Linux / Unix has been free for decades, yet it has failed to gain traction in the market. I don't think price is the deciding factor here.  The main question in most consumers' minds would be compatibility. Is it compatible with their existing apps and if not, does it offer enough to make abandoning their existing software investments worthwhile?

Both Mozilla and Google are creating operating systems that will run web apps and there are is also the open source WebOS. I'm not sure that Adobe can offer much that is not already being offered in these operating systems, and it will be even harder to gain market share when competing alternatives are free.

So while your optimism is admirable, I really wouldn't hold my breath if I were you.

OpenCL is an open standard that allows your computer to process non-graphical commands on the GPU. This allows your GPU to act as an additional CPU for your system. The result is that it can speed things up significantly and reduce the load on your CPU. This is essentially what CUDA does already, but only with NVIDIA cards. OpenCL is a standard that is not tied to a particular GPU manufacturer.

While Jim has been waiting for Prince Charming to come sweep him off his feet, I've bought some HMC150s that made my clients go "wow that's good!" and made a ton of cashola, then sold those for almost what I bought them for, and now I've bought into AC130s and AC160s that make my clients go "wow that's good!" and I'll probably sell those and buy another amazing camera before he ever gets an HPX250.

To paraphrase The Most Interesting Man in the World: "I don't always use AVCHD cameras, but when I do, I finish a lot of projects and make people happy."

I agree. I don't see a need for another OS on the market, or even another browser. It would likely lead to more and different problems for too many people. I'd rather spend my time using my machine than figuring out HOW to use it.

However, my main reason for posting is some confusion I'd like cleared up, please re: CS5.5.

I'm still running CS2 (laugh if you must) on a customized, vendor-built machine:

XP Pro 32-bit, double dual-core AMD Opteron 275 processors in a Tyan mobo, nVidia 1500 graphics card, dual monitors, an internal RAID, a bunch of external disks, ShuttlePro V2, (a "hot" - and expensive - system in its' day), but have reached the point where I think I'll have to upgrade to CS 5.5. (I also use GV Edius Neo for AVCCAM editing/conversion/export).

I work on a variety of projects, but as you might guess, I have lots of legacy work, captured via a JVC SR VS30U mini-DV/VHS deck via firewire. That has become a bit of a workhorse for me, particularly when capturing/editing legal work from others. (The cast majority of the legal work requires capturing from mini-DV tape).

My concern stems from Harm's mention of less than full firewire support in CS 5.5.

I'm considering buying a turnkey system because it seems any optoins for upgrading my hardware are out of date/no longer available. (I've never built a computer, and would rather spend time editing than doing that), But many turnkeys currently available do not come with firewire, and Harm's comment hints that I might have to learn some new "dance steps" in order to edit using firewire capture with CS5.5.  (something I don't fully understand about turning off the MPE). In all my reading of CS5, I've never noticed firewire problems mentioned.

If I upgrade from CS2 to CS5.5, am I facing firewire problems I never expected/wasn't aware of?

All input invited. (Even chuckles at using CS2).

Thanks for your patience.

So if I understand correctly, MPE gets turned off in Project Settings in CS5.x? When I saw Harm's "complaint", I was afraid it would require more involvement.

Thanks so much. That sets my mind at ease.

Lately I've been doing more legal work than in the past, but still want the render/speed advantages of a faster processor and MPE for editing/uploading/downresing AVCCAM for web content, for DVCPROHD, and other non-legal work, and hopefully/eventually editing for BD. (I'm presuming CS 5.x handles AVCCAM more quickly than GV Edius Neo, especially with a new processor, though I've been impressed with Neo 2.5 and the versatility it provides when converting & exporting.AVCCAM footage.

Now I have to decide if I should go for a high-speed i7 Exteme Edition hex-core processor, or double quad-core Xeon 2.1 processors. I'm not savvy enough about processors to know which would be better.

Thanks again, and Happy holidays.