Upgrade or not??

[Kuzano]

Just an FYI in the event that anyone is a student...CS3 is roughly $290.00 at most college bookstore/software centers. Not upgradable and license is for only one machine.

That's true also at the Community College where I teach Computer, eBay and Digital photography/elements classes.

At the bookstore here, you only need to register for a community ed class (two or three sessions-couple of hours each) to qualify for educational discounts. No restriction, full featured, and license for one computer. $290.

[SamReeves]

I'd make the jump to CS2 or CS3. The rules of CS2 were a little different. You can upgrade from any previous version of Photoshop with CS2. I think CS3 you will only be able to upgrade from the CS series.

There's also the issue of camera RAW, which PS7 does not have. I find CS2/3 to be a lot more helpful in that area.