lately ive been wanting to make my OWN backgrounds and my OWN graphics and i wanted them to look really professional and ive heard of these really great paint programs. so i have a question: does PhotoShop work the same way as PaintShop Pro or is PSP better? and which one takes up the less space? well ok, they're 2 questions, but im really interested. Thanx in advance!

Okay..
[1] PSP & PaintShop Pro are the same thing.
[2] Photoshop is more proffessional and is mainly used in the graphic despign industry. It is also fairly expensive [around $300 Aust.] and takes up around 13MB minimum [with out any extra such as plug-ins, brushes etc]
[3] PSP isn't so expensive [approx. $100 Aust.] but is not as acuriate as Photoshop, but is easier to use. Although I am unsure to its size.

Having used both programs I prefer Adobe Photoshop mainly because its much more acurate and it has much more applications than PSP does.

I hope that helped [if you could understand it!] :D

[1] PSP & PaintShop Pro are the same thing.

oh i knew that, i was just asking if paintshop pro is better that photoshop?

depends on several things. I hate photoshop, becuase it's slow loading because of the mucho elements etc it has into the program. I love psp because it's fast, it's easy and it has everything needed for a normal webdesigner.

Since you are just starting i would suggest downloading a demo from PSP www.jasc.com (also called "trial") too see if you like it. Photoshop is more for the 'advanced' people and even i don't get a clue of it lol. still it's what you prefer, and what you want to use it for.

you can also purchase a version of PSP via Ebay, it's allot cheaper :)

it also depends on how fast your computer is, how many space you have left, etc.... you can like a super program, but if your computer get's so slow because of it then it's not a great deal to buy it.

Love,
Mirna

i need something easy enough for me to be able to understant to work it and that i can be able to make backgrounds in it plus im a beginner in these things and im not at all advanced so im thinking im ganna get paintshop pro 8. thanks bairn and MaGiCSuN for all your help! :)