hey GDNet, what i want to do is start editing photos just to mess around and ahve fun, but i also want to be able to learn something about photo editing and so for that i need a good quality photo editor. the big thing is that i want it to be FREE since i will just be messing around and "experimenting". i really like photoshop but it is not free. so does anyone have some good recommedations on a FREE photo editor similar to adobe photoshop or maybe at least a lengthy(30-day) trial for a good photo editor? thanks gdnet, any questions just ask. THANKS AGAIN

Not sure why you are asking here but:
Paint.Net
Gimp

Both are free and should be more then enough for what you want to use it for.

not sure why i am asking in "for beginners" section? or why i am asking on GDNet? if this isnt really the appropriate section then maybe a mod could move it. i just didnt know which section this would be appropiate for so i just put in here. im sorry if this is the incorrect place to put it...

If you are coming from Photoshop then Gimpshop might be a better alternative.