I get most of my clients - a very non-tech IE6 type crowd - into Corel’s Paint Shop Pro because it’s under $100, which appeals to them, there’s a free trial download, and it offers a lot of basic cleanup features for their dreadful scans (where half the scanner bed is in the photo). Also, it’s simple enough I can talk them through using features over the telephone, or in my sleep, which is a major perk.

So many people have different digital cameras that come with their own whacked “editing” software, I got tired of having to bone up on every weak and sad alternative to Photoshop they might have. PSP put them all on the same playing field on the cheap.

The downside is they can also create an assortment of godawful effects and cheesy photo borders. I avoid ever discussing those features, if possible.