Working with large graphics

[Robert Sullivan]

As a followup to the messages about Paint Shop Pro and PhotoShop, I have a more
specific question.  Is there a program which makes it particularly easy to
manipulate large graphics?

I'm considering how to scan some old city atlases for our local history site. 
At this stage, I have to think about doing it in pieces (most pages are
tabloid-sized, but one atlas is much larger).  I would like to take the pieces
of a large image and put them back together for those users who are capable of
dealing with it.  The pieces might not necessarily be nicely divided.

I have Paint Shop Pro 4.12 (the version included with HotDog Pro 5) and
FreeHand 8 on a P300 with 64 MB RAM.  I could probably get PhotoShop if that's
necessary.  I'm not a graphics person, so I'd like to save time by starting
with the right program.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.  As a side question, I'm also interested
in information on large format scanners (i.e., something larger than the $2500
11x17 and 12x18 models now in the mail order catalogs).  I don't have the
money, but I may be able to advise someone who does. :-)

Bob Sullivan                               scp_sulli at sals.edu
Schenectady County Public Library (NY)     http://www.scpl.org