The Last Straw

[Djard007]

I agree that PSP X8 is not stable. But the lock-ups and crashes occur for me only when I work with the native *.pspimage format. But manually saving my work after every major edit, reduces the time lost.

Since working with lossless PNG, I have not had a crash. The minor bugs are numerous; but for the money, PSP is still a great program. I tried PS CS6 and did found it more powerful, but the extra steps to perform even basic tasks and its non-user-friendly GUI is almost as much of a turn-off as is the rental. I'm going to stick with PSP and hope Corel will fix the more serious flaws, like print size accuracy.

[pdxrjt]

Because a photo program (LR) is by far the most popular in the world doesn't mean it is not the best. In fact, most of the good photographers I know think it is the best (and most of the mediocre ones like me as well.) I probably only know a couple of hundred serious photographers personally, so not a scientific poll (but my experience.) Photographers who are in my photo clubs and my photographer friends who do a lot of post processing use LR by itself for 99% of their editing and cataloging chores (there are always a few outliers who prefer something else.) Whether that is your experience or not is (duh) pretty unimportant to me in my decisions about which programs I will use or in forming my opinion. Of course, a user has the option to purchase LR or rent it. Good to have choices. As to PS, as stated, it will do things no other photo editing programs will do and there are very few things other programs will do that it will not. Now, if you wish to drive one mile to the shopping center and to you and it is important to you to drive there at 250 mph, you get a Formula 1. If not, you may consider something else. As I said, whether the extra capacity in Photoshop is useful to you depends on what you want to do with it (unless of course you speak for everyone else on the planet.) Many people today rent cars, computers, houses and many of them use their cars, computers and houses every single day. As I said, I prefer a slightly different combination of editing programs (to LR and PS) myself, but I can see their value and why so very many people consider them the best. If you don't, okay. If, after your due consideration, you consider LR, PS or a combination unsuitable for you, too expensive etc, my suggestion, which I think you should ignore is: don't use them.

[brucet]

pdxrjt you simply don't get it. 'Popular' doesn't = 'best'. Do yourself a favor and take the time to compare Lightroom to a program such as Photoline. No comparison. 'Best' is only relevant to the user. 'Best' for their purpose.
Toyota is the most popular car but does that make it the 'best'?

regards

[JoeB]

I don't think this discussion is actually going to get anywhere, because the first sentence in the last posts of each of you is correct. Yes, Popular doesn't necessarily = best (@brucet). And yes, Popular doesn't necessarily = not the best (@pdxrjt). Plus, there's the question of the definition of "best". For the average person, "best" generally means what program, appliance, tool, motor vehicle, etc., achieves the goals that person wishes to achieve, and usually includes other mitigating factors such as "given the price point," and/or "ease of use", etc. Others might more narrowly define "best" to mean "has the most bells and whistles" and include factors such as "regardless of price point" and/or "regardless of learning curve", etc. And when it comes to software (but often other items also), there are usually also some bells and/or whistles that one program has that another doesn't, so comparing bells and whistles is definitely a matter of personal need based on the users need for those items for that individuals general workflow. Those factors generally determine what's "best" for an individual, as far as most people are concerned. JMHO, of course.

[pdxrjt]

It is likely that this conversation will go no where if people don't read or understand the responses. Best (as opposed to LR being the most popular) referred to the comment that best doesn't mean most popular. As far as I can tell, the factoid I mentioned that LR was "most popular" by far via polls is public record. That it was a useful, fairly easy, full featured program was based on my observation, opinion and experience. While it meets the criteria of "best" for myself and others, I did not state categorically it was best. I agreed that popular doesn't necessarily equal best, but simply pointed out that it doesn't mean that because a program (or car) has an overwhelming market share doesn't make it "not best." In fact, I believe a critical thinker would wonder why a program (car, TV, phone plan etc.) had such a commanding chunk of the market and I personally find the argument that it is "best" for many people more compelling than the argument that people are sheep. I enjoy lots of software and everything I have found so far has pluses and minuses, but Photoline (to me) is not impressive. If it is "best" to some people, so be it, that's fine..... doesn't change my mind but fine. The comment was that someone couldn't understand why someone would rent LR/PS...... my own feeling is that my original answer was a reasonable explanation of why LR is so popular (and it jives with my my experience and the experience of many others) and also what makes the LR/PS rental so appealing. If the rational doesn't appeal to you, or you think there is a better explanation, fine: okay by me. I haven't heard anything better so far, to explain why some programs have a such a minuscule market share or why LS/PS has such a large market share, but but if you prefer a different reason (people are sheep, only people who use Photoline or something are smart enough to see the power of this program, etc.) fine. Also interesting how anyone can categorically state that someone else "just doesn't get it."

[photodrawken]

(...)
only people who use Photoline or something are smart enough to see the power of this program
(...)

Heeeyyy, now you're talkin'!