[StLee]

In my switch to a new laptop, I realize that my Photoshop CS3 code no longer works. I looked it up and Adobe no longer allows people to use CS3. OK, I bought it more than a decade ago, so money well spent. However, now Photoshop is $20/month to use (and apparently no guarantee of a "lifetime ownership"). Thanks but no thanks since I use it casually--I just can't justify a $20/month subscription.

Therefore, I downloaded GIMP. Wow! That is a learning curve. I spent a few hours yesterday watching videos, reading articles, and playing with the program. It is not as intuitive as Photoshop, but at least I will have an alternative to Photoshop. On the negative side, I probably will not be putting together too many more of my ballpark banners and billboards in the short term. I will attempt to update and change uniforms, but it took me well over an hour just to figure out that the color layers do not work anything like Photoshop in GIMP. I finally figured it out, I think, but that will also be time-consuming since I cannot open and edit multiple photos at once.

It's unfortunate in my case as a casual/hobby user of Photoshop. CS3 was perfect for my needs. I suppose if I ever want to go through a marathon uniform-making session, I can just use my old laptop, which now functions as my younger son's school laptop. Otherwise, I'll slowly work through and eliminate graphics when not necessary.

I will try editing championship banners today just to see if I can figure them out. If I cannot, then I will include fewer made graphics and just include screen grabs from OOTP for standings, box scores, team vs team, etc. I also may not be able to add my Sole Survivor Series cup to the playoff tree. Ugh.

I like graphics since they are part of the fun of doing a dynasty. I like making my own uniforms. However, if they become too much of a chore in my now limited time until December, then I will have no choice to scrap them or else I will never finish the offseason for 2297.

I also requested a schedule for the 2298 season in the OOTP schedules section of this site, but it appears people are not active in making schedules. Therefore, I will need to make it myself, which is time-consuming. I have been putting that off.

I suppose it is time to do a little more creative writing for this dynasty. Let's see, time for the Chronicler? Nick Valentine cases? Random terminals? Fast forwards? Wait...Random terminals have been done through Photoshop, too. No!!!