I have an old version of Photoshop 6. I am getting very interested in learning this powerful software program, however I was wondering if I should just get the newest version before taking the time to learn the older versions. Also, I want to get a good easy to follow photoshop book. Are there books that will be good to use with CS2 and 6.0? Thanks for any feedback.

well you will able to upgrade to CS2 quite cheaply providing your version 6 is a legitimate copy and there are many books and resources available for learning CS2 either through Adobe themselves or from third party authors such as Deke McClelland.

Check your library for books .. my local branch only had books for 6 + 7 ... also .. check their book sales if they have them

I think some major improvements were added at version 7 (blending modes, etc) .. I could be wrong though

and if so, i wonder if mulligan stores are in the yellow pages.....

I currently use version 6. I refuse to use CS because doing so will inform me of what I'm missing and I wouldn't otherwsie have any reason to switch. Note that version 6 does have blending modes. Anything that you learn in version 6 will translate nicely to the newest version. I would not purchase a new copy until I was sure that I really needed one of the missing features or unless I had money to burn.

Well all the major improvements from v.7 onwards have been mainly geared toward producing web graphics and enhanced manipulation tools. The core functions haven’t really altered so much as being refined. As Caedes pointed out, learning one version translates easily to the next, despite Adobes occasional efforts to hide and over complicate their menus in the name of progress. The big steps in the CS versions onwards were the improved integration with other Adobe products – that being the Suite part of the Creative Suite name and repairs to the colour engines which threw up various anomalies in colour display under ICC profiling.

Thanks for all of the feedback. I went out and bought two books today that were meant for CS, but haven't ran into anything that I can't do in 6 yet. I am sure some features described in the books will be missing from 6. ect...photo filters. But, I think I will follow caedes suggestions and see what I am missing before I purchase CS. I made a horrible sunset on a horizon picture I downloaded from the caedes member, Benroy. I think I will learn to drive the kia (6) before I move to the mercedes (CS). Thanks again.