I bang on about this piece of software a lot but it simply is all I need, the piece of software in question is Gimp 2.2. I really really like it due to been open source, free, very technical (sometimes loses users that way) but on the whole it is brilliant. If you have no money or a student like me then Gimp is the ownage, it has all the features apart from some newer ones of Adobe Photoshop. Well if you like this small review check out my blog the url is http://ibox-security.net/laurence1987/ there are loadsa reviews and stuff there. I recently reviewed the XFX 8800 768MB GTX.
Thanks for the "review". I've been using PhotoShop Elements and am becoming frustrated. Since it's free, I might as well give it a try.
I have yet to try Gimp. I've been using PhotoPlus from Serif, but as my graphic ability is improving (I think ) I've been contemplating giving Gimp a try. I may have to move that up in my schedule.
Besides that, there's also GimpShop. A Gimp version designed for those familiar with the Photoshop's way of working. You can check it at: http://gimpshopdotnet.blogspot.com/ Also there is: Inkscape - http://www.inkscape.org/ Scribus - http://www.scribus.net/