I think you will find the new text tool will work in any version from Gimp 2.8 on to higher versions. It has been completely revamped from previous versions.

Yes it does - finally making some progress. Thank you that video was brilliant.

Welcome aboard, Bredies. I'm a Mac user too.

Welcome to Gimp Chat.

Thanks Erisian and Hatter for the warm welcome.
Learning slowly but still not figured it all out yet.
The good news is I am going forward.
Current problem is to get the text in the right layer. Every time I try to move what I think is the text layer the main image moves and the text stays where it is.
Onwards and upwards on a Sunday.

the text is always on its own self created layer
the move tool moves the text (at least in 2.8, it was different in 2.6)

you have to make sure the text layer is active, if it isnt, click on the text layer in your layers tab
also make sure the move tool is set to 'move the active layer'
if it is, it doesnt matter where you click the text layer

Thanks Esper - another penny dropped andI will be able to complete my first very basic attempt tomorrow.

When you click the text tool, did you click the little green button below where it says move the active layer. If you click the top one, it moves the whole layer.

I'll second that...if you have problems with GIMP on OS X 10.8.2 theres enough of us here to give you some help!! if you have used GIMP previously on a mac you will find that this version of parthas is al ittle different in that it is a native version so you dont need X11 to operate along side it...and the preferences are in the place you would expect for any native mac program. Adding brushes and gradients etc is slightly different as well but we are here to help each other so dont worry about calling out.

welcome to all from New Zealand. I love that place

to gimp chat, bredies! We all did a lot of head banging and hair tearing when we first started with gimp. It's part of the gimp ritual.