Hi. I am thinking of getting Scribner for the first time. I have a Mac with a 10.11.2 system running El capitan. Correct me if I am wrong but I think your latest version will not work on this right? If I want to get it, I need to get version 3 and then get a legacy of 2.9? Is that correct? If I do that, and then I update and get a more current computer or operating system is there going to be a steep learning curve to learn the differences of the old version and the new version? Thanks!
- Scrivener 3 requires macOS 10.2.1 Sierra or later.
- There never was a version 2 on Windows; they skipped from 1 to 3.
- Scrivener 3 betas were numbered 2.9.x, but they expired (dead), so there is no 2.9.
- Version 1.9.16 (or is it 17?) is the legacy version.
- If you buy Scrivener 1, you’ll have access to Scrivener 3.
- The two are very similar, but very different.
- They’re forward compatible, not backward.
- Scrivener 3 has powerful new features. Buy it!
If you’re on macOS 10.11, Scrivener 2.9 is free to use. You don’t want to buy version 3 as the license won’t work for version 2.
" * Scrivener 2.9 has been made free for all users on versions of Mac OS not supported by Scrivener 3.0 (macOS 10.11 or older).
- Added ability to unlock software with a legacy eSellerate direct-sale Scrivener v3 serial number. Important: this capability is no longer available with our new vendor. Do not buy Scrivener 3.0 unless that is the version you intend to use."
Scrivener 2 for macOS - Change List | Literature and Latte
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Welcome to Scrivener! First, I’m just another user, but I can answer a few of your questions.
That’s correct.
When I upgraded to Mac Scrivener 3.0, much of what I’d learned came right over. The major difference in the writing phase was actually having named styles. The important thing to learn there was that they don’t work like Word styles. When I worked through the “What’s new” portion of the included Interactive Tutorial (find it on the Help menu, both versions), I played with styles until I understood how to use them “the Scrivener way.” 
One day, tops.
The real “gotcha” in the Scrivener 2.x->Scrivener 3.x transition was the Compiler feature. It was extensively rewritten for v. 3.x. I’d suggest not trying to bring over 2.x compile formats, but rebuilding them from scratch in 3.x. Not something to do if you’ve got a tight deadline! 3-4 days if you’re not under pressure. I don’t know what you’d call a steep learning curve, but I was fully running with Scrivener 3.0 in a week.
If you’re thinking of switching from Mac to Windows, @drmajorbob has covered that pretty well in his post (I think, having no Windows machine.)
Hope this helps!
You don’t mention what model Mac you have and if it is capable of being updated beyond El Cap. I’m assuming not.
If you go the update system route, get one of the new M1 Macs. They are reasonably priced, performance and battery life outstanding and you’ll be able to keep current with OS updates for 5-6 years at least which should take care if any potential Scrivener upgrades for that length and beyond.
Mea culpa again, I was talking about Windows. I am such a doofus!