I know this is probably pretty heretical (I will love GIMP forever--I promise!) but I came across Pixeluvo image editor and it had some nice features GIMP doesn't. I got the trial version but am hesitating to buy it because the Pixeluvo forum seems dead (I couldn't even register for it) and when I emailed the "contact" on the website I didn't hear back.

I've been able to do a lot with the trial version but for instance (if anyone happens to know please tell me!) I couldn't put a gradient into text, which of course is easy to do in GIMP.

I just dread not having a place like GIMP Chat to ask questions.

Anyway, think it's worth a shot? I think it's $37. (I'm sure the developer is interested enough to take my money. I hope he is!) Thanks.