I purchased CS2 several days ago and still have been unable to install it. My hardware (RAM, harddisk space, CPU speed, operating system) all exceed specifications and yet, CS2 won't install past the initial stages. I followed Adobe's troubleshooting guides, including installation from the desktop and Windows Simplified Mode, but absolutely no success. It's unclear where the fault lies (is it Microsoft Windows XP or Adobe CS2?), but I've never had installation problems with software before and it's hard to believe it would occur with such an expensive package from such a major company. Do check the Forums and reviews prior to purchasing this particular package to ensure you're comfortable with the risk. I hope I can get my money back.

Before purchasing this package, I read several of the reviews and was scared silly by the warnings. Fortunately, I didn't have any problems loading it and haven't experienced problems using any of the programs. I should add that I am on a Windows XP platform.

The Creative Suite has incorporated several changes in all of the programs, but they remain familiar enough to get through them if you've used the previous versions. The video tour is great even if all of the possibilities seem overwhelming at first. Photoshop is still the industry standard for image manipulation and the new version has some goodies that makes it indispensable. Coupled with new features for Illustrator and InDesign, the Creative Suite package is a great tool for those of us who work as graphic designers or photographers.

Finally, InDesign is very easy to use and offers more features than Quark. Although I love Quark, I wonder if this will be its doom? I hope not, but change is inevitable.

Maybe I’m just lucky, but I haven’t had any problems with this new design collection from Adobe, which represents good value and tight integration for the packages, with a heavy emphasis on the use of .pdf for reliable output compatibility for printing and viewing.

Performance issues may arise for those using computers at the budget end of the spectrum from the likes of Dell, etc. Not because they are poor machines, but because this very featured collection requires reasonably serious hardware to work smoothly in spite of its comparatively modest cost.

My experience suggests that a P4 in excess of 2.4 GHz, loaded with a Gig of good quality RAM, running Windows XP Pro SP2 with NTFS partitions, is likely to prove satisfactory.

Some commentators have considered changing to an Apple computer, but this possibility is unnecessary if a well specified PC is used in the first place.

I have spent 9 hours in 2 days on the phone with Dell to try to install this piece of s**t. Version Cue will not install nor will photo shop. No 800 number for support from Adobe. Paid for call and recieved many voice ads for products and was told if I need support call at 'top of the hour'. Dell says the problem is in the installer. Adobe Foroums have pointed to the same but no suggestion has worked. Guess I will work on amazon to try to return it for a full refund, it was shipped defective.

Windows XP users beware! You'll need lots of bug killer with this supposed "upgrade" - especially the GoLive module.

Speaking as a long time user of Adobe software (Photoshop since version 3.0) this is the most bloated and unstable iteration ever. The added goodies in Photoshop CS would be great, if my (quite adequate) Dell Workstation didn't freeze up every other minute.

Most annoying of all is a screen redraw problem most visible in GoLive CS; a problem that makes GoLive essentially unusable. If you plan to use GoLive - most especially if you have an NVidia graphics card - visit Adobe.com and look through the GoLive User Forum BEFORE you buy the CS version. LOTS of good reading there.

Adobe has (reluctantly) admitted the screen redraw problem to be a "bug" that they are "working" on... but jeez! Wouldn't that bug have been far better stomped on BEFORE Adobe CS was released onto loyal, trusting Adobe users??

To sum it up - BUYER BEWARE! Check out the Adobe Forums before you shell out your hard earned for Adobe CS, because that's where you'll get the real truth about real-world use. Download the trial version of CS if you can - maybe it will run for you... but if not, no money lost.

For now, I'm thinking it's back to my previous versions so I can at least get some work done. In fact, it's so bad - I'm beginning to consider getting a MAC! Aaaargh!!!!