best software for post processing noob

[ExtraSlow]

Looking for suggestions for what software to use for post processing my photos, both in JPG and RAW (NEF) formats.
GIMP? Photoshop? Photoshop Elements?

I'm just doing this as a part-time hobby, so I don't want something that's insanely hard to learn.

[Xaroxantu Zero]

Paint.NET could also be a good alternative, or Ulead PhotoImpact if you want it to be real easy.

[mboldt]

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2.0

Absolutely amazing software, definitely worth the $250 or whatever... It's killer.

I have recommended it to a lot of hobbyists and I have friends that are high end professionals that I've convinced to switch over to it... DEFINITELY check it out.

[Bukka]

I afree with mboldt. Lightroom is a fantastic program. I do every bit of my editing from that software. I use photoshop simply for resize and sharpen.

[Mitsu3000gt]

I find Capture NX 2.0 to be the easiest program to make fast, significant, and effective changes to lighting, WB, exposure, etc. The control points are amazing for this.

Photoshop CS3 or light room for everything else, and you can get control point plugins for photoshop.

[ExtraSlow]

Just downloaded lightroom, I'll test it out over the weekend.

[ThE tV 8 mE]

what about picasa? It's a free download from google, SUPER easy to use and very user friendly. Did I mention its free?