http://www.gimp.org/

The GIMP is the GNU Image Manipulation Program. It is a freely distributed piece of software for such tasks as photo retouching, image composition and image authoring. It works on many operating systems, in many languages.

http://blog.yumdap.net/archives/20-GIMPshop-for-Windows.html

that link will take you to the windows version of GIMPshop. it makes The GIMP alot easier to work with.

I've been using PS for a while now, but I've been thinking lately on giving it a try and see how similar are them 2, If I like it and find some good plug-ins I might stay with the Gimp since is open source

I think that Macromedia Fireworks is better than PhotoShop and Gimp... I' m using Fireworks 6.0 (tha la-*test*-('") version is 9) and it is better than PhotoShop 9 cs2 (I have it and I see the differences) and GIPM (I have ti too)

I have never been good with the GIMP, PS is easier for me!