GIMP and GIMPshop

For nerds and ordinary users alike or maybe even for folks just wanting to try it.

I've just downloaded the latest stable GIMP version (for Windows) and GIMPshop.

What are the pros and cons compared to Photoshop? (Legal and freeeeee! versus $649 for a licensed full version of PS CS2 is the obvious difference)

Only problem I've found so far is GIMP doesn't like it if a Flash card reader is plugged in without a card as it constantly nags about 'No disc in drive' Very irritating, although it doesn't stop the program from running, you have to keep clicking through. Simply unplugging the card reader or inserting a spare card resolves the problem.

I also downloaded UFRaw which allows me to directly view my Canon .cwr raw files complete with exif data intact so I can finally ditch the awfull Canon Zoom Browser (Good cameras - abysmal software!)

This is another step along the way for me going 'nix so all usefull comments (good and bad) are welcome