PSPx3 Buying Advice

[JohnnyMushroom]

Hi, I'm looking for some advice. I've been using PSP x3 (trial version) and I mostly like it but it's far more than I need and I'm not happy with some of the feature. Namely, it takes too long to load up, it's buggy, and I have some concerns about privacy and system resources.

Remember the old PSP 6.0 (from over 10 years ago). I used that for many years and it does about 90% of what I want to do. Function wise, add the "clone" tool, and I think that's all I would need. I had my sights set on PSPx3 in part because it was (as far as I know) the only one that supports 64-bit, but I'm willing to go back to 32-bit to get what I want.

Can someone recommed a different version of PSP that would better suit my needs? Functions/features aren't really an issue. I want stability, very quick application startup and no bulkware. Nothing running in the background. Nothing phoning home. I only want it for image editing, not image viewing or opening my flash drive. I don't want those functions. I was going to get PSPx3 from Amazon, but they had some bad reviews concerning privacy and that made me start to rethink everything. Can someone elaborate on the privacy concerns regarding PSP. Can data collecting aspects of PSP be turned off? What about on older versions?

Current prices for PSPx3 are totally fair. I don't think I can make PSPx3 what I want it to be. Even if it gets totally stable and I can eliminate the privacy issues, it's so much more than I need which means it will probably always be slow to open. Maybe an older version of PSP? Other than losing 64-bit, I think older would be fine. Your advice is greatly appreciated.

Win 7
Intel Core 2 duo cpu, 6600 @ 2.40Ghz
6 GB mem
64-bit

[LeviFiction]

Technically PSP is still 32-bit, "supporting" 64-bit I'm not even sure what that's about.

The privacy issue is based on what people don't know. Protexis is a software that they use to make sure their software isn't being pirated and the licencing agreement words things in a way that had some worried. But you don't have anything to worry about concerned about as far as them taking personal information about you randomly. The protexis just makes sure that your copy is a legal copy.

X2 is far more stable and many like it compared to x3, of course Corel does claim that due to incompatibility with Windows 7 they can't guarantee that you won't have problems with it, and will probably associate every error with this potential incompatibility.

If you're honestly looking for less, or fewer options. Paint.NET is a decent free editor. Can't guarantee it has all of the things you want but it does have a few and does include a clone tool. On the same note "Sumo Paint" is another decent free editor except it's browser based so you need to be connected to the internet to use Sumo Paint. Interestingly enough it also has a clone tool.

At this point most editors have a lot of what PSP6 probably had so there are any number of options.

As for buying X3....even if the stability and speed improves they have already entered into a beta phase for the next version and even though the new one will include new tools again it might be better for you. Of course that's really hard to say one way or another. And who knows when the testing will be done, it could be a long while.

Also since you have Windows 7 professional you can download and run XP in a virtual machine on your system and install older software in there.

[JohnnyMushroom]

LeviFiction,

Wow thanks the advice. I downloaded and installed Paint.NET. It's a pretty sweet little program. Looks a lot like my old PSP 6.0 but with the Clone as you say. Browsing through the options it looks like it has everything I want. Great find. I'll try it out of a couple weeks then make a donation if I keep it. Thank you for your post!

Oh, I tried SUMO paint before. As you say it's browser based and I'm not interested in that.

I'm still open to other suggestions and I will check back on this thread, but Paint.NET is going to get serious consideration. I'll also keep an eye on future PSP products patches for same.

I still have some issues with DRM on PSP or any other kind of software, but thank you for the clarification.

[coneill]

Hi, I'm looking for some advice. I've been using PSP x3 (trial version) and I mostly like it but it's far more than I need and I'm not happy with some of the feature. Namely, it takes too long to load up, it's buggy, and I have some concerns about privacy and system resources.

Remember the old PSP 6.0 (from over 10 years ago). I used that for many years and it does about 90% of what I want to do. Function wise, add the "clone" tool, and I think that's all I would need. I had my sights set on PSPx3 in part because it was (as far as I know) the only one that supports 64-bit, but I'm willing to go back to 32-bit to get what I want.

I am not really sure what you are looking at but PSP6 definitely has a clone tool. It the tool icon right below the paint brush on the tool pallet toolbar the runs along the left side of the screen.