I've been using Photoshop over 20-years, since version 2.0 (~1990), and I know it like the back of my hand.
GIMP is very, very similar, and if you really know photoshop, you won't find it hard to pick up at all. It has it's limitations; it is what it is.
So too Photoshop (which IMO is far from perfect, least of all in its 'one size fits all' pricing model, and onerous drm).
I've stuck with version 6 for my own stuff, since I find later versions generally qualify as ill-conceived bloatware (I use CS3 at work).
Well that's true, and that's where GUMP comes into its own.
Dude, if you are using paint shop "pro"...
um... never mind.
It didn't cost me anything. Oh wait, yeah.
I accept your point but it's still rubbish.
The job I wanted to do has now been done in Photoshop, though I did struggle to draw a curved arrow :-$
Fair point, but something is rubbish when you need a plugin to do a very simple task. And even with the plugin the simple task isn't simple.
It was a highly time consuming experience, a waste of time in fact because I couldn't get done what I wanted. I'm all for using FOSS/Freeware, but when it's promoted as a viable alternative I have to disagree.