Craig,
My first question is: what are you going to be doing with the full Master Suite?
My second question is: doesn't that pricing look too good to be true?
I live in Adobe. Between myself and Checkered Flag, over the years, I've seen well into the 5 digit territory of Adobe software just for my machines alone. Between my NAPP membership and all the books, I can't even begin to fathom how much of a personal investment I have in their world. However, after moving from just Photoshop to Creative Suite CS2, CS3 Design for Web, and now Master Suite CS4 I have to say that over half the suite is unnecessary for my uses. I use Photoshop, Lightroom or Bridge, Illustrator, Acrobat, and Dreamweaver almost daily, but the rest sits idle unless I'm doing something very specific. I like having the other products there so I can learn them better, but what I'm trying to get at is you should think this purchase through if you're not proficient in anything but a certain portion of the suite.
On top of all that, if you're an Adobe noob, these programs are extremely frustrating. I'd put them on par with learning a foreign language. However, they're extremely rewarding when you do master them.
It has taken me years to get to where I am with Photoshop. I am an absolute master at the photography side of it - I can certainly hang with the pros and then some. But I am not a pro on the graphic design side. I can do enough to be a full time graphic designer at an ad agency, but I wouldn't call myself a master. It takes a lot of passion and investment to get to where I am, and quite a few years too.
I say that not to brag, but I see people who buy Photoshop on the photography forums I frequent, thinking that just owning the product is going to make them learn it. I then see these same folks a few weeks later bitching about how hard Photoshop is, and quitting. If you're in the latter group, I suggest not starting unless you have someone who can help you. I'm happy to answer some basic questions and show you some methods, but the lessons are best given in person.
So anyway, there are a few softwares that are expensive and deserve to be. Abobe builds a lot of them. Like a CRM, you need to give this a lot of thought before pulling the trigger. It is a bigger investment than most people think.
