I was disappointed that you did not mention the free program Picasa 2.1 from Google in your review of image editing software (PCW, December 2005). It leaves untouched your original photo, whilst storing the enhancements in a separate file. It performs a good range of quick fix operations with some control. It will, with the push of a button, make a gift CD, email photos, print or order prints via the web or even add them to your blog or make a collage.

It is also a splendid storage album with every file and folder indexed in date order. I attended 2 courses on Photoshop Elements 2 at the local college and bought a copy. This will handle far more tasks but is much slower for quick fixes. Try straightening a print by guessing how many degrees it leans. I resent the way it monopolises the screen whilst it starts up and it's need to contact Adobe every week via the web. When Photoshop Elements 3 came out shortly afterwards, I tried it for a month from your cover disc and found a worse browser with few useful improvements. If I had wanted to upgrade, Adobe made a tiny allowance for a limited period.

Now Photoshop Elements 4 has arrived and is the Editor's Choice. I hope they have fixed the browser. If it had been on your cover disc I would have wanted to try it. As it is I will stick to Photoshop Elements 2 & Picasa 2.1.

Charles King-Smith