best open source software to replace Adobe CS?

hey guys, I have a decent design project coming up. I have taken over the responsibility of producing the Atlanta Region SCCA newsletter. I am familiar with Adobe through school, and I know how to use it, but I cannot afford it. What open source software should I use to produce a regional publication.

Others have suggested Scribus and OpenOffice...any good? How user friendly?

all of the past issues are listed on the website ARSCCA. and I am looking to jazz that up a little. Unfortunately I went to school as a copywriter, and not a designer, but I figured I would try to help out some fellow car people. ARSCCA is a great group of people. (nobody can be as cool as Detroit Region though)

www.openoffice.org (excellent, excellent software)

and

www.gimp.org (can be made to mirror photoshop) and/or www.paint.net (pretty cool, but not as powerful)

Oh, I should have said this. If I were to have CS, I would primarily use InDesign with a little bit of Photoshop mixed in.

Dl openoffice and check-out "Draw" and "Impress"

I used to use open office a few years ago and it made me want to punch babies. Hopefully it has improved since then.

93gsxturbo wrote: I used to use open office a few years ago and it made me want to punch babies. Hopefully it has improved since then.

It has improved greatly. Out of curiosity... when you punch a baby do you go for a body blow, head shot or just knock the soft-spot in?

Jump on ebay and buy an older version for cheap -they're up to CS4 now and earlier versions would do the job you need just fine.

yeah, but the question is, will they come with the right registration number?