Well I first had a taster using a computer back in 1973 at Warwick University. I recall it was playing "Bulls and Cows". In 1978 I bought my first 'puter and started to get to grips with programming the thing as a hobby. In 1992 I was made redundant and went at got a degree in software engineering. In 1996 I started at my present place of work developing CAD/CAM software. You probably see the results of our design and manufacturing software everyday of your life. Actually our software is used by both Canon and Nikon, probably most of the other camera makers too. Canadians see the result every time they get given change, quite a few other countries too. I know how to make a CPU do things, that doesn't mean to say that I know how some random piece of software (word, excel, etc) does something, nor why the damn stupid machine keeps crashing. Though I may have a general idea as to which part of it needs to be thumped. As for photoshop well there is a connection here:
http://www.doctorgavin.com/
Mostly I have a set sequence of things I do using PhotoImpact, and NeatImage. Probably takes 10 - 15 minutes per image. Sometimes I do a bit of fiddling about and occasionally discover some new technique. I no longer try converting some PS tutorial into PI as I just get frustrated. I've given up on photographic magazines as my impression is that they are mostly useless twaddle, adverts masquerading as editorial as trying to sell you something.