Show off and make softare recomendations please

[R&J]

I want to further my skills and experience with digital photography.
I have digital SLR and now want to learn more about the processes that can be done on my PC.
what are your reccomendations for the tools to

1. blend pictures ie to make a panorama
2. superimpose one picture on to another
3. special effect like infra red (can this be done at PC stage?)
4. adding tex to a picture
5. capturing a style of writing IE lettering outside a cinema, and reproducing it to form additional words

I hear a lot on PH about Photoshop, is this King when it comes to this type of thing or will I need many different programs?

Your help in entering this whole new world of photography is much needed and greatly appreciated.

please post some of your "photoshop" delight and some details of the process & software

Thanks

Edited by R&J on Saturday 28th October 17:03