Apple VARs Breathe Sigh Of Relief As Adobe Ships CS3

Despite intense interest from users, Adobe zealously guarded details about its CS3 launch, a situation that prompted grumbling from some solution providers who wished they had more preparation for the Big Bang launch.

"I haven't heard a peep from Adobe," Tech Superpowers's Oh said. Unlike Microsoft with its Vista launch, Adobe hasn't made a "channel pack" available for CS3 nor provided other materials in advance, he added.

"I would expect them to be a little more channel-focused," Oh said. "They do need to come to realize that we're the ones who will be pushing it into the marketplace."

Adobe offered public betas for some CS3 applications, and Tekserve's Thomas said they helped his company train on the new software. Unlike Oh, he was comfortable with the amount of information that Adobe offered in advance, including details on the blizzard of upgrade pricing plans.

Since CS3 includes products from companies Adobe has acquired, including Macromedia and video software maker Serious Magic, upgrade paths are "a little on the chaotic side," Thomas said, adding that the confusion has prompted customers to call TekServe for help in figuring out their needs and upgrade rights.

Most CS3 applications are universal binaries that will run on PowerPC- and Intel-based Macs, as well as support Windows Vista and XP. But a few of the newest applications, including the still-under-development Soundbooth audio production software, will run only on Intel Macs.

"They're doing a pretty good job of helping us sell new hardware. They're pushing the new platform even more than Apple," Thomas quipped.

*Note: This story was updated Tuesday afternoon with more VAR comment.