Adobe did call back, BUT...

[Raven]

As posted previously, I've been able to transfer all my work files from an old iMac to a newer one. It's been a lengthy process due to font management and Apple Mail issues. Both have Mac OS10.14. I can't go any further with the OS or my three Adobe CS6 apps (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) won't work. Because I can only use Adobe apps on two Macs, I had to deactivate them on my Mac Book Pro and I tried activating them on my new iMac. But it would only allow 30 day trials! I should be able to use those 3 apps on my new iMac. I called Adobe numerous times and finally have a call back tomorrow. I hope! I'm desperate to get this resolved. My design work depends on it.

Here is what they emailed me to do. I am a bit wary to do this in case I screw up. Can someone answer a few questions, please...

1. Obviously there are two Libraries. Not sure what "~" means?

2. Why are they telling me to install ILLUSTRATOR twice?

3. Did they forget to show me how to install my other two Adobe Apps?

4. "Extract the dmg file by running the file in terminal". I'm not sure what that means. I've always stayed out of Terminal cause I've heard you can screw things up big time. How do I "run the file in terminal"?

Much thanks again TS!!

[Xairbusdriver]

Not sure what "~" means?

1. “~” means your User home directory. In Finder, it is usually labeled with your User name and a little ‘house’ icon, that’s your “home”. For some unexplained reason, Apple wants to hide that from us. But is extremely easy, not to mention, very useful, to have that third “Library” visible. The obvious place is in the Sidebar of Finder.

So:

• Close all Finder windows.
• Select the “Go” menu.
• If you are lucky, there will be a "Library" item there. Select that item.

You should now have a Finder window labeled "/Users/ravensUserName/Library". Drag that window into another Finder window Side bar.

In some OS's Apple even refused to be kind enough to include "Library" in the "Go" list. No problem.

• A. Select the "Go to Folder..." item near the bottom.
• B. Type "~/Library" (without the quotation marks, of course.)

You should now have a Finder window labeled "/Users/ravensUserName/Library". Drag that window into another Finder window Side bar.

Why are they telling me to install ILLUSTRATOR twice?

2. They aren't. Carefully compare the two links. They are pointing to two different files:
The first one ends with "Illustrator_16_Content_LS16.dmg".
The second one ends with "Illustraor_16_LS16.dmg".

Did they forget to show me how to install my other two Adobe Apps?

3. Indeed, but you can ask them for the link(s). Those "links" look suspiciously like they include license numbers! I certainly hope not! NOTE: all these downloads are "Trials", you'll need your license numbers to activate them.

It appears that you are conversing with non-English native speakers. At least their grammar is terrible for a professional company representative.

4. If these are .dmg files they will simply install/open a Finder window. I don't use any of these Adobe apps, so I can't tell what may be in them. I certainly have never heard of use Terminal to install a normal app. Hopefully there will also be a "Help.txt" file in there. Usually, for modern apps, there is just an 'app' icon that you drag to your Application directory. There is usually an arrow graphic pointing to an "Applications" graphic.

[jchuzi]

In addition to Jim's instructions, read How to Always Show Library Folder in MacOS Catalina User Home Directory. These instructions apply equally to other versions of macOS.

[Raven]

Xairbusdriver,
I downloaded the two installers for Illustrator that Adobe gave me as shown in my screen shot. When I clicked on the INSTALL app(?), it tells me "installer failed to initialize. Could be due to a missing file. See Adobe Support Advisor".

Could this because I did NOT "extract the dmg file by running the file in terminal"?
Not sure exactly what that means.

Also, now I have ask them about Photoshop and InDesign.

[Paddy]

Raven, you're trying to install software that hasn't been supported on the Mac OS since 10.12 - so yeah, there will be issues. From what I've read, the main issue is the installer (and the updater) - neither work properly from 10.12 on.

See: https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/kb/install-creative-suite-mac-os-sierra.html

I get not wanting to pay for the Adobe subscription for Creative Cloud; at $791/yr in Canada it isn't cheap. For that reason, I went looking for alternatives for InDesign (don't use Illustrator, so wasn't looking for that) and also looked at Photoshop/Lightroom alternatives, even going so far as to purchase CaptureOne.

I've now been using Affinity Publisher instead of InDesign for several years - and it's great. It now has the ability to import IDML files. Perpetual licensing and cheap - ($75) - and they do have sales sometimes as well. (it was 50% off with a 90 day trial earlier this year - a "COVID special"). Affinity Designer is very favourably reviewed as an alternative to Illustrator. And Affinity Photo, which I also own, is very good as well.

For Photoshop and Lightroom I've continued using the CC versions (son's student subscription, which he wasn't using, hasn't run out yet...though may do so this month, alas, as he's moved on to another uni that doesn't offer it) - with over 100,000 images in Lightroom, the task of converting to something else is daunting. I do own CaptureOne - it's just finding the time to play with it. However, the PS/LR subscription is far cheaper than the rest of the CC suite, so I may (grudgingly) opt for that.

I'd recommend giving the alternatives a serious look - they'll allow you to update your OS to current versions and I think the overall user experience will be considerably less frustrating. There are trial versions of the Affinity software, btw.

[Raven]

Paddy, totally understand how old CS6 is. I have purchased 3 Affinity apps and their workbooks. Daunting task to learn how to use them. A bit of a glitch is that each InDesign app on my old iMac must be exported as a IDML file to my new iMac. Another reason to get the CS6 apps on my new iMac.

Well, after days of trying, calling, leaving messages and promises that Adobe would call back at such and such a time, I finally did get Adobe to call back.  Had a great hour phone help chat with someone in India! He used Remote Support to access my iMac and had to delete ALL Adobe files and there were many. Some I would never have found or known about. Then he downloaded three CS6 apps and initialized them. He said they would all be working now.

BUT, when I launched the apps the first time, it said I have to activate them and get a Response Code. But I was not connected to the internet. I tried calling Adobe again and left messages. No call back.
I went to Adobe Problem Solving and found the solution for all three. Everything is working now! Not sure how long I will be able to use CS6 apps, so have started trying to learn Affinity apps and hope to glean off Adobe.
I still have some other issues with the migration to my new iMac with font conflicts. Working on that now. There is hope! :-)