2. Multi-Column Dock Windows
GIMP 2.8 also allows dockable dialogs in a dock window to be placed in multiple columns. As the developers explain, "this is an appealing feature for multi-monitor users where one screen can have a big dock window with all the dialogs and the tools, while all images are on other displays."
3. On-Canvas Text Editing
Also new in this updated software is that text editing with the Text Tool is now performed on-canvas instead of in a separate window. Beyond more standard text formatting features like font family, style, and size selectors, users get numeric control over baseline offset and kerning as well as the ability to change text color.
4. Separate Save and Export