if you do vector art, use Inkscape. it is easier to pick up and has more features than Illustrator, and it supports SVG.
I also find many of the Gimps features more intuitive than Photoshop's. For instance, to rotate an image in The Gimp, it is under the Image menu, which is also where resize is. Resize is also in the Image menu in potoshop, but to resize you need to go to the Edit menu, the the Transform submenu. It took me far too long to figure that one out.
Frankly i think the most confusing aspect of The Gimp is its windowing model on desktops that don't properly support toolboxes. They are working on a SWM though, and it will be out in a year.
I also find many of the Gimps features more intuitive than Photoshop's. For instance, to rotate an image in The Gimp, it is under the Image menu, which is also where resize is. Resize is also in the Image menu in potoshop, but to resize you need to go to the Edit menu, the the Transform submenu. It took me far too long to figure that one out.
Frankly i think the most confusing aspect of The Gimp is its windowing model on desktops that don't properly support toolboxes. They are working on a SWM though, and it will be out in a year.