Well I do plan on downloading LR4, can GIMP process Nikon RAW files or would I need to convert them to Jpeg in Nikon View first. On that note, I know I will get fried for this but, how much different is LR from Nikon View (besides all the niffty plugins you can get to increase the speed of your work flow). From my understanding both can view, rate, organize your files. I am sure LR is way better but I am seriously looking at using Capture NX2 for anything I really want to "adjust" to my liking.
I was wanting NX3 but after reading the D800 brochure it does not look like NX 3 is going to be out soon. Forgot where, but I saw that there will be an update for pictures that needed the D800 but someone used a D800E and the software will help take out the bad patterns (forgot what you call it at the moment).
I know LR is way faster but I don't mind my computer crunching numbers for hours (well I do but its never critical). If I need my pictures fast usually they come straight out of the camera to a printer to a parent, usually within 30 min. There is no time to process anything with parents wanting pictures right then, plus you still have to get back to shooting the rest of the event.