InDesign Poll Results: Which Version of InDesign are You Using?
Always a hot-button topic, last month we asked what version of InDesign everyone was using. It appears that about a third of people who answered haven’t wanted—or been able or allowed—to upgrade to the latest and greatest. Even I don’t upgrade right away to the newest release. I’m of the “let them iron out the wrinkles first” mindset. That being said, once you’re into Creative Cloud territory, it doesn’t make much sense to not update…at least in my workflow. Your mileage may vary. And vary it did for everyone that answered the poll.
The majority of respondents (65%) are using CC2018. Though with minor updates rolling out quietly, we might not all be on the exact same version of 2018. The other three choices we offered were playing leap-frog during the poll’s run and they ended up being fairly evenly-distributed. InDesign CS6 took a slight edge with about 15%. Since that version was the last pre-Cloud offering, that makes perfect sense. Then lumped all together is every version from the first cloud version (CC) through CC2017, with about 11% of the overall usage. In last place with almost one-tenth of the results is CS5.5 or earlier. It’s not v. 5.5 that piques my interest so much as the “or earlier” part.
Looking forward, this month’s poll wants to find out how often you are using free fonts. Don’t get me wrong, free is my favorite price, but I also believe in the axiom, “You get what you pay for.” Still, that’s not to say that I haven’t partaken of some of the reputable foundries’ offers of free fonts and gotten a viable product in return. So, how about you? Free fonts…yes or no? It depends? Let us know!
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Very rarely use free fonts. I have fonts that I have bought from Linotype and also now the Monotype subscription which really means it’s silly to use free fonts now.
I’m not afraid of using the occasional free font. There are some wonderful informal scripts and headline fonts that are available, but I agree that the majority are a little too undeveloped for my tastes. But there are always a few “diamonds in the rough”.
My work is mostly for a not-for-profit, so I use the fonts that come with the software, those that are donated by graphic designers who do some pro-bono work for us, but if I need something unusual or fun for some projects I use free fonts.
As someone who retired 5 years ago and am now very involved in “publishing” for a number of village clubs and societies I cannot justify in subscribing on a monthly/annual basis for any cloud-based software. I am really very concerned that my skills and knowledge will become more and more unused as the business models for many companies head this way. If only there were ways willing and experienced older contributors to society could be given student-like concessional rates to support local clubs, societies and other deserving causes it would be most appreciated by so many.
I was given a (legal) copy of CS6 before my retirement and with occasional free fonts and any other freebies I can continue contributing locally. That is until Adobe et al manage to stop its functionality.
Please consider not every user has unlimited funding behind them and that out in the world there is a society that is made up of voluntary contributors.
Amen to that. I retired nine years ago. I was using CS4 at the time and still do. Like John, I do newsletters, pamphlets, and miscellaneous desk-top publishing projects for my church, homeowner’s association, and the local orchestra–nearly all using InDesign. These publications include photographs that I process in Photoshop. All the groups I volunteer for constantly tell me that the results are wonderful–big surprise!–and it’s all due to out-of-date Adobe products. I have never made ANY money for the work I do and that’s fine with me. I am 81 years old.
What’s not fine with me is the fact that there is no way that I can afford committing to a monthly/annual fee to use CC products and the prices I see for CS6 are obscene. Given that I used and upgraded Aldus Pagemaker before it transited to Adobe and all CS versions up to CS4 I would hope Adobe would give some consideration to people like John and me. Basically, all I want is CS6 InDesign and Photoshop capability to continue my volunteer work. It could be giving student-like pricing for retired folks like John suggested. Call it “CS Emeritus” or something or perhaps offer it as a much lower-cost upgrade for our earlier versions.
Perhaps, one day, Adobe might tumble to the fact that 9% of InDesign users are using ancient software, and if they are like me, there is zero chance Adobe will make a buck off of us at the present price point for CS6, etc. I’m not asking for free software–only fairly priced software and consideration for our DECADES of loyalty to Adobe to the tune of many thousands of dollars before we retired.
Thank you, Ron, well said, my sentiments exactly! I am 63, started with Aldus PageMaker version 2 or 3, I think, and upgraded as needed until CS4—I actually had to buy a new laptop for CS4. Now retired from my part-time and freelance work, I also do flyers and programs for local volunteer groups, and absolutely cannot afford and resent the need to subscribe to a service for what is basically a labor of love. I also can’t afford/don‘t want to subscribe to a font service that offers me wonders if I can pay for them (which I generally can’t, so it is simply tantalizing me), and which may not reliably offer those fonts (only skimmed terms, so unsure on that point). In any case, I do get MyFonts e-mails and from time to time will fall for good sale price on a particularly interesting font. As long as I can keep a MacBookPro alive with System 10.8.5 and can generate PDFs, I guess I am good, though not being able to work on my current MacBookPro with 10.12 (upgraded for security reasons, mainly, before they changed all the connectors), I will continue on in my turn-of-the-century style.
I agree with Ron. I CAN afford the monthly fee but refuse to buy into their rental model, and hope it doesn’t spread to every application out there. I don’t rent my house or my car because each has a final payment rather than the eternal plan of Adobe. I urge defiance and keep your old and extremely useful software. I am firmly residing in CS 6 without any monthly fee. Adobe is okay with 25% of us not buying upgrades, I’m okay with keeping my money.
Lou
Thanks, Lou! I had forgotten that later versions (I have CS4) were for some time available as stand-alone, nonsubscription software—by the time I looked into an upgrade, it was subscription-only. The only drawback is that I have to use it on a computer with an older operating system (10.8.5), not my current laptop that travels all over with me.
Also, like John and Ron above, I too use a legacy version of Indesign CS4 inherited from my professional publishing days that started with Pagemaker3 back in the 1980s. There is no way I could afford the vanity of upgrading to CC versions to do freebies for volunteer organizations but so far have found the older platforms suit my working style just fine. It would be nice to access some of the newer functions but they are not really necessary, the old ones still work. The question is for how long? So far most of my work is print oriented so web design is not a big part of my efforts but that could change if Adobe seriously tries to block us old-timers. I like the idea of a low-cost emeritus classification for upgrading but recognize the difficulty of policing such a policy.
I am not sure that Adobe can actually block me—my program lives on my computer and I export files to print at home or send to someone for printing. My computer is not always on line. Yes, it means I don’t get all the newest features, but I am fine working with what I have.
Thanks, Ray. I’ve thought about the qualifications for an emeritus status and I think if a person could provide a serial number from an Adobe CS product version before 5.5, plus proof of age over 65 (or whatever) that should do it. Like you, I’m not interested in web design or working with others or 80 % of the rest of the components of a modern Creative Suite. I would pay $100 each for CS6 InDesign and Photoshop, or $5/month for CC18 InD and PS if Adobe would split those two out* for an Emeritus category.
*or any other two components an old-timer might desire.
my company actually forbids the use of unapproved fonts. its an it issue. so my answer is “never.
I appreciate your positions and concerns, John, Ray, and Ron. However, Adobe made a decision when they switched to a subscription service (with CC) that they would focus on commercial, professional users rather than hobbyists, students, nonprofits, and the vast number of other users who do not use these tools to make money. If you do make money with InDesign, then $600/year (or whatever) is not a big deal… you should be able to write that off over a few jobs.
But for everyone else… well, sadly InDesign may not be the right tool for you. I hate to say that, because I love InDesign, and I wish Adobe offered some other solution. But I just don’t see them changing their minds. Unfortunately, there aren’t a lot of other good alternatives. There’s QuarkXPress… and Serif keeps promising a competitor, but I haven’t seen anything real yet.
It is not that InDesign is not the right tool—it is just as good as it always was —it is that Adobe has chosen a single business model and will not consider anything else. I am somewhat older, so it really does not matter to me; as long as I can keep my 10.8.5 computer and printer running.
>sadly InDesign may not be the right tool for you.
It IS the right tool! Their rental/business model is what isn’t right. I can only hope that a competitor will find 25% of InDesign users are worth an investment. It also means that enterprises (like yours) that educate enthusiasts and blend into CC versions of Adobe products, will also lose us.
Lou-
We don’t work for Adobe. We’re trainers and authors who love design and publishing. And this site is just one piece of the CreativePro Network. So if a strong alternative app emerges from Affinity or elsewhere, we’ll be there to support and educate the users. I think competition is great for all involved, and I’ve done Lynda.com courses on QuarkXPress, GIMP, iBooks Author, Inkscape, etc. to show alternatives outside the Adobe realm.
Thank you, David,
I fully understand. Happily, I can do everything I want presently on CS4. Inasmuch as I’m only creating content for printing via PDFs to Sir Speedy, I don’t see where Adobe stopping CS4 support will affect me. Wanting CS6 was mainly to learn some new capabilities. Ah, well. It still makes no sense to me why Adobe would renounce upgrade income from a product used by 9% of its customers when their cost would be pennies.
I have not used Adobe support in years, other than installing CS4 when I replaced my MacBookPro, as the disk was too thick for the drive in the 2015 machine. No bugs left in CS4!
Mike,
>We don’t work for Adobe
I knew that. I was focused on the issues, one of which was CS users being abandoned eventually. Software educators like yourself and others will eventually leave us behind because of practicality. I don’t see new articles on Pagemaker or CS 3, etc. Or am I wrong about that?
Well, I don’t think we’ll be writing any articles about Pagemaker, but the vast majority of content here is relevant to users who haven’t subscribed to CC. I’m not sure about CS3, but over 90% of our content is still relevant to CS6.
I pay for my CC subscription in Canadian dollars so the monthly hit of $70+ hurts when there still continue to be so many bugs in the software. Very frustrating.
I pay for the cloud every month. I am a graphic designer, and regularly use InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop. Back before the Creative Cloud, there was a Graphic Designer’s Suite that cost less than the Master
Suite, but now, everyone except photographers has to pay for absolutely everything if we want more than one thing. I would love to be able to pay for a reduced Suite!
My latest version is CS4; I was upgrading my products for years before they went to the subscription rate. This is OK for companies who are making money off their products, but I volunteer for several organizations…spend hundreds of hours a year doing web sites, newsletters, brochures, calendars, etc., so that amount of money (plus my time & other money I give) just seems unfair to my pocketbook.
My work is professional, so I need to use the best software for the job. I pray that my Adobe suite will not become obsolete.
I like Ron’s idea of “CS Emeritus”…there should be some consideration for us retired persons who are vitally important to our community organizations.
Oh, yes…free fonts… Yes, I do use them, however, I do have subscriptions to 2 different graphics/font providers so I do spend money there, too. And do not ask for compensation.
As long as your computer works, there is no reason that CS4 should be obsolete. Same here regarding subscriptions—I used to save up for upgrades when I needed them, upgraded on MY terms, not a company’s constant drain, and, now retired, do semiprofessional work for no pay now for local groups. I would pay a flat emeritus fee for a period of some years, but will choose not to get locked a subscription.
This topic hits a chord with me. I graduated from Western Washington University in graphic design and shortly after graduating married and then we began our family. I have been a stay-at-home mom. I began with PageMaker by Aldus version 2. I found ways to purchase software, even though I made less than $5k a year helping various groups, clubs and organizations. For ten years I ran an Adobe Users Group, until we were told we were too small and they said they would not support us. That was an interesting twist as we began as a MM group, then when purchased by Adobe they took over the existing UGs. At that time there were just a few of us… Adobe grew UG’s to be a BIG thing. I do purchase for $55/mo the CC. I feel that I always kept up my software, and needed to do so, as Apple changed up it’s OS often enough that the older software wouldn’t work; thus, keeping up was essential for my ability to continue to help groups without having software issues. Because I belong to several 601 (c)(3)’s I use their non profit status to purchase the software that I use to help them. I suggest that others who work with non-profits look for this fit. It is a win, win. I can upgrade software and my groups can get good service. As a UG manager many of our members complained when Adobe went to the subscription plan. I know Adobe doesn’t care about individuals who are full-time professional users, but I also feel there is a need for them to recognize those who choose to use their software without the backing of a company/corporation. Just keeping up hardware to be compatible with the software is expensive and those of us who choose to do it to help others seem to be older and could use the help with our software AND hardware. I used to have Fontographer but the hardware became incompatible and then the product was purchase by another company and I’ve not been able to afford it since. But as a calligrapher and graphic artist I found making my own fonts was enjoyable and helpful to clients, as I could make them their logo as a font that they could type… We older folks should try to work together to improve our lot. It did my heart well to read this discussion that is so near to my heart.
Sorry several typos… I thought I could edit my post…but no.
I bought my first Macbook Pro to keep up with InDesign, as CS4 would not run on my G4 desktop. I was able to upgrade it as far as 10.8.5, and it has been recommended that I not try to install it on my new computer, which came with 10.11, now 10.12 (no High Sierra for me, though; skipping this version).
Annoying to hear of Adobe dropping a group for being “too small”, but not unexpected; that is what they are doing now with us CS4 users.
I also have always purchased my own software, not been able to have a corporation buy it for me, and the groups for which I create materials are generally not formal 501(c)3 groups, nor do they have budgets of a size that would support $600+ annually.
I would gladly support an effort to make Adobe see reason (is that a fair characterization?), but would not really know where to start.
(love your icon)
I agree with so many of the people that responded to this question. I started with PageMaker, moved on to QuarkXPress, then to InDesign, having used it since it’s first iteration. Now times have changed. I am 77-years old and retired. I stay busy and maintain my skills doing pro-bono work and a news magazine for the local Mac user group. I do not get paid for doing this work but everyone that I do it for know that I am using Adobe InDesign software to create a professional level product for them.
I do have a subscription to Photoshop CC and Lightroom at their very attractive rate. However, the cost of going to the CC version of InDesign is prohibitive to me. I would dearly love to do so, especially since I cannot upgrade to macOS High Sierra since all reports indicate that there are too many issues with it in respect to InDesign 5. I’d gladly sacrifice Lightroom if I could get ID CC in it’s place along with PS CC.
I’m 71. Started with Pagemaker 1, Photoshop 2, and FreeHand 1 several decades ago. I currently use InDesign 5, Affinity Photo, and Affinity Designer to create printed and PDF output for several not-for-profit community groups. There is no way I can afford Adobe’s usurous rental for their current versions. I’m very happy with the cost, ability, and speed of Affinity’s offerings, and plan to replace My InDesign 5 with Affinity’s Publisher as soon as they release it, hopefully later this year. As the next version of MacOS will no longer run 32-bit apps, that’ll allow me to continue producing quality publications without having to use a non-current OS.
Thanks for that tip; I certainly like the price point of the Affinity design products that Serif has now, and will be interested in their Publisher program when it comes out (I do layout only, no artwork, just rudimentary photo adjustments). If the learning curve is reasonable, this old dog may decide to learn some new tricks. I just read through some of the support discussions on their site, and the instructions to a newbie working on a book sounded familiar. . . .
Can someone post a review of Affinity and how it compares with InDesign? This is the first I’ve heard of it. Does the company have a phtoshop type program?
Lou, Affinity Photo is Affinity’s photo processing app. It has most of Photoshop’s ability, lacking only esoteric functions. Available for desktops as well as iPad.
Affinity Designer is ready now. It competes with Illustrator. Google ‘serif affinity designer’ to see comparisons with AI. It looks pretty good to me– especially the less than $50 cost to own it and get free updates into the future. Affinity Publisher will perform ID functions and is in Beta. There is a teaser you can find on Google. I’m keeping my eyes open, but I’ll admit that I can’t wait to check it out.
Ron
Current information about Affinity Publisher, from Affinty’s website, “We will be starting a free public beta before the end of August.”