GIMP Software Review

This is one of my favourite pieces of image-editing software. It can perform to high standards and allows a huge amount of customization via the "PREFERENCES" section.
There are many advanced features like curves, cloning, unsharp mask, print size scaling – and of course – a layers tool. Most of these work just fine for me – except the noise reduction, which I'll mention later in my review.
User-friendliness is reasonably good, once you learn the "GIMP way", it is easy. I have never had any serious "crashing" problems which were directly attributed to GIMP itself. I would advise that when working on photo(s), close as many extra open windows as possible (e.g. email, internet, My Documents, etc.). By doing this you greatly reduce the risk of losing work due to program "crashing". Remember, an ordinary JPG file can turn into a monstrous 100MB file while it is being edited...
I find GIMP to nearly match up against similar programs such as Corel Paint Shop Pro 9 – but GIMP is free. I would heartily recommend this program!

• Tremendous value!!!! (Free, download from www.gimp.org.).
• Works with WinXP, Linux or Mac computer OS's.
• Most of the essential tools that the average photographer will ever need.
• Easy-to-use.
• Plenty of customizing options.
• Fast start-up.
• Full-featured clone tool.
• Various selecting/tracing tools.
• Wide array of filters, including special-effect.
• Very handy crop tool, including guides. (Rule-of-thirds, golden sections, etc.).
• Never had any serious "crashing" problems.
• Free, downloadable plugins available to expand versatility.

• No image metadata browser. (You can view/edit captions, but not EXIF).
• Help missing in the included handbook.
• No zooming in/out while previewing an effect in the "image preview window". (Unlike Paint Shop).
• Noise-reduction feature does not work well, and is limited to "despeckle" mode only.
• Limited number of "gimmicky" features.
• Text stamp performs less than ideally.
• Several different windows required for editing images.