Digital questions - PLEASE HELP!

[themom3x]

I got my first digital camera last Christmas(easy to use Canon Powershot A85)and have only printed pics at Costco, (and haven't even put any pics on CDs because our old computer wouldn't work!). We recently got a new HP computer and I begged my DH for a photo printer. He got me the Canon PixmaMP500 scanner/printer. Now I'm a nervous wreck because I feel overwhelmed at all the possibilities(have never used a scanner or edited my own photos)! My goal is to edit and print my own photos at home, but I don't know which programs are the best/easiest to use. I have 3 kids and work full-time as a teacher(not much time to learn new things). If I don't use the stuff my DH got me he will be furious(as will I for not knowing how to use them), but I need a program that isn't too hard to learn. I've heard that there's quite a learning curve on the Adobe PS programs. I also know there's a free Picasa program available online. Anyway, I just need some advice so I can get something that will be basic enough for a digital newbie but still help me to do some cool stuff with the goodies my DH was kind enough to get for me.TIA
Tess

[Lauren]

I would recommend something like Digital Image Pro by Microsoft as a nice easy programme to start with - Its fairly user friendly and has some nice options for photo manipulation.
Adobe Photoshop Elements 4 would be the other option - it has more than enough to keep you occupied learning but the learning curve is reasonably shallow - We have lots of tutorials here at DSP for both programmes - and the others like Paint Shop Pro