Graphics: Gimp

GIMP is an acronym for GNU Image Manipulation Program. It is a freely distributed program for such tasks as photo retouching, image composition and image authoring. It can be used as a simple paint program, an expert quality photo retouching program, an online batch processing system, a mass production image renderer and an image format converter. GIMP is expandable and extensible. It is designed to be augmented with plug-ins and extensions to do just about anything. The advanced scripting interface allows everything from the simplest task to the most complex image manipulation procedures to be easily scripted. GIMP is written and developed under X11 on UNIX platforms. But basically the same code also runs on MS Windows and Mac OS X.

Why do I recommend this?

Up until a few months ago, I literally was using an old 1993 drawing program from the long-dead MicroGraphix company titled Draw!. For graphics manipulation, I was using an even older version of PaintShop. With my need for a portable life, I have started to use the OpenOffice drawing tool and Gimp. Both run off my USB stick, and while I have to say a decade of habits formed on the old tools makes any switch a bit frustrating, so far I have been able to nearly reproduce my expected results. Over time I'll learn to do exactly what I need.

Details