The Ck fonts are not free on the web, and many of the fonts in the program, I have not found at the two free font sites I visit. The fonts in the program that I did not already have were not near 1200, but still alot of fonts (some I have not installed yet) The program comes with a font installer to help with installing the fonts and allows you to see samples of the fonts. It comes with lots of clipart, backgrounds, and templates that can be easily used. I can add drop shadows and other effects to pictures and elements from kits. The program really is much more versatile than people who have never used it, realize.

thanks dlgoodman and shadow! I really appreciate your input I think I can feel comfortable recommending this software for true beginners interested in digiscrapping. Thanks so much for all the comments. If anyone else has something to throw in, I would still love to hear what you have to say.

Yes... it is good for true beginners and those that will most likely not grow much beyond what the software offers. However, I still would like to recommend that you reconsider and encourage them to use a program like Paint Shop Pro or Elements. The reasons are simple: - tutorials abound on this page and the rest of the web
- they can go to a bookstore and buy a book to learn how to use the program
- they can buy videos to help them learn
- they will be learning how to use a "real" software package and will then be able to grow within the software to do advanced things (filters, brushes, scripting, etc)

Anyway.. just my thoughts..

Thanks--I agree with you totally, but I can assure you that the people in question will not do the tutorials or buy videos to watch. Believe me. If I thought for a second that would be a possibility, I would not bother looking into these basic programs. They just don't even have the desire to learn to use something like PSP of elements. I think that MAYBE if they get comfortable enough using a program like the CK one, then and only then might they be willing to check out something with more flexibility.

But again, I agree 100% that PSP/elements is a better way to go but I just don't think so in this particular case. My mother in law especially just wants to drop some pics on a ready made page and print. Period. My sister-in law on the other hand--maybe she could be convinced. Dont' know how interested she really is in digi-scrapping though. She is really into her paper scrapping (which is great for her). But I know many out there have either been converted or happily do both. We'll see.

Ok.. that's great for your mom then.. Thx.