I have the Academic version of CS4 and it only needed the serial..no activation at all unlike the other varieties.....i am employed in a teaching institution and they bought it for me but is registered to me and i have it on my graphics PC and my laptop..dont know whether this helps or hinders..Alan!
I do not think so
As i am currently looking at software purchases I saw CS4 on the Adobe US site for US$699. At current exchange rates (plus Johnny Howards never ever be a GST) that's about AUD$770. Adobe Aus website was quoting AUD$1439 including GST. I sent the Aus site an email pointing out the discrepancy and asking why they were ripping off Australians. Guess what? No reply.
engineIT (an aussie company selling aussie region software) have it for $984. I bought LR2.4 and CS4 from them and Scott (the owner) was great to deal with. Here's a link:
http://www.engineit.com.au/shop/inde...=photoshop+cs4
In regards to purchasing software from overseas, you sometimes need to be careful as it may be configured only to run in certain regions (ie. checks your Windoze region setting). Whilst sometimes a simple region change may work, it's not gauranteed and other "tricks" by manufacturers are employed to prevent illegal use etc.
See comment (below) from Scott of engineIT. This was taken from this thread: (http://www.ausphotography.net.au/for...378#post403378).