I am getting confused about adobe Photoshop

I have a requirement for a photo editing program, to do basic editing of digital pictures
What does Everone else use ? it is any good ? what's the approx price.

I have had a quick look on evil bay and have come up with Adobe Photoshop / Adobe light room
the only problem is then you can get then in extended version / student version / full version
cs3/cs4 - so what is the difference between them as prices are from $200 to $800+

Student version is only available to students (and is a lot cheaper. Light room is a very watered down version of Photoshop. Exteded version allows more professional file handling and integrates with other CS4 software (as do they all, but I'm thinking it woudl come with version cue and image ready which are mostly for use in the industry) CS4 is the latest and greatest version and is industry standard for photomanipulation

I am a big proponent of Photoshop and illustrator- I'm largely Self taught but have managed to work myself into a lead Design role through my expertise. They can take a while to get a handle on but are invaluble in my line of work (both Video and design based)

If you are just playing around for your own person pleasure I'd suggest having a look at somthign like GIMP which is freely downloadable and does most of the things photshop does (within reason)

well i have a dodgy version of photoshop from couple years back, and i rekon its the shit hey! you can do nearly anything, its kinda user freindly too, not sure about the newer versions tho. Pretty sure they stayed resonably same!

Yeah theres a lot similairty thru the versions. Each one builds on the last tho, the later CS versions are pretty damn impressive. I forgot to mention that it woudl be worth doign a search for a cracked older version.. theres a lot floating around on the web if your PC based. I use mac exclusivley at home and theres not nearly as much freebie stuff around. As Zmit would know, however, I get that warm fuzzy feelign of satisfaction that only comes from using a superior piece of equipment (as far as design and video go at any rate)..

i may have a current version of photoshop you can have dude

i use CS3, its the shit bra, its widely uhh "available" if you know where to look

I'm running CS3, used to use CS2, quite fun to play with.

this.
its easy as to use.
i've been using for a year or so now...
can't get better for FREE!!!!

CS3 is good if on a good powered PC... CS2 is good for anything else.
I used to love using it, then I got my Diploma and now I cant be bothered lol.