hi mouse48,
there are more programs to make a fractal.
a number of them are for free, some have a try before you buy policy and some you just have to buy . so, try to find out first what kind of fractal attracts you the most here on renderosity.
if you know what you like, ask the fractal maker what programm he uses.
look also at the free stuff list at the top of this page and see what is there.
the rest is a lot of trial and error and amazement in what you can do. tutorials are here as well and most programs come with a tutorial to get you on the way.
have a lot of fun.
monica