Hi, Bob. IF I had to pick just one image editing software program to use, I would choose Paint Shop Pro. I have older versions going back to when it was owned by JASC and later by Corel. The biggest problem with the newer versions is that they DO have more features, but they are also larger programs that use more memory and hard disk storage. This is especially true for the latest version of Adobe Photoshop Elements version 5 .. which is why I purchased version 4.0 .. I wouldn't even be able to use Elements version 5 on my Dell laptop, it is such a memory hog. I also got Elements version 4.0 because it is compatible with my Logitech NuLOOQ Navigator (a hardware device to use in place of a mouse and in conjunction with a graphics tablet). I already had Elements version 2.0 on my computer. Adobe Photoshop 7.0 came bundled with some hardware I bought, possibly my WACOM Intuos graphics tablet. BTW that is a good way to end up with free copies of editing software.. watch the ads for which software programs companies are tossing in if you purchase their hardware.. graphics tablets, laser mice, scanners, photo printers, etc. Elements 4.0 is very good for making quick edits, Auto Enhance, etc. And a nice feature of this is you can also get a more detailed editing window if you choose to, where you have emore control over the editing. I think the big difference between Adobe Elements and Corel PSP is that there are more online places to go get free downloads and tutorials and Plug-Ins for Adobe Elements. Also, many of the Adobe Photoshp Plug-Ins will work in Elements. And some of the Plug-Ins from Adobe WILL also work in Corel PSP. There are more books written for the Adobe products, too. An excellent manual for Adobe Photoshop Elements 4.0 is "Photoshop Elements 4: the Missing Manual", by Barbara Brundage. This weekend, when I have more free time, I will go thru both my Corel PSP and Adobe Elements programs and give you a better comparison. I learned to Image Edit on JASC Paint Shop Pro so have the most familiarity with it. If you stay behind the latest upgrade by a version, you can get it cheaper once a newer version comes out. And you can buy used software at Amazon.com and eBay. It is almost annoying how fast the companies keep coming up with upgrades for their image editing software. Makes it harder to learn the programs and get a feel for what is where in the layout. Gail R (WNY)

Thanks..that's great...I like PSP 7 better than XI...I don't have 9 or 10. I wonder why they don't put animation shop in the newer ones....I probably wouldn't have bothered with it had I known that feature wasn't there...

Note: There is a PSPX Update on the Corel site, for those that already have PSPX. Update Carol, I don't know how much help I will be. Each of us uses PSP for different types of projects and that makes a difference in our needs. It doesn't have Animation 3 with it. You have to have a previous version or (I guess) buy Animation separate. My first PSP was 7. When 8 came out, I updated to 8. When 9 came out, I updated to 9. Now, I have PSPX. As I updated, I never went back, each new version had additional new effects and/or tools. So far I like PSPX, I haven't had any trouble with it. I have all three versions on my puter and they live happily together. The only reason I keep all of then is, if I'm helping some one, I need them to remember where things are in each version. The first thing I do when I install a new version is, take the time to customize the new version. I put the tools and Icons in the same place as the previous version so that I don't have to hunt, it takes time but it's worth the extra time. I just finished doing that with PSPX, every thing is in the same place as PSP9. Other than the new effects, I can't even tell the difference between 9 and X. After I customize, I save the the new workspace and name it custom1. When I do have a problem all I have to do is go to File/Workspace and reload and it corrects the problem. As time goes by there will be less tutorials and certainly no updates for the previous versions, especially PSP7. The bottom line is, I'm happy with PSPX. It has some new features, and it loads faster than the previous versions. Hope this helps... Joy

Nothing can compare with the original JASC made PSP's. Coral has their own system which I think is a whole new ballgame. I know their help support stinks cause I just got the run around with them on a problem that got solved right off the bat from JOY, here on this forum when I posted my problem just ONCE! I had been emailing Coral several times about it which they could not tell me how to correct it.