One computer, several photo-editing programs?

I have a teenager who uses our main PC, and he likes to do effects with graphics. He has been using Gimp 2, but one of his friends recommended Photoplus6. Since the computer in question was a bit temperamental this morning, I told him I would like to give it a couple of days of stability plus as some questions before I go ahead installing more stuff.

It's a Windows XP Media Center Edition, HP, nearly 3 years old now. It came with HP Image Zone already installed. I have installed and used Paint Shop Pro X, since it does more than HP Image Zone. Then there is Gimp 2.

So would there be any harm in having yet another photo editing software on that computer? And possibility of conflicts?

When I go into a folder and click on a .jpg or .gif to open it, the Windows software is what opens it, and that is the way I would like to keep it.

BTW, I am using a Lenovo thinkpad with Windows XP pro. It came with Picassa2 and I installed Gimp2, but I don't do much with photo's on the laptop. I probably would do more if Picassa had more features and if Gimp2 wasn't so hard to figure out. So if Photoplus6 wouldn't create any problems or conflicts with other programs on the PC, I might consider it on the laptop as well.

So...is it OK to have several photo-editing programs installed on the same PC?

Thanks!

P.S. Am encouraging teenager to save his $ and get his own laptop! :-D

 

OK, thanks Mark!

 

Another editing program won't create any system problems (conflicts), but when installing it, don't allow the files you want to open with the Windows software to be associated with the new software.
(Usually you are given that choice)
Your son will still be able to open any photos from within the new software.
I use PhotoFiltre 6.3.1 and XnView 1.95 as a team.
Neither are as complicated as Gimp 2 and do a pretty decent job of editing photos.

 

Thanks, Musksnipe. I'll make a note of that, re the programs you mentioned.