GIMP

How to install fonts in GIMP (windows)
Summary: quit GIMP,put the font in “C:\Program Files\GIMP 2\share\gimp\2.0\fonts”, start GIMP.

How to Add Border Around Text in GIMP
Summary: Create the text. Right click inside the text and select “Path from text”. Add transparent layer. Select – From path (Shift-V). Grow selection. Fill selection on the main layer.

Fade Out Images with GIMP
Google search for 'fade+out+background+image+to+white'