I've never used or seen paint shop so I can't really compare them. It took me a while to learn photoshop and it is really advanced, but I don't think you can do as much with paint shop.
It depends what you want to do. Photoshop is definitly the most widely used program out there so if you get any good or you actually enjoy using it and want some kind of job out of it, then it's the way to go. Otherwise if it's just for personal use then I would go with GIMP. Photoshop can get pricey, but you can also get a student discount from www.journeyed.com. The best place to get software when you're a student.
Go with Photoshop CS2, its more reliable and powerful than Paint Shop Pro. What I did to compare the two was get both and see the difference for myself, go get demos and try them both out.
I have been reading a few tutorials. I made a few pics that I like so far. They definitley arent good compared you yours, but for what I want to use it for, Im happy with my work. Plus its a lot of fun.
I have been reading a few tutorials. I made a few pics that I like so far. They definitley arent good compared you yours, but for what I want to use it for, Im happy with my work. Plus its a lot of fun.