CS2 - PSE9

Question

I use PSE 9 and shoot RAW. I am still getting to know my way completely around PSE... I do a fair bit of texture work and layers, layer masks and even adjustment layers are now my friends... In PSE 9 I have no real issues with these but am still learning...I probably don't know what I don't know yet.
My go-to sources are Elements Village, this site and the Missing Manual for PSE 9 (fantastic book!!).
A friend has given me the CD for Photoshop CS2. Yes - 2, not a typo.
My question is - should I bother at all to install it on my computer or just continue along happily with PSE 9? I did read somewhere that
the Adobe RAW is no longer updated for CS2 and it lacks some newer editing features that PSE 9 even has.
I also don't want any computer issues with both programs being installed on the same computer.
I guess I am thinking I will save myself potential headaches as there may be little advantage in the CS2 over PSE9 but I just wanted to ask here to see if there were any reasons I should definitely install the CS2.
Opinions please!
Thank you!

Answer 1

CS2 requires activation. It will only be able to be run on two computers. You can install it on more but you can only have it activated on two at a time. You'll have to be hooked up to the Internet so it can call home and confirm you're serial number is good. Not saying this is the case but you can't give away Photoshop if you used it to upgrade to a newer version. I don't believe CS2 will activate if he used it as an upgrade to CS5. See this:
http://prodesigntools.com/how-to-transfer-adobe-software-licenses-cs5-between-people.html
That aside....
Things in CS2 not in Elements:
Layer Styles pallet...create your own layer styles
Tool presets...create and save favorite tool presets like crop sizes
Actions...Elements can play some but  With CS2 you can write your own actions and use them.
Custom Shortcuts...Make and use your own custom shortcuts.
Text on a Path.
Character palette...more text options kerning etc
Text in a Shape can be done
Warp...Transform command includes the ability to warp.
Vanishing Point filter...clone in perspective or add a decal to a box and have it follow a line of perspective by building a grid.
Liquefy...more features.
Animation palette...you can tween and set timing for gifs
Reduce Noise filter...more options as you can do it per channel
Lens Blur filter
Shape Blur filter
Box Blur filter
Fiber filter
Pattern Maker
Extract filter...probably similar to Magic extractor
Adjustment layers...ability to save and load presets
Layer masks...more options than in Elements as the layer styles palette... blending options section... includes some extra masking controls like Blend IF
Vector Masks
Pen Tool...used to make paths and vector shapes
Paths...one use is to stroke with any brush or tool you want not just the default brush tool with that one tip. You can also simulate pressure as you stroke. Paths can also be turned into selections.
Can make and save custom shapes
Patch Tool...content aware is similar
Channels
Curves
Channel Mixer
Align and Distribute...align and distrubute by selecting and clicking on an icon so things are spaced evenly.
Slice Tool...for web work.
CS2 comes with ImageReady...for making web work like buttons, gif animations, and optimization for web to name a few things.
Brush palette...you can add dynamics to brushes like adding textures and combining tips etc.
Soft proofing...view approximation of how your image looks on different systems
Smart Objects...they are more advanced in current versions.
Guides...you can just drag them from rulers where needed instead of having to specify a location.
Trim command...trim away transparent pixels with a command.
Variables...kind of a batch command
Crop in perspective
Calculations...useful for things like hair and fur selection. Basically, used to blend channels together and apply blend modes while doing so.
Apply Image...similar to adding a duplicate layer and applying a blend mode and opacity setting. Can be used to apply to an image or a mask.
Fade Command
Scripts...they are similar to actions
Fit Image command.
Match Color ...match color with another layer or image.
Color Range Command...select by color
Defringe command, Remove Matting (black), Remove Matting (White)
You also get CS2 Bridge.
Lab Color Mode
CMYK Color Mode
Duo Tones
Picture package may be more robust... I can't confirm that one
Filter Factory is on the disk if you want to play with making custom type filters.
Quick Mask
I'm sure I probably left out some stuff. I tried to think of stuff that just isn't in Elements. I think that defringe command might be in the PSE 9 but not positive on that so included it in the list. Some of the items on this list are things you might never use but others may be very useful. There will be things, however, you miss out on like the quick select tool. This is not in CS2. A handful of these items can be added by using a free add-on...although they may lack some of the function that will be in CS2.  http://www.cavesofice.org/~grant/Challenge/Tools/Files.html
I will say that I did upgrade to CS3 because CS2 was a little laggy/buggy on my system. I'm not sure if it was specific to my system or not. CS3 is extremely stable on my system.  If you have Vista, you'll need to turn UAC off when you activate or CS2 will ask you to activate everytime you open CS2.