lesv Loc: warren pa

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0B1opHnddEU i found this youtube explains it better than i can but its just like picnik

Dun1 Loc: Atlanta, GA

I have no experience with Pin Nik so I can't comment with any great knowledge. I do use Lightroom, in conjunction with Photoshop PS 5 daily. There are so may tutorials and how too not only on the Adobe website, but You Tube that will help you.
You mentioned shutting down, and did not mention how much RAM is on your machine, whether it be a PC (Windows) or Mac the biggest thing you can do to improve your time spent in editing or processing is buying as much RAM as you can get into your machine, it sure cuts down on the time spent watching the hour glass, on in the case of a Mac that cute spinning beach ball.
The software you use depends on how deeply you wish to edit your images or photos. If you want to crop, lighten, etc or perform simple tasks Picasa or some of lighter free versions of photo editors will work fine. As you progress or move up the "Photo food chain" so to speak you will or should have a desire to not only take better photos, but edit or post process them to make them better.

esqtree Loc: Topeka

I have read that shutting down Picnik is Goolgle's way of forcing people to use Google+. I believe there is a way that you can still utilize Picnik through Google+.

Bamagirl Loc: Alabama

I'm in the same boat with you. Picnik was so easy and offered so many tools, simply! A long time ago, I used Adobe Photoshop Elements (7). I never "got it". When I found Picnik, that disk got left behind. When Picnik announced closing, it seemed I was going to have to get something similar to that, though, because that is generally what is out there. I chose Corel Paint Shop Pro X4. If found it by googling: 2012 best photo editing software. I have downloaded it and it is very similar to the Adobe Photoshop Elements that I was familiar with, but not good at using. I've been reading up on it and getting instructions from Corel's website in words and in video (there and on youtube). I'm a visual learner, so the videos have been most helpful. On youtube, search for Corelpaintshoppro and you will get the best videos that I have found. It's not simple. I, like you, hope that Picnik is replaced by something similar. I have tried Google+ which is recommended, and it was quickly off my list. Best of luck and let me know if you find a Picnik clone!

Bamagirl Loc: Alabama

Google+ looks a little like Picnik, with less than half of the features. Nope, that's not going to work.

MtnMan Loc: ID

If you'd like to learn how to use Elements I recommend Kelby and Klowkoski's book. I was frustrated for three months and in three days their book made me delighted with it. I am now having great fun with it and creating some awesome (to me, anyway) results.

I also have Picasa but Elements is to Picasa as an F18 is to the Wright brothers aircraft.