What programs are simliar to Adobe photoshop?

Can you recommend programs similar to Adobe photoshop that aren't as expensive? I would like a program that will allow me to use different effects to edit images, layer/blend images and include text with special effects too. I'm not a computer whiz, I just know that I was able to do this with Adobe photoshop when I was in college using campus computers. Thanks.

What programs are simliar to Adobe photoshop?spyware removal

I would recommend one of the following programs, all costing under $100. Which you choose will depend on how you expect to use it. All four programs have free trials you can download and use for 30 days, so I would suggest doing so, to see which best suits your needs and personal style.

Adobe Photoshop Elements 4 at http://www.adobe.com

Corel Paint Shop Pro X and

Corel Painter Essentials 3 both at http://www.corel.com

PhotoImpact 11 at http://www.ulead.com/pi/runme.htm

Of the above, Paint Shop Pro will be most like Photoshop in potential and capability, but it may not be the one that most suits your own needs.

There are a number of free programs available, but none will be as capable as the above programs. However, they might do what you need to, depending on what that is. Linked below are seven of the free programs available.

http://picasa.google.com/index.html