photo shop

[Guest avid]

I want to get a photo shop program but I'm concerned that the addition of such a large program will slow down my system.

On my old windows I could check "system resources" to see how much free space I had left.   how do i do that on XP and what would be the mimimum needed so as not to bog down the system.

thankx

[burleytog]

Start -> My Computer -> place pointer over C: (HDD is usually C).  Should have a small 'pop-up' under the pointer that will tell you how much free space you have.

Unless you bought a cheaper than dirt machine, you should have no worries about HDD space when installing a program.  That said, if you do not have a separate video card you might have trouble with a program or two.  Depends on what you're trying to do and what program you choose.

[Micro]

Avid, one of the best and most comprehensive image manipultation programs available happens to be free. It's called GIMP and it is as capable as Photoshop. In fact, I've taken Photoshop 7.0 off my system and installed GIMP. Gimps does everything Photoshop does.

I would download it, and use it. If you don't like it, you can uninstall it and you've lost nothing. If you like it, you may have saved several hunded dollars.

Browse the GIMP website. I think you'll be impressed. You will not find an image manipulation program as capable as GIMP for less than $650. It's every bit as capable as Photoshop CS3. And it's easier to use.

http://www.gimp.org/

Here is a review:

http://www.softpedia.com/reviews/linux/GIMP-Review-17619.shtml

[Guest avid]

Wow,

Thank you gentleman, I will listen to both of you.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

May I suggest you try demo versions.

I use microsoft picture it and fireworks multi media

Even the Fireworks starts to get too complicated for me.  The better programs can get very confusing and technical.  I was thinking of taking a class in one of the programs or one of those tutorial discs.

let me know what you go with.

[Guest avid]

total space = 74.4 gb's

free space = 58.5 gb's

You think that is enough?

I have a Dell dimension that's 4 years old.  It's a pretty robust system but alot of programs have been installed along the way.

I need this puppy to last at least another year...probably more, so I'm stepping lightly

[Guest avid]

May I suggest you try demo versions.

I use microsoft picture it and fireworks multi media

Even the Fireworks starts to get too complicated for me.  The better programs can get very confusing and technical.  I was thinking of taking a class in one of the programs or one of those tutorial discs.

let me know what you go with.

good point....

micro, are you a systems guy?

burley....I can't figure you out at all.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

total space = 74.4 gb's

free space = 58.5 gb's

You think that is enough?

More than enough space

You've used 16g in 4 yrs.  That's with your OS and all that on there too,....58g left.  PLENTY

[Micro]

total space = 74.4 gb's

free space = 58.5 gb's

You think that is enough?

I have a Dell dimension that's 4 years old. It's a pretty robust system but alot of programs have been installed along the way.

I need this puppy to last at least another year...probably more, so I'm stepping lightly

Like LBH said - Easy. More than enough room. I have an older system with less space than that and I've run GIMP, Photoshop and Paintshop Pro all at once.

[Glenn]

Yes, you'll have plenty of disk space.  It's RAM that you want to consider, as PS uses a lot of it.  Your system can probably handle it, though.  I JUST upgraded to a new computer, but was using a 4-yr old computer before that with CS 8.0, and had no problems whatsoever. It had 1GB of RAM.

As far as choosing which program - it all depends on what you're trying to accomplish.  I absolutely love Photoshop.  Anything else I've tried has fallen short.  But then again, I've been using it for 12 years, and am a power user, so I tend to push it hard.  I also love how it seamlessly integrates with other Adobe products.  But unless you're like me, you may be just fine with the others mentioned.

[Dean]

I use gimp also.  Mainly because it's free. I don't see a need to spend $600 some dollars on a pc program, unless you're going to go professional in that industry. Gimp works fine for me. If you practice with it, you'll eventually become very used to it. Plus, i've used photoshop in a videography class last year, and it's not a walk in the park. There are actual classes that teach about this program.

[KU_Bassmaster.]

Yes, you'll have plenty of disk space. It's RAM that you want to consider, as PS uses a lot of it. Your system can probably handle it, though. I JUST upgraded to a new computer, but was using a 4-yr old computer before that with CS 8.0, and had no problems whatsoever. It had 1GB of RAM.

As far as choosing which program - it all depends on what you're trying to accomplish. I absolutely love Photoshop. Anything else I've tried has fallen short. But then again, I've been using it for 12 years, and am a power user, so I tend to push it hard. I also love how it seamlessly integrates with other Adobe products. But unless you're like me, you may be just fine with the others mentioned.

BINGO!!!!!!!!

My system originally had 1 GB of RAM and I would say it ran Photoshop CS2 alright.  Some of the filters took a little longer than I liked so I upgraded to 2 GB.  I would say 1 GB is the absolute minimum regardless of what the box says (for CS2 anyway).

I have taken 4 Photoshop classes the past couple years and it's a pretty intimidating program at first.  Stick with it and you can get the basics down fairly quick and you'll find the layout is actually quite user friendly.  Now to master it, that will take years and years.  Even my profs that taught the classes said they were not "masters" with the program.  It's extensive!!!!!

Depending on what you want to do, you might be better off with a lesser program.

[Dan:]

avid, everything Glenn has said is correct. You have plenty of storage space, but that only matters in determining if you can install the program and still have room for other stuff. The program won't be more than a few GBs on the hard drive. The thing you need is RAM. Do you know how much RAM you have? You should be fine, but sometimes photoshop will slow down with applying filters, especially on high resolution images if you don't have enough RAM.

That being said, unless you are really going to start doing a lot of Photoshop work, I would just go with GIMP. It is NOT the same as Photoshop, there is a reason Photoshop costs hundreds of dollars. But if you just want to be a hobbyist and don't plan on doing any really serious work and don't want to spend a lot of money, go for GIMP. For the average user, it would be a good, free alternative.

[Guest avid]

total physical memory = 1,536 mb

available physical memory = 1.04 GB

total virtual memory = 2.00 GB

available virtual memory = 1.96 GB

I haven't a clue as to what this means, but I'm guessing it's good enough.

I want a photoshop program for silly photo editing, and fancifying ebay auctions

I have no professional need, nor do I intend to do anything that resembles effort.  I want simple.

[burleytog]

You do know that having a photo editing program won't make those things you call pictures look any better.  

[KU_Bassmaster.]

You do know that having a photo editing program won't make those things you call pictures look any better.

Of course they don't.  You can't fix perfect.

[Guest avid]

You do know that having a photo editing program won't make those things you call pictures look any better.  

Of course they don't.  You can't fix perfect.

At last!   Someone who appreciates true art.

But seriously......(did I say that)?  Y'all think my system has enough RAM?

[Micro]

But seriously......(did I say that)? Y'all think my system has enough RAM?

You're good, man.  You got more than enough umph.

[StatosDadRI]

Memory is dirt cheap right now been buying 2 gig 2-1 gig stick  for  $32.00

Any ne who has 512 meg or even 1 gig add some it could be $100.00  tomorrow, memory market is worse than gas.