• Adobe TV, the Elements Channel, help and info videos from Adobe - tv.adobe.com/product/photoshop-elements/
• Elements YouTube Channel - youtube.com/user/photoshopelements
• The Manual from Adobe, PDF download - helpx.adobe.com/pdf/photoshop-elements_reference.pdf
• How to use Lightroom with Elements - tv.adobe.com/watch/going-from-photoshop-elements-to-lightroom/using-lightroom-and-elements-together/
• Adobe Photoshop Elements Techniques, a subscription based resource (print and web) for Photoshop Elements users - photoshopelementsuser.com/
• Download Trial Version from Adobe - http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/tdrc/index.cfm?product=photoshop_elements&loc=us
• Paid Technical support and tutoring for all things relating to digital photography, Photoshop, Lightroom and Elements - TeachTech Inc. - teachtechcolorado.com
• RAW vs. JPG: Luminous Landscape Article - DPS article
• What's new in version 13? - http://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop-elements/using/whats-new.html

Questions

Where is my Elements Catalog file stored on the computer?

• Mac: Home Folder/Library/Application Support/Elements Organizer/Catalog_Name
• Windows: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Adobe\Photoshop Elements\Catalogs

You can manage you catalogs and have multiples. You can place them in custom locations as well. Use File Menu > Manage Catalogs...

What is the difference between Elements and the full version of Photoshop?

For non-professional photographers and image creators the answer is basically "cheaper". There are some features that allow more detailed, granular control of images in the full version but you can make beautiful images for prints and the web with either product.

This link has info that was last updated in 2010 but still is basically accurate. This one has 2 easy to scan lists of differences. graphicssoft.about.com/cs/photoshop/f/elementscompare.htm

This link is more up to date, but more wordy too. photographylife.com/photoshop-vs-photoshop-elements

What preferences should I set?

Most of the default values are fine. Here's my recommendations for others.

Organizer

• Set the saving locations to the folder you always want to start in when saving.
• Turn all the analyzing off. It will slow things down.
• Turn Backup off unless you have no other back up strategy in place. If you do not have a strategy, call me ;-)

Editor

• Memory usage, set to the highest number you can. Adobe products eat RAM like a kid goes through Cheerios. You should always Save and Quit/Re-start the program often.

Gotchas

• Metadata templates must be made from the Editor. With an image open choose File > File Info > Enter data and Export the set. Then you can use it on import.
• iPhoto import, you should re-organize your iPhoto library before importing, don't just pick it from the import list or it will be difficult to find images as they will all be nested in oddly named folders.
• Apparently, searching is a little unreliable and limited with the search box or the Find Menu > Advanced Search options. My recommendation is to use the Find Menu > By Details (Metadata)... choice.
• PDF slideshows are saved in an invisible temp folder on the computer. You must drag them from the email message that they get attached to if you want to save them for yourself.
• When creating a new album, look to the right of the screen. It is waiting for you to name the album before it appears in the Album list on the other side of the screen.

What is new in version 12?

Video on what's new, click here.

• Some mobile phone integration
• Content aware move tool
• Some frames and textures
• Pet eye fix tool
• Auto Tone control attempts to "learn" what you like
• Straighten tool fills voids left with content aware technology
• Private shared albums
• Twitter integration