i need your advice, oh dear flist o'mine

hi guys!

*waves*

i want to buy photoshop, or a similiar software, and i am overwhelmed by how many choices there are.

what do you guys prefer/recommend?

i don't want to spend too much, looking in the $100-150 range. i also see there are some free things too, like google picasso. oh, annd nothing that's too complicated.

photoshop elements 7 seems to be getting the best reviews on amazon.....

thanks!!!