Hey, DFL!
I am Do not know where superhuman is from but am sure he is from a far super planet somewhere
Yes, he is above us all!!! No, I am not from NTID -- from Gally but am working for an IT field and have expereience with a lot of techy stuff. Anyhow,
Adobe -- pending on what your needs. If you just want to learn after effect then the software for that ranges from $650 to $700 (pending on the reseller). My best advice would to go with Adobe Video collector which include: adobe after effect, photo shop, encore, and adobe priemere. You can't beat that! That is a good bargin.
Avid express DV -- for standard -- you pay $1,400 but for the powerpack, they are probably pricing it at the same amount i last saw which is $2,400. This include Boris Efx - but adobe after effect is much better. There is an upgrade version on it's way which am looking forward to recieving this package as well.
All and all, what are your goals? Avid is great for professional editors who want to make sharp crisps films, etc... Adobe is more for internet streaming in my opinion. Good luck on your choice.
By the way, with the upgraded version for adobe pro and avid -- it is much harder to crack these days. They are using activation nowadays.
Flux