Additional, simplified GIMP interface mode
Operating System: Windows especially, the default operating system for most non-professionals
At the moment there is really no free graphics program that's simple to use for ordinary people, and actually good. I think GIMP is currently reliable enough to become that program. I'm thinking of something we could call GIMP Light - something similar to Photoshop Elements.
If you're an ordinary user and want to create a simple graphic, what's currently available to you? Photoshop Elements is really quite alright, but $100 is a bit much to someone who's not a graphic designer by profession, especially if you live in a less affluent country. Then there's GIMP, a good free program no doubt, but the steep learning curve puts a lot people off. (Now of course there's also PS Express, but the only thing you can do in it is touch up your photographs, and yet despite its very limited functionality it has managed to gain considerable popularity).
Think about it this way: if any version of Photoshop suddenly became available for free, how popular would it be? GIMP Light could be that program.
God bless from Krakow!