Adobe Illustrator 10 questions? Prices

[Industen]

I've been wanting to get into the graphic side of this for quite some time. I was messing around with Paint Shop Pro 7 for a day and finally realized you can't do it via Frosty's tutorial.   I did learn a few things though.

My question: is there an Adobe Illustrater 10 lite edition or something? I've been seeing it listing for $499-$299 which is a lot to spend on a cabinet let alone a program. Am I missing something because it seems that everyone has this program? Where is the cheapest place to buy it?

Anyone want to download the demo on Adobe's webpage and send it to me? I have a 56k modem and dloading that will take forever.  

[patrickl]

If you finish it all withing 30 days you can go for the free trial. But then you will need to get it from the site first yes  

If you look through the Artwork forum you'll find some (free) alternatives. Can't remember the exact names but I thought one of them was named sodipodi or something.

Another option for Illustrator would be to pick up an old version. I guess the basic functionality you need for arcade vector art is all available in in the older versions too.

[mahuti]

You could use Illustrator 6 and up, and be pretty happy.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3079975087&category=3801

$5 on ebay.

[zorg]

My question: is there an Adobe Illustrater 10 lite edition or something? I've been seeing it listing for $499-$299 which is a lot to spend on a cabinet let alone a program. Am I missing something because it seems that everyone has this program? Where is the cheapest place to buy it?

you can use the trial version, but note that you have to do all the art in 30 days ;(
or you can use some free alternatives, check out sodipodi for example

Anyone want to download the demo on Adobe's webpage and send it to me? I have a 56k modem and dloading that will take forever.  

the problem will be the same if we send it to you. the size will remain the same

[Industen]

the problem will be the same if we send it to you. the size will remain the same

I meant by mail    I guess I'll start downloading it a little at a time. Maybe by Christmas it will be complete...I really need a DSL/Cable modem. I may look into sodipodi but I never worked with vectors and thought that step by step Frosty guide would reduce the learning curve.