Well, unfortunately, my time at my high school is over and that means I have to revoke my Photoshop CS5 serial number and find something new.

So are there any good programs out there that are free and can even come close to Photoshop's prowess? I know that GIMP is probably my best bet, but I'd like to find some others.

or just find a license online for free

First off, that's illegal.

Second, if I do that I risk losing any chance of getting a good job in my field. I have to stand up to a three hour polygraph test where they ask me about illegal and immoral activity in my past, a dozen different ways.

This post was edited by KratosGOW on Aug 26 2012 07:37am

What's your field?

If someone asked me if i have conducted any illegal activity i think "pirating" software would be the last thing I'd think of.

I wouldn't bother using anything else besides PS.

This post was edited by lithfkn on Aug 26 2012 07:43am

oh wow, nvm then.

Well just go with GIMP

Digital Forensics. I will be dealing with extremely personal and sensitive information recovered or discovered on a multitude of platforms and they, those hiring me, have to be sure that I am a morally sound individual who will not use that information for personal gain or with malicious intent. Also, they won't just ask about illegal activity. They ask specifically about pirating.

I may just break down and buy Photoshop, with my student discount it's around $250.

This post was edited by KratosGOW on Aug 26 2012 07:57am

interesting that someone would hire you for that position straight out of high school. if you need it just go buy it... after all it is a tool for your job and will pay itself off quickly in the long run.

but hell i really doubt the quoted is true. i think either the company is severely brain damaged for hiring a child or you need to grow up and see that if you need tools for work you must purchase them.'

also i would of thought that a digital forensics company would of provided you with such basic tools and software such as photoshop... after all it isnt that much for a company license.

Before questioning the validity of my statements you should first read them. I never said I had a job yet, nor did I say I had any intention to steal anything. Also, Photoshop is not a tool for my job, photography is a hobby. For the most part, Photoshop has absolutely nothing to due with digital forensics.

Please don't derail my thread from the original question. I didn't ask for you to belittle me, I simply asked for suggestions on a program to replace Photoshop.

i see.. reading your posts in sequence made me assume that you already had the job simply because you claimed digital forensics as "your field," while what i have just read destroyed that assumption it entitled a new one to take its place.

anyways google can solve this but ill limit your searches to a minimum by saying there are no good free replacements and if you want a mediocre one you can have a hack at GIMP or paint.net.

This post was edited by AbDuCt on Aug 26 2012 12:03pm

Downloading a shared file with a provided serial isn't illegal. Its the uploading and sharing that is illegal.