By Samantha Abram
A few weeks ago, select students at Hofstra University received an email stating they would no longer be able to download Adobe programs. Computers in the University’s classrooms close Photoshop after an extended amount of time, stating the license has been altered. If students try to download the program on their Hofstra Blackboard, this note pops up:
“Due to changes by Adobe in licensing terms, students may no longer access this software application using this method.”
According to Robert W. Juckiewicz, vice president of information technology at the University, Adobe changed its terms regarding licenses, causing the loss of access.
Prior to this incident, students had the opportunity to install Adobe programs including Adobe Photoshop, on their personal computers through the Hofstra Blackboard. These programs especially benefitted those in the fine arts department that used them to for classes.
The costs of these programs run up to hundreds of dollars distressing students that both relied on or casually used them.
Gaby Chiha, a journalism student needed Adobe Photoshop for her digital photography class, but deleted the program when she received the email notification.
“Now I have to buy it myself with the little money I have,” said Chiha.
Senior Tori Jackson used Adobe programs leisurely.
“I first heard about the free programs last semester,” said Jackson. “I downloaded it for a few quick fixes, but just had to delete it off my computer. No college student has the money to go out and buy Adobe on their own, so it really isn’t fair.”
With the programs no longer available for download, students are restricted to using the programs at computer labs around campus.
“I had to go into Hammer Lab to edit some photos I took for a project,” said Simone Gorski, a senior at the University. “It was very inconvenient,” she added.
Juckiewicz claims that Adobe is currently working on a possible system, which would allow students to rent their programs for the semester or year.
Correction: The print edition of this article published Feb. 16, 2012, incorrectly states the author’s name as Samantha Abrams. The author’s name is in fact Samantha Abram, assistant editorial editor of The Hofstra Chronicle.
