Well, I think I bought my first one at Best Buy or Circuit City. The FIRST, actually, was more like training wheels for PhotoImpactPro, which I've been using for about 5 years. I started out with Photo Explosion I, then a more advanced Photo Explosion (II maybe), and then graduated to PhotoImpactPro Version 10. (They are all by Nova Exploration/ULead.) THE DIFFERENCE IS LIKE NIGHT AND DAY! And like you, I wasn't about to pay $600 or more for PhotoShop!
I never learned to use PSP. I have a very, very old PSP (Version 4 I think, if you can believe!) that I continue to install each time I get a new computer, because it's the only one besides YUK! Windows PAINT! that I can use to edit animations for Gif Construction Set.
PSP is up to 12 (I’ve had them all) and 9 is still my favorite.
PIP sounds good! The filters look cool. I’m going to look into it more. Thanks again.