Quote - There is a free 30 day trial version of Photoshop available at Adobe's homepage and probably something similar for PSP I imagine.

You could download both and see which one you prefer before investing what is really a rather large amount in either (even if it's not your own money).

Yep, I agree with that!  It shouldn't be about spending as much money of your friend's as possible, it should be about what you personally prefer, and if it's the cheaper program, then so be it.

PSP does have a 14 or 30 day trial.  I think back in the days of Jasc it was 30 days. I know I liked it so much that I bought it within a few days of downloading the trial. And Photoshop also has a trial.

"It is good to see ourselves as others see us. Try as we may, we are never
able to know ourselves fully as we are, especially the evil side of us.
This we can do only if we are not angry with our critics but will take in good
heart whatever they might have to say." - Ghandi