Gimp? I might consider it again as and when it's gifted a user interface that mere mortals rather than the gods of image processing can understand, but until then it's banished to the outer darknesses along with all other programs that are either user-hostile or way more advanced than I actually need to use. Or that I'm just jot interested in.
As for the Windows/Linux thing, I use Linux because it causes me way less grief than Windows, and personally I also find it easier to use (I have to use Windows at work, so I do have current exposure to both OS's). (shrugs) Your mileage may vary. Use whatever floats your boat. Having used both, though, I don't understand why anyone'd WANT to use Windows, but I'm not going to heckle someone for doing so.