I love registering my software. You get benefits like product updates, access to interesting little add-ons and it validates to the developers that their work are being appreciated. But on occasion registering can lead to a training overload.

Only… in the past my software hasn’t always been the most legit. At home I’ve solved that challenge when I migrated to Ubuntu and the world of Open Source (and often free) software. At work our software is all genuine, but where’s the fun in registering Windows XP and MS Office (they know you’re using it anyway).

When I acquired Adobe CS3 Production Premium I was very eager to register it. I wanted to be part of the community and I actually want to know when patches and upgrades are released. After all, my professional tools need to remain sharp.

I got some unexpected benefits for my registration efforts. Upon registrations Adobe said ‘hey, here’s a little something something for registering your software, thanks for that’. Not those words exactly, but you get the drift.

They offered me two things. The first left me wondering how many people actually opt for it. It was a specially designed, retro font and as nice as it was, it was eclipsed by the second offer. The second offer was a 30 day subscription with lynda.com and access to their video training on CS3.

Lynda and I go way back. I have a Lynda training manual at home. On Dreamweaver 2 – H.O.T. Hands-on Training from 1999 no less. I got it yonks ago for the xyf when she tried to get the hang of Dreamweaver. I had a look at it and wasn’t impressed with anything but the DHTML chapter, so it really has only stayed in my collection because I love training manuals.

Anyway, CS3 comes with a few free chapters from lynda.com already included, and I really enjoyed those, especially the ones with Todd and Chad Perkins, so I opted for the training faster than you can say ‘click here to accept offer 2′.

And my goodness! For 3 days straight I sat watching every single video on every topic I knew nothing about re After Effects, Premier Pro, Soundbooth and Encore. For three days straight! I left work every afternoon with red eyes and a sore back, head pounding cause of my brain trying to categorise, link and file all the newly acquired information about all the software.

In a jiffy, a jiffy I tell you, I had acquainted myself with new features and new software. Premier Pro I have previous experience with, After Effects I’ve only seen, but never used before and Encore and SoundBooth I never even heard of before CS3. But three days later I was awestruck buy what I learned I actually have in CS3 and thanks to lynda.com and Todd and Chad Perkins (who do free lessons on their site too), and Bruce Williams from audio2u.com, who presents SoundBooth’s Essential Training, I now know my way around all of the software.

I have another 3 weeks left to go through all the ‘essential’ sections and the ‘beyond the basics’ sections of each programme, so there’s a lot still to do. And then there’s Flash, Illustrator and a hand full of other programmes I’d also like to get to know better, so there’s a serious learning curve up ahead.

Time to shut my mouth and open my mind. Information incoming!