I’ve been using The GIMP since I stopped pirating software a few years ago. I am by no means a graphic artist (more like a graphic tragedy), but for those who want to become an open-source software user and this want the capabilities of a powerful image manipulation program, The GIMP is a great alternative to Photoshop. Sure, there are certain aspects that are not as simple as they are in Photoshop (or Adobe Fireworks) like creating a red rectangle. The GIMP is not an image creation program as much as it is an image manipulation program.

There’s also a hack to The GIMP menus to make them appear more like what PS or Fireworks users are familiar with. The hack is called GIMPshop and can be found at plasticbugs.com/?page_id=294. Good stuff. Stop pirating software and start supporting the open-source community who is trying to create better alternatives!