Feeling guilty about trying to pirate adobe photoshop? It cost so darn much! But you're dying to get your hands on it, right? So was I until I found this absolutely free software called GIMP that is just as powerful as Photoshop! (Not like wimpy Windows Paint!)
How is it free?
It's released under the GNU Public License. Waaaah?? All you need to know is that means it's made by dedicated software developers who don't charge anything for their software, in the hopes that the software is spread more freely and made popular. Thats kinda strange, I know, but really awesome for us!
Hold on to your mouse!
I'm not only gonna tell you about GIMP, which stands for GNU Image Manipulation Program, I'm going to show you how to download and install it and show you some screenshots of what it looks like.
Downloading the free photoshop alternative, aka. GIMP
Choose the Windows version (Alternative Download Link)
Screenshot of downloaded gimpshop installer file.
Run the GIMPSHOP installer
Keep the default settings
Just keep hitting continue
Start of the setup wizard.
Keep default check boxes and values.
The installation progress bar, this may take a minute or two.
Finish up, you can uncheck the Show Readme if you want.
Launch your new free photoshop download (hehe)
You can launch it how any normal program can be launched, from the Program Files menu!
You'll see a series of (orange) windows, again just accept the defaults and keep clicking Continue/Next.
First launch of Gimpshop! (There are a couple of these orange screens)
Well, you could change the cache size on this page if your computer has a lot of memory. If you don't know, just leave it alone.
Finally, start using Gimpshop -- woo hoo!
If you're familiar with Photoshop already, you'll be able to see the similarities.
Screenshot of freshly installed Gimpshop
There you have it! Enjoy your free download of photoshop! -- I mean gimpshop!
It's not exactly the same as photoshop
Alright, I realize it's not an exact clone of photoshop -- I'm not here to trick you or insult your intelligence. But I am here to...
Encourage you!
You can shed the guilt and worry of pirating photoshop and use the equally powerful program, gimpshop. I bet 9 times out of 10 that most people can do what they need to very easily in gimpshop. And millions of others have already fell in love with it!
Save your money, guilt, and worrying on this one because once you start using gimpshop (and other GNU free software) you'll feel a big weight off your chest!
Awesome Examples of what you can do with GIMP
Check out some of the stunning effects that can be accomplished with GIMP (from http://howto.nicubunu.ro)
Resources 
