[BuddingAD]

Hello. I just noticed an ad in our college paper that says I can get Adobe CS3 Premium for $299 or I can get the Master Collection for $499. I want to take advantage of the discount before I graduate. I'm just wondering which to get.

The Premium has all the programs I am used to, yet the Master Collection includes many more:
After Effects
Fireworks
Contribute
Premiere Pro
Encore
Soundbooth

All programs I have never used- honestly I don't even know much about them. I'm just wondering, should I go ahead and spend the extra $200 (should I be able to swing it) in the anticipation that I may need them in the future. Or should I just drop the 300 on what I know and use daily?

What would you do?

[Westbo]

Unless you have a dire need to learn and use these additional apps, save the $200 and go for the premium bundle.

[bluedog]

The extra apps are primarily targetted for video and audio editing of soundtracks for video. If you have a video camera and like using it to create videos using iMovie the extra apps would be a professional approach to editing and creating video content.

That said, fireworks is likely to be end-of-life'd as I see it (similar to how Freehand was axe'd after the Macromedia purchase.

As a student, I'd likely say pass on it and use the $200 for other things like printing or mailing your resume's out. If you have been in school and wish to work in print use your school's resources to help prep your portfolio. Especially if they have color printing facilities and other career related assistance.

[BuddingAD]

Thanks. Honestly, I just wasn't sure if I would be missing out on something later. Once I get back to a real job, I won't have time to teach myself to be a video expert. I'll leave that to the pros.