dBahn

Paint.NET is the way to go if you want a good compromise between GIMP's power and Paint Shop Pro's elegant interface. CNET claims that it is just for basic cropping, color adjustment, etc., but in the right hands you can create amazing graphics with it, Photoshop-style. But if you are looking for a powerhouse, get the GIMP. Unfortunately, it is very hard to master it's interface overnight, and it's not a good idea to try (sleep deprivation )

Great find you have there! I have been looking for a good rounded corner tutorial for a long time. Favorited for sure. The opacity and drop shadow ones were very interesting as well. I wonder if there are any more, similar articles on the web...?

In response to the original poster:I will be truthful and honest with you. I extremely dislike flash sites, as a surfer and web developer. Many people, as soon as they see such a website, they simple turn away. Long ago, a friend of mine made a website out of a centered swf. Using Google Analytics he found out most people spent on average, 2 seconds on his site. Sure there, was a plenty of good content, but it was a Flash site, and that's all that mattered to a visitor. I read in a web design magazine several months ago this quote: "I don't see why everyone doesn't design their websites in Flash...it's so much easier than HTML or CSS..." Maybe so, but it might be worthwhile to note that the website closed down 1 1/2 months later.