The GIMP, but it's rather large, but there are plenty of little freeware image editors... Just google it.
http://www.download.com/Paint-NET/3000-2192_4-10338147.html?tag=lst-0-4 Though I recommend just downloading Photoshop...much snazzier than Paint.NET.
I stick to FTP's, though I just grabbed a copy of Sonar 4 off Limewire. He probably just wants freeware so he doesn't have to download a 50 MB copy of CS. *lol*
Mmm, if you're ever in need of the bootleggin' skills, you're in good company here. BTW, dig the sigs.
You'll get used to it pretty quick, and there are tutorials all over the net if you feel like doing that. Come with pretty useful help files and such though.