Good alternative to Photoshop.

I've tried numerous photo editing programs in the last three weeks. Since I have a large collection of photos (about 16000) on my PC, got so far only very few really hereby cope.
Now my first experience with the program: Corel Connect and CorelPHOTO Paint.
First of all: Without the manual, the layman will be lost!

Corel Connect:
Where other programs only to build databases and hours (the longest building a database for my photos took about 20 hours) need to build Corel Connect the photos at once in the desired folder structure. Like the Explorer, just better for photos.
Here can be hidden in a button folder, bitmaps, fonts. Very practical.
Not only folders are involved here but also Flickr, Fotolia and iStockphoto are included.
For direct opening stand Buttos for CorelDraw, Paint and CorelPHOTO file location available.
I can sit in a tray different photos I can then open it together, or open individually.

CorelPHOTO Paint:
The application window is simple and well structured. Links are "tools" for the simple edit an image needed. Right of the screen color palette, below the status bar and classic above the "normal" menu and the property bar.
Who has worked with Adobe Photoshop, can change the user interface on the Adobe Design! Generally, I can adapt my surface under Options to my needs. Very well done!
Editing an image in the Broad such as cropping, red eye removal, cloning or retouching capture colors, images with the "lasso" is quite simple. Only some of the menus have multiple functions due to the many functions.
The lasso function also has a "Magnetic Lasso" to offer, this recognizes Corel Colour variations in the image and thus captures objects or the like.
After a short introduction, the standard valve functions well.
Create additional features such as movie and internet functions are also available.

My first conclusion:
Those looking for a complex photo-editing program, a quick image search for its PC needs and also the 'classical' part as the illustrations, layouts, vectorization or web graphics used even begin to want to be served best with the X5 Suite and needs to 'small' not to make an additional charge to Adobe. A good alternative.
There is also an on Corel.com/de trial. Orders try !!! It is worth it.