i tried PS few times, and the interface/layout puzzled me; but it may be because i had bad habits at another software. PSP was simple to use and interesting, but since 7th version, it requires IE5 or 6 to be present in order to install itself. Such a behavior (a paint software needing a internet browser, a flawy and unsecure one not to mention) put it directly into the forgettable things... if you are not afraid, you can try gimp; big communauty for support, alien interface but... depending on what you want to do (postwork/photo edition or cell drawing and such) you may try pixia, strange but has interesting features (such as gonta's filter engine, if you are good at math) i heard once about anotehr software that was strange but interesting: satori photo xl; never tried so far, but a friend was enthousiast about it.