[Quiet Man Cometh]

Hey hey. I'm going through a design course right now and I'm looking into image editing and graphics software in general, preferably free or dirt cheap as I'm poor right now. I've heard of programs like GIMP, Inkscape, Flare, Photoshop Elements, etc. but haven't used them. I've been messing with open office but find their drawing program awkward beyond the most basic things like resizing images and changing angles. I'm not usually making graphics as much as editing what I'm given but I like to be able to make my own stuff if needed.

I'll need to be digging up some layout software as well. I'm using MS Publisher right now and plan to look into InDesign.

Has anyone used such programs or have any recommendations to make for either type? If I could afford it I'd have both Photoshop and Illustrator but those are far away dreams right now. This is for school right now but I might need to be looking into some professional stuff in the future.