Graphics editors:

Here are a few of the more popular graphics editors.  I've used a few of these and they all seem to have their own strengths and weaknesses.   For a true graphics creation tool I use Paint Shop Pro version 7, but if your only goal is to resize, crop and put text on a picture many of these are easy to use.

This is my favorite graphics editor but it is definitely not for the novice.  Very high learning curve unless you're familiar with other graphics programs, free trial, $99 to buy, watch for specials, they have them often.

IrfanView

This is a great editor, easy to use and FREE.

EasyPeg

Easy to use, has auto thumbnail and image gallery capabilities, FREE

PhotoPlus 5.5

PhotoPlus is a fully featured free graphics editor that offers you all the basic functions and more. You can use it to create new images or animations from scratch or edit existing ones, using a variety of brushes and available shapes.  FREE

Ultimate Paint

Full-featured graphics program for image creation, retouching, viewing and manipulation.  I had to download it and checked it out, 3 hours later I was still playing with it.  Like Paint on steroids.  Free trial, $39 after 30 days.

3 D Text Maker

Easy online 3 D Text. FREE

GIF WORKS

GIF WORKS has been around for as long as I can remember.  Great online tool to edit images in GIF format.  FREE

MyImager.com

Nice online image editor, lots of functionality.