I love the older version Joan yes, and different people have different opinions as to the old and the new. Of course it's really updated now, but I found ( I have version 8, which is JASC, and X which is Corel) but with all the tuts online, unless you do a proper course, lots of the tubes etc won't open because they've been done so long ago. I used to download the bits and then try to open them, and get a message to say they
 "were not a supported type, OR, not a genuine PSP image) which they were, but just too new for me to open.

The thing is, if you learn the complete programme, it doesn't matter WHAT scrapbook or card making programmes they bring out, you could do everything yourself . The other thing is, I don't use even a third of what I learned, but the things that are popular like adding text, making my own tubes , backing papers and so on and so forth, I use all the time. I haven't used a plug in since I finished the course. If the cheaper programmes enable you to "have a play" then I would say go for it. My PSP original came with my PC so have never had to buy one anyway x
I know a lot of people like MCS, and I have some myself, but I STILL think it needs a lot of ironing out, there's stuff I can't do, and I even paid for upgrading and doubling my ram, and bits still don't work. Serif was taught as the publishing programme when I went to college, and if that does everything you need , well I'd say go for it x