But it doesn't take many later versions of Photoshop to start becoming more productive than using GIMP because of functionality it has that GIMP does not:
Adjustment layers were introduced in 4.0 (1996, GIMP didn't even exist yet)
Layer styles were introduced in 6.0 (2000)
Smart Filters were introduced in CS3 (2007)
They're all invaluable tools that provide a non-destructive workflow where you can go and edit a change you made without having to undo everything you did after that change and redoing things again.
If I had to use an ancient version of a program and have nothing but that program until the end of times, I would pick Photoshop CS3.
This entire class of functionality still does not exist in GIMP.
A lot of modern tools can be added to GIMP through the G'MIC plugins (like the healing tool), but the core editing loop functionality, what is in my opinion the most important thing, is extremely primitive and outdated. All of the competition provides non destructive editing. Including other open source software like Krita (which focuses more on painting tools rather than photo editing, leaving a hole in the open source ecosystem).
What has accomplished more work? Photoshop prior to 2013, or Gimp all time?
Lol we all know.
Why is Gimp the knee jerk reaction when its rarely used in the real world? Did we learn it in the 2000s and just keep repeating it? (I say this as a Krita fan)
The source code in the linked article is for Photoshop v1.0.1, published in 1990.
Though I don't think Gimp is as rarely used in the real world as you seem to think. We all live in different bubbles, but I know more people that use GIMP than Photoshop.
