34:10 PM »

Thanks for the help--I'll forge ahead...

original_ann · « **Reply #17 on:** January 17, 2013, 01:47:35 AM »

I heard about this a couple of weeks ago from one of my friends. Adobe closed the link but there was a google-something that provided the links. I downloaded Adobe Premiere Pro 2 which is an upgrade from the version I was running! Fabulous!

jojonas~ · « **Reply #18 on:** January 17, 2013, 01:00:58 PM »

Quote from: Francois on January 16, 2013, 11:08:24 PM

Actually, the links Adobe put up are because the CS2 activation servers have been put permanently offline.
Only the downloaded versions will activate from now on.

so does that mean that if I download something now and use it with the code provided, it will not work?

I installed photoshop cs2 yesterday from an earlier download and it was ok. didn't register it online though.

Francois · « **Reply #19 on:** January 17, 2013, 03:05:09 PM »

Don't worry, it will still work.

jojonas~ · « **Reply #20 on:** January 17, 2013, 04:12:00 PM »

cool

Francois · « **Reply #21 on:** January 17, 2013, 10:08:03 PM »

The thing is that Adobe uses a two step activation.
First comes the serial number. That is sent to the registration server along with a computer fingerprint. The server crunches the numbers and sends back a validation code.

At least, that's how it used to work for CS2. But now, you just enter the serial number and use the validation code provided. They disabled the internet validation and fingerprinting part of the installer.