Ive just started digital scrapbooking, I have heaps of the traditional way, and I was looking at those programs.

I came across a fantastic program called "Digital Scrapbook Artist 2" by Serif distributed by Manaccom. There is a free version on the web if you google without the 2 it comes up about fourth down the list. I have the full paid version and it allows you to import all your finds into the program and then you can manipulate them (even if you didnt create them originally), it also has a photo manipulation prgram where you can crop things out, change tones etc, and its much more easier to operate then GIMP to do so. You can export to a pdf or any of the other major picture file types. Its by far the most versitile program I have come across yet to do everything I want and more.

The only draw back is every so often it does crash, just the program, however that could just be my hard drive on its last second legs .

I got the full version from Harvey Norman and it cost less than the other programs I was looking at including the creative memories storybook. At the moment I couldnt recommend it enough as a great first starting program. Its very straight forward to use