Since this thread has been refreshed and I missed it the 1st time....and since the original title was about alternatives to Photoshop, I will put in my usual 2¢ worth about freeware alternatives for Windows PCs.

Photofiltre is an excellent free item. Not up to Photoshop, but will do most of what the average person ever needs.

read review here


Another interesting one is PaintStar, which will do unusual tricks like making curved text, besides being a full-featured editor.

There are some others, but these are current and maintained.....and free.