Upgrades, updates and Photoshop CS3

Question

I've never had any problems with my Mac and its OSX (10.3.9). Yet, there is this nagging question that I thought I had left behind when I opted for the Mac instead of my XP Dell as my main computing environment. I acquired every piece of software to the Apple version.
When Photoshop upgraded to CS3, I figured why not, let's do it!
That is when I discovered that nothing in the computing world is simple. CS3, just as many other newer versions of so many different programs, is not back-compatible. When I lived in the Microsoft world, every program I upgraded was always back-compatible -- all of them. I had three PCs at home: Windows 98, 2000 and XP, plus my beautiful Mac. With my PCs I was guaranteed back-compatibility on upgrades of Dreamweaver, Roxio, Photoshop and a bundle of other programs.
But, my Mac with its OS X 10.3, which I bought a lifetime ago, in computing terms, is destined to the junk heap, even though it is running ever so smoothly.
I know that Apple, just as Microsoft, is in the business of making money, but the thought that no program is compatible with just one version away is ludicrous. I have some PC programs that could run on Windows 95, if I had that system in my computer.
As late as it is in the game, the whole thing makes me wonder which problem came first: the OS or the program. Is Apple to blame because Tiger or Leopard are so much different from Panther that nothing modern can run on the 10.3 version? Or is it Adobe and PSCS3? Or is it Roxio that came up with version 8 of Toast that won't install on 10.3?
Sorry about dumping this nit-picking on this group, but it is exhausting and frustrating this battle against upgrades and updates. Or, I might be wrong and we are actually supposed to march single-lined down the software road. Don't take me wrong, I love my computers, but for crying outloud, give us an update not an upgrade!
Thanks

Answer 1

You're Welcome Prskater!
"Beta 3 for Mac is only for Tiger..."
According to THIS PAGE, the System Requirements are Mac OS X 10.4.8 or 10.5.
10.5 being Leopard. But not Panther 10.3.x, as you discovered.
Also, I notice that you have marked your question as answered, but have not utilized the Helpful or Solved options. That may be intentional, but, if you are not aware of the benefits, of using that function, here is some information.
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