GIMP

Most (if not all) GNU/Linux distributions will support GIMP through their package management systems and may even come with GIMP preinstalled. You can follow links to GNU/Linux and UNIX, Microsoft Windows and Apple Mac OS X for the latest binaries. Of course, this is free software so the source code is available to, along with instruction on how to compile it.

Not really. It doesn't use the GNOME application framework. The only thing it has in common is GTK+. GIMP can optionally use gnome-vfs, allowing you to load and edit images from remote servers.

The GNU Image Manipulation Program, or GIMP, is a raster graphics editor application with some support for vector graphics.GIMP is used to process digital graphics and photographs. Typical uses include creating graphics and logos, resizing and cropping photos, altering colors, combining multiple images, removing unwanted image features.

Yes. It's available on Windows and uses TWAIN, and on GNU/Linux you even have a choice between XSane and gnome-scan — both can be used as GIMP plug-ins.

Yes.

In either the system-wide gimprc file or your personal gimprc file, uncomment the line that includes install-colormap.

GIMP can be used to:

* create layouts for websites,

* to generate pictures and enhance existing images,

* and everything else that has to do with 2D (bitmap based) graphics.