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I've never used Photoshop, so I can't answer that half of the question.

It's been a bit tricky to learn how to use GIMP, but I've been fairly happy with it. (Less so with the user manual—googling my questions is usually more productive.) I don't know if I'd be having an easier time or a harder one if I'd started out used to Photoshop—I've been learning image manipulation at the same time as learning how the program works.

It's been fairly easy to use for the things I've done so far—I found the paint and color balance options fairly intuitive, as well as the layers. I've struggled a bit with text, but I don't really know what I'm doing on that front to begin with, so I don't think it's fair to blame the program.

I'm sorry I don't have a more helpful answer for you.