In Usenet, we had one guy that used Gimp, and his work showed it was appropriately named. I think it was more his don't give a damn attitude or what, but it always looked like he'd shopped it: poorly..
A couple used Photoshop, and I tried it. It was like driving a Chrysler Land Yacht after emissions regulations were passed.
Paint shop pro had a ton of usable features that I, well, used.