computer question (geeks only apply)

[tuc biscuit]

What is a decent graphics software package? nothing too fancy, just basic stuff.

Also what specs are reasonable for a computer these days? not gonna be playing games on it, just one that provides fast service for general use.

Also what is a decent laptop in the mid-price range.

 

[WODIN]

http://www.pricewatch.com for prices

Photoshop and / or Jurasic Paint shope pro.

 

[ChefWide]

Photoshop is the Mothership.

What are you planning to output on? Print? Web? Video?

 

[digger]

Paint Shop Pro, bor. Sometimes Mrs. Digger asks me to do something for her in PSP because her Photoshop either doesn't have the feature or she can't make it work. Repeat after me: "Life is too short to learn Photoshop."

See if Microangelo is still around -- it's got some really nice tools for small stuff, icons, that sort of thing. It's the only proggy I've seen so far that is smart enough to let you pick up a tool to do a one-time task and then give back the previous tool when you finish. It's indescribably nifty not to have to go back and select the same tool over and over.

Hardware? Uh.... for a desktop, Athlon 1200 or better (should be nice and cheap because it's back from the bleeding edge quite a bit). 512MB or better in RAM. You'll almost certainly find adequate built-in sound and networking. The onboard video might even be "good enough."

Notebooks are the sort of thing you either love or hate, IMHO. Find a shop that will let you feel 'em up before you commit. They're ALWAYS heavier than you expect by the time you put one in a bag and try to take it somewhere.

 

[ChefWide]

Paint Shop Pro, bor. Sometimes Mrs. Digger asks me to do something for her in PSP because her Photoshop either doesn't have the feature or she can't make it work. Repeat after me: "Life is too short to learn Photoshop."

See if Microangelo is still around -- it's got some really nice tools for small stuff, icons, that sort of thing. It's the only proggy I've seen so far that is smart enough to let you pick up a tool to do a one-time task and then give back the previous tool when you finish. It's indescribably nifty not to have to go back and select the same tool over and over.

Hardware? Uh.... for a desktop, Athlon 1200 or better (should be nice and cheap because it's back from the bleeding edge quite a bit). 512MB or better in RAM. You'll almost certainly find adequate built-in sound and networking. The onboard video might even be "good enough."

Notebooks are the sort of thing you either love or hate, IMHO. Find a shop that will let you feel 'em up before you commit. They're ALWAYS heavier than you expect by the time you put one in a bag and try to take it somewhere.

I make wee 72dpi lovelies all day long, so I am comfortable with 75% of PS tools, and THAT is a shitload, I use Fireworks when size is a major concern but, obviously, 99% of my time is spent in Flash farming AS2/.NET apps.

Digger has the key to the city unless you are doing image retouching.