HARRY MACBETH  Doubtful that I'll bother with this dreadful company any more.

No wonder they are haemorrhaging customers.

With no upgrade paths for new customers, and astonishingly poor customer service, there are compelling reasons for Mac fans to cut this shiny, but ultimately rotten bait.

Fool me once, Adobe: shame on you.

Fool me twice: shame on ME....  
(Version 8.0)

ABELLE  Reduction of the window very convenient, most complete, beautiful and interesting version.  
(Version 8.0)

HMFWIC  After installing APE 8 on my Mac, I double-clicked on the app icon and got an error message. Did a restart, reopened it and got the same message. Had to call Customer Support who sent me to Tech Support. The error code listed was, I believe 150:30. Did what they said and it started up like it should.  
(Version 8.0)

SNAPPIR  couldn't resist to post my reply to all the ugly comments for PE.

Those who say that PE is "not friendly", have never used it, and never tried to learn a little. It's easy, super friendly and loaded with more features than any other photo editing program for MAC.

True, it's heavy and slow to open. Yes, 3 minutes is slow. But at that time you can do something else, check your email, or browse...

The moment it opens - normal speed and no problem at all.

Pixelmator is a smooth looking program, but lacks a lot of essential features. One of them Shadows/Highlights, which is for me one of the most essential features when I open a photo.And it's not even close to PE.

Those who couldn't install this version, rushed and probably did something wrong in one of the steps.

I would suggest, go to adobe website and try to download there.

And read and write down the instructions - important!!!  
(Version 8.0)

SNAPPIR  ILGAZ....

what are you talking about...???!!!

iPhoto is not an editing software, it only has a few editing features, 0.001% of PE.

Kodak...??? again, it is not for editing, no editing there, NOTHING!... printing only.

PE was and remains #1 best light photo editor.  
(Version 8.0)

SNAPPIR  plotzenhost said that PE6 is "extremely buggy"....WHAT???!!!

I never noticed no BUGS no shmugs.

for majority of people it works smoothly   
(Version 8.0)

SNAPPIR  couldn't resist to post my reply to all the ugly comments for PE.

Those who say that PE is "not friendly", have never used it, and never tried to learn a little. It's easy, super friendly and loaded with more features than any other photo editing program for MAC.

True, it's heavy and slow to open. Yes, 3 minutes is slow. But at that time you can do something else, check your email, or browse...

The moment it opens - normal speed and no problem at all.

Pixelmator is a smooth looking program, but lacks a lot of essential features. One of them Shadows/Highlights, which is for me one of the most essential features when I open a photo.And it's not even close to PE.

Those who couldn't install this version, rushed and probably did something wrong in one of the steps.

I would suggest, go to adobe website and try to download there.

And read and write down the instructions - important!!!  
(Version 8.0)

NOTAFOOL  I downloaded the Trial Version of PSE 8 and tried to install it. After never-ending installation failures and further attempts to install it, I trashed the whole application in disgust. Not at all impressed Adobe : - ((  
(Version 8.0)

PLOTZENHOTS  they should fix the extrem buggy PSE 6 first! ..so long pixelmator is

my favorite. I know its like PSE 2 but it´s cheaper than PSE and much more honestly ;-)  
(Version 8.0)

ILGAZ  So they added a single feature and abandoned all powerpc users and asking for $80. While it is not widely known for some reason, you don't have to abandon any powerPC user for "intel 64bit", you can even release full 64bit PPC/Intel application on 10.5 leopard.

IMHO time is coming for shareholders to take action against this kind of management.   
(Version 8.0)

FAIRMEADOW  Full version of PE8 £65, upgrade from PE6 £55 (+VAT). How does this encourage customer loyalty, or indeed how does it encourage existing users to upgrade?  
(Version 8.0)

IGREG  PE 4 DID NOT work well with iPhoto, contrary to so-called expert reviews and Adobe advertising, & I see no reason why PE 6 would be any better.

PE has always been bloated and not user-friendly.  
(Version 6.0)

ANANCON  I’ve tried Photoshop CS3 now and am very dissatisfied.

Photoshop gets bigger and bigger, and most innovations are the usual steps of image editing, just combined into what they call "big groundbreaking new features".

I don’t know any reason to buy every few month a new version of this 2D-image editing app, - what great improvements do it get for my money except for always having the newest version?

I have to buy a new mac with every photoshop version, that helps appleadobe, but what are my benefits?

It gets more bugs and is bloated and slower and slower with every version, and is far away now from the fast and simple task of 2D-image-editing/designing.

I’m a photographer and graphicdesigner and work in this business since 20 years now.

I’ve made high-professionell retouching on Macs with 200 Mhz, and now with 2x2000 Mhz, but overall it needs the same time to finish my work.

I really don’t see any benefits in my daily tasks with this new version and the last 2 versions.

Since the invention of layers in 1994 and the actions in 1996, what really big invention happened since then, what made my daily work easier?

Yes, the text-functions where overhauled in 1999 and the vector elements of the same year where really useful in some situations, but then? Yes, some gimmicks and many time-consuming kiddythings popped up here and there in the app, but for serious work, what was better?

For me photoshop was finshed with version 5.5, if you wanted vector-editing, version 7 was your one, but now, what happened the last years?

And if you’ve made all needed configurations, configured your workspace, the brushes, styles, curves, and the like, and everything is set up the way you want it, it’s individuall and "your photoshop" then, what happens?

Yes, a new photoshop version is on the market, - you can’t win this race.

That all is not about good or better or faster image-editing, it’s just about money.

I have to pay the updates for 6 machines, 6 mac-workstations. May wife was right, let’s make fine holidays instead, and that’s what we are doing, sorry Bruce Citizen, sorry Steve Jobs, I’m not your dairy cow anymore, it took me some time, but I think I’m to old to not understand your moneygrubbing tricks.

So, no new mac, no new adobe app the next three years, and believe me, my work will continue as usual...

Elements 6 will be my last purchase for a long while, and that only because I use Camera Raw and "of course" there will be no more Camera Raw-Updates for Elements version 4 soon.  
(Version 6.0)

BIGDAVE56  Windows version has a downloadable trial. Mac version does not. (Thanks, Adobe.) May be irrelevant for me, but I wanted to know if my iBook 1.2GHz would run it, as it meets every requirement EXCEPT video RAM (64mb; I have 32).

Guess I'll have to stick with my old PE3, which runs fine despite Adobe's warnings, or GIMP if I can ever get it to run for more than three edits without crashing, or Pixelmator. But I was hoping to get E6's 16-bit editing support which none of the above have. Guess I better start saving for a replacement for Ol' Faithful (sigh....)  
(Version 6.0)

DAVIDWB  I find it interesting that Adobe announced that Elements 6 is shipping early 3/24/08 and yet download pre-orders are still pending.  
(Version 6.0)

ULFHEDNAR  I'm considering upgrading from PE 3 to 4. My concern is Aperture. How well does this program play with Aperture?  
(Version 4.0)

DAVID BEAMAN  Photoshop Elements is extremely inexpensive for what it has. For you to buy the full blow CS2 it would be hundreds of dollars. However, you could have elements for only 80$ with almost all of the features. Elements is for beginners to semi pros. Elements, howeve, does not have Curves.  
(Version 4.0)

ZANGIEF  This is an absolute gem from Adobe. After buying it at a local store, I went home and instantly was able to use it. Just a few pages of help and I was already editing. I can't imagine the possibilities for what else this app can do!  
(Version 4.0)

WOLF H  If you are coming from MS Paint, you probably will find this software excellent.

However, if you ever worked with "the real" Photoshop, even if it was an old version (5.0 for me), you maybe will be disappointed. I miss essential features. Some of them are available, but they are so poorly implemented.

Example 1: It does have layers, but it does not support masks for these layers. That makes them in my eyes little useful.

Example 2: It supports a graphic tablet (Wacom) with all settings, but only for the brush tool, not for the eraser, even when in brush mode. Combined with the lack of masks this makes it impossible to use the graphic tablet to define transparencies.

Example 3: It does support 16 bit/channel. This is useful for color correcting scans etc. But it does not let you convert an existing 8 bit/channel to 16 bit/channel.

I could continue the list...  
(Version 4.0)

IGREG  Anyone know how to completely uninstall Photoshop Elements 4?

Their site was no help at all.   
(Version 4.0)

JOBBY  Trial version is available for Windows but not for Mac. Thanks, Adobe — very useful. Obviously you don't *want* our money...  
(Version 4.0)

ANONYMOUS  New product that doesn't work on new Intel Macs, why even bother releasing this!   
(Version 4.0)

OKEN  Excellent update — and in my case free, thanks to Wacom and Adobe bundles.

It is fast, stable (so far) and easy to use. It is not a childish/downgraded version of Photoshop but a 100% complete application. The new interface is awesome, like Indesign and Photoshop CS. Perfect to work in RGB.

Tips/Hints/Troubleshooting: By the way, I am using OS 10.3.7 (10.3 installed a year ago and updated, still rock solid). I don't have your problems, Photoshop Elements simply works as advertised. Try Onyx or Maintain to maintain your system, or maybe it is time for a fresh install.  
(Version 3.0)

ANONYMOUS  Batch processing (now called "Process Multiple Files" locks up after the first file. Program crashed after looking at the help page for Processing Multiple Files. I quit the program and restarted multiple times. Ran Tech Tool 4 to see if the problem was with my computer but found no problems. When it couldn't batch process there wasn't a reason to check out any of the other features, which sound great. Currently I only see an update for the windows version of PE 3. Until it all works I'll be sticking with PE 2.

Running 10.3.7 on a AL 15" PB 1.24 with 1GB Ram.  
(Version 3.0)

ANONYMOUS  I figured it out:

When trying to instal GIMP and was met a "you need the BSD Subsystem installed" Turns out I deselected this option in an effort to maintain a paired down system. A re-instal with with BSD let Photoshop right in.

How can Adobe telephone support not know this?!  
(Version 3.0)

ANONYMOUS  Virtually uninstallable on a freshly formatted X37 on both a PMG4 1.25/2 and PB 12/100  
(Version 3.0)

GOAT  1. Easy to use

2. A ton of filters and stuff you can add to it

3. Stable

4. Its reasonably priced

5. Fun to see what you can create  
(Version 3.0)

1EYE  Great software (for its class) at a good (usually discounted) price. $60 with discounts from Adobe and amazon.com

1eye(of Horus)

______ read on if you want ______

You just like to noodle around with output from a digital camera? Xmas at gran'ma's house 2004?

Then Graphic Converter rocks for $35 -- iPhoto seems underpowered. (GC is great software -- GC and PE3 make a complementary combo.)

Photoshop Elements really outshines GC when one steps beyond manipulating single image. PE can create art if you know how to use filters and layers well (and have an esthetic sense).

Downgrading a product because it doesn't meet your "needs" is nonsense. Do your homework first -- take a test drive. The lousy carpenters blame their tools.[Look into a mirror, point to image, you've found the problem, it looks just like you!]

Photoshop Elements I suspect is a "loss leader" for Adobe. They want you to "buy up" to their $600 "full" version. No relearning required to upgrade. Get hooked on PE and you may become an addict. It works for drug dealers, why not for Adobe?

1eye(in the Kingdom of the Blind)  
(Version 3.0)

ME  Fantastic program for everyday users which can be found < $75 on-line and major retailers of electronics. Much more options than iPhoto . . . which is understandable. IMHO, a MUST for anyone who has a sincere desire to dabble in digital photography. Super!  
(Version 3.0)

T  Good solid app. Have not had any problem to date. Startup time can be a bit slow. I got one free license with my printer, one free with my Wacom tablet, and one free with my scanner. Wouldn't spend $100 on it, but if you can get it for a bargain price, go for it. Version 3 has just come out. Funny enough, Mac version is cheaper on the Adobe site, $89.99 versus $99.99 for the PC, and $79.99 versus $89.99 for the download. Only thru February 2005, I believe. Upgrade for Mac is cheaper too, but upgrade path is still steep.  
(Version 2.0)

ANONYMOUS  Ridiculous bloatware. Expensive. iPhoto or Graphic Converter are far better and free / cheaper.  
(Version 2.0)

ANONYMOUS  I can't believe I spent $100 on this software. This program doesn't do anything I want it to do. Now I am stuck with it.  
(Version 2.0)

ANONYMOUS  Not so good... If you can't spend so much money on this little Photoshop try CinePaint. It is free, easy to use and damn good.  
(Version 2.0)

SACKM  I have a 12" powerbook running 10.2.8, and I've yet to be able to install Photoshop Elements. The install seems to freeze when the 2nd installer opens, then the laptop just sits there for hours with the little spinning rainbow. Any ideas about this?

Everyone says this a great program, but so far I've been unable to tell.  
(Version 2.0)

DRICCI  Great alternative for the armchair webdesigner who doesn't want to shell out big bucks for the full version of PS. It'll do all web formats, and contains a lot of the features of Photoshop (but some aren't there, like a line tool, which would be helpful.. but shift+painting makes a pretty straight line). Works for all of my needs. Just don't expect to do real design work for publishing on it (as there's no CMYK support).  
(Version 2.0)

ANONYMOUS  It's nice to finally see Elements on OS X. This program seems very much like most early OS X carbon apps did -- the installer is bizarre and launches at least 3 sub-installers at some point during the process. The app comes with several extra folders and things that leave it strewn about a folder. It would be much nicer to have a single app that you could drag plug-ins over to install them. Plug ins should probably go in Library/Application Support (which this app also populates with some files).

Start time is ponderously slow, but the functionality is there. This is a great 30 day unlimited functionality demo, so it's a great try out.  
(Version 2.0)