Following this thread.
I've been using PS CS6 ever since it was launched! I love using it more than any other program. I've already tried Corel, Elements and Gimp, and as a preset maker I never understood quite well the way actions are done and played over Elements nor scripts in Corel... it was so much work loading brushes and getting things done using those programs. I say it's better to get a version of Photoshop even if it is Photoshop 7 which I used simultaneously along side PS CS4! Also out there are many more tutorials for PS than for Elements... or it was just me when learning how to use the other programs -I'm a self taught person so I youtube or read everything I can to learn and improve my skills!
But if you can't get an older version of Photoshop (you know, before the whole CC existed - I hate it, tbh!), get Corel, it can also open and edit EPS, which is hella cool because for Adobe you might need AI also.