Avatar Making

I would like to start making an avatar for myself, so I would like to know which programs are good for making some. If anyone can give me the name of some programs I would like that.

Photoshop CS....really top notch...im just learning but thats what i made mine in.
Jasc Paint Shop Pro...more of a budget product...you can pick it up for about 99$ at compusa.
Bryce 5...some cd work going on.
GIMP...free and is as powerful as Photoshop...but i think its only for *nix systems.

You should be fine with Jasc Paint Shop Pro 8.

Thanks dreamlandmafia I will look into Paint Shop Pro.

I have no money! Can anyone suggest a more free alternative to paint shop for making avatars?

Macromedia Fireworks is also a great program to make avatars.

Ps. If you dont want to pay for the program, you can always donwload it from the developpers website, where you can download the trial version.

Or the illegal way *cough**cough*

Yeh I think I will have to Kazaa it. Cheers guys.