Problem: Article: Despite the weird name, GIMP (which stands for GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a widely-used and popular alternative to Photoshop. Though it's not quite as slick as its retail counterpart, GIMP can produce most of the same effects, and has another significant advantage in that it's completely free. GIMP isn't easy to learn. Aside from basic functions, expect to spend a significant chunk of time learning how to work with the program's tools. The upside is that the program is very powerful no other free program comes close to the level of manipulation GIMP offers. GIMP is the best free choice if you'd like to make significant alterations to images, such as adding or deleting objects, drastically altering the appearance of a person, or adding realistic special effects. It's also the best choice for fine detail work, such as altering the properties of individual flower petals in a garden scene. GIMP offers a thriving library of plugins written specifically for the program, which add textures, effects, and just about anything else imaginable. Like GIMP itself, these plugins are typically free. In addition, GIMP even has a plugin, the PSPI plugin, that allows it to handle Photoshop plugins, effectively giving it an even larger plugin library than Photoshop itself. GIMP can be downloaded safely from the official GIMP website. Paint.NET is an old program originally designed to rival Microsoft Paint. It's been kept alive and continuously developed by a devoted community of enthusiasts, and these days, the program has a surprising number of photo editing features. Paint.net is a more user-friendly (albeit less feature-rich) alternative to GIMP. Paint.NET is a popular choice for many people over GIMP, because it provides most of the tools that non-professional image creators are likely to use, without any of the clutter or confusion of having extra options. It is able to apply filters, handle layers, and more, all with a fairly intuitive interface. Paint.NET is moderately capable of handling advanced image manipulation (the type seen in many "Photoshop contests" around the web), but the results will generally look amateurish compared to GIMP's results. Paint.NET can be downloaded safely from the official website. Somewhere between Paint.NET and GIMP in terms of functionality, Photo Pos Pro was once a pay-to-use program, and it shows. Since being released as freeware, it's become a popular choice for people who want a full suite of effects without the hassle of learning to use GIMP. The program features blurring, sharpening, noise control, red eye reduction, and all the other effects you need (even layers!) to give your images just the right look. It's also surprisingly easy to use. Photo Pos Pro's installer is fairly innocuous, but it will try to set your homepage to a website called MyStart, which is known for an irritating (though not directly dangerous) add-on called the MyStart Incredibar that can be difficult to remove once installed. Be sure to disallow changing your homepage, as well as the installation of any software other than the program itself. Photo Pos Pro can be downloaded safely from CNet's direct download link. Clicking this link will automatically start the download once the page has loaded, but it avoids CNet's pointless custom installation software. If you absolutely must have a copy of Adobe Photoshop and are unwilling to pay for the privilege, there are ways to acquire it without paying. You'll likely have to settle for an older iteration of the program than the current version, but even slightly dated copies of Photoshop are unbeatably powerful compared to other software. The most reliable way to pirate Photoshop is by torrenting. To torrent Photoshop, you'll need to find a torrent of the copy you want (which should be as easy as a Google search), and then download the torrent file and open it with a special program that reads it, such as BitTorrent. Downloading a copy of the software isn't enough to unlock it. You'll also need a license. The simplest way to get a license is to run a "crack" program that will generate a fake license code that fools the program into thinking you're a legitimate user. If you can, try to download the crack along with the program itself, as a single package; finding cracks separately is a dangerous and difficult procedure. Although many people agree that Photoshop is overpriced, that doesn't justify stealing the software in and of itself. Be aware that you could get in trouble for pirating it.
Summary: Download GIMP. Try using Paint.NET. Give Photo Pos Pro a whirl. Pirate Photoshop.

Problem: Article: Before you begin, grab your loaf pan and line the bottoms and sides with butter. Then, sprinkle with a light coating of flour. This will guarantee that it comes out easily when done. The other option is parchment paper, which you can cut to size and insert in the bottom of the pan. Hopefully your butter is at about room temperature, or else it will be a bit difficult to combine. It's very important to do this until the mixture is creamy, thick, and fluffy -- and not beyond this point. You'll know when you hit it. Using an electric mixer on high will keep your forearms from cursing the day you volunteered for dessert duty. Mix well after each egg gets dropped in (about 15 seconds) before you add another. Then move onto the vanilla and salt. At this point, you can add your lemon/orange zest or other additions. Dried fruits, nuts, and chocolate chips all have their place with this dessert. But it's delicious plain, too! If you dump 'er all in, either your muscles or your mixer will put up a fight. If you are using the mixer, keep it on the low setting. Some schools of thought swear by sifting. If you've the time to spare, consider sifting your flour before adding it in. Don't overbeat it! Once the batter looks finished, stop. You don't want it to lose any of its buoyancy. Or, of course, until it's finished. Insert a toothpick to the middle to see if it is -- if it comes out clean, you're clear for take off. Take it out of the oven and let it cool in the pan for 15 minutes or so. If you find that it's browning too quickly in the oven, you can put a tent of aluminum foil over it to slow the process down. It'll drop out when ready. When preparing to serve it, consider topping with additional goodies. Though great with a simple cup of coffee, it's also great with fruit, whipped cream, and whatever your little heart desires. The pound cake can accommodate most all sweet flavors. A light dusting of powdered sugar is fairly standard, too. Sometimes something simple is more classic!
Summary:
Preheat your oven to 350F (175C). Cream together the butter and sugar. Add eggs (one at a time), vanilla, and salt to your butter-sugar mixture. Gradually add in the flour bit by bit. Bake for 1 hour. Let cool inverted on a wire rack. Finished.