Guess I could post this over in "Photoshop Forum"... I've used Photoshop since V3, [So, at initially $600, plus 4 upgrades at $140 each, yipes!] There is likely not a better program for manipulating photos. But with all the separation, prepress, pantone, etc., stuff that makes this a "professional" product, which I never use, causes me to ask for something cheaper. [I'll stick with Photoshop; but what can I recommend to others, or buy for newbees at Christmas?] I've been frustrated with versions like "Photoshop LE," (no Channels!). What are your favorites, combining useful features at a reasonable cost? [Does anyone use GIMP?]

Hmmm... I've been a PS user since version 3, too. I can't think of any other tool to replace it with. (o_O) Well, I had this Adobe Photo Deluxe installer that came free with my scanner. I've never tried it though. But it certainly is cheapest for me (it was for free! hehe). (*

Attached Link: http://www.jasc.com/

Paint Shop Pro hands down Michael....as close to PS as you can get...for $99 + or - a few bucks either way. You can download a demo version from Jasc.... I used PSP for years....until I got Photoshop and I can't say enough good things about it.

Several months ago, when I found this site & started looking around, I use to go to chat a lot & it was recommended to me to buy Paint Shop Pro. At 99$ it was a bargain & still my program of choice, I find it similiar to PS, not as many options but I love it! (I have PS now too) There's still a lot for me to learn in both progs, & PSP has channels, if you're referring to the color seperation? And it supports many of the PS plugins. PSP may still be too expensive of a Christmas gift, "Picture It" looked like it might be a good start too or that PS mini prog, whatever it was called if you just wanted photo editing-

Attached Link: GIMP Plugin and Filter Examples

Misha - If you have or can install Linux, Gimp is an exceptional program that rivals Photoshop in almost every way. And how do you ever beat -free-? Throw into it that updates are made regularly and that there are a large number of free filters and plugins for it (see link for a few examples). And all for a free OS. Did I mention I like free stuff? :) -=>Donald

GImp is the cheapest you'll find at 0$. However, the windows version has never been a good thing. If you use it, go with the Linux version. I saw it running about 2 years ago, and damn was it ever fast on an exceptionally slow Pentium MMX 233mhz box, even had EDO Ram! There's also Photoshop Elements, PSP as well. Both have demos i believe.

I tried the Windows version of GIMP about a year ago and it was a nightmare for sure....

Yea..stay away from the Windows version. It doesn't have nearly as much development time as the Linux version. Besides, -anything- you put onto Windows is bound to be a nightmare. That's right!! I said it!!! And I'm only 20 minutes away from the Mothership (Redmond,WA). Ummm...if I vanish, please let my family know it was the Microsoft Police that did it.:) Ok ok...XP has been treating me fairly nicely (although i still have yet to figure out these little pauses the system does even when it's doing nothing). -=>Donald

dude, you might have some wierd power management settings turned on, which are mainly for laptop battery consumption sheise. I had wierd puases with Win98 when I got my first machine 3 years ago, and only figured out a year later it had to do with the power management settings. Give that a shot?