[newbie] Software Questions

[Paul]

I was wondering if anyone can recommend some software that will let me 
create MP3s from my CD's?  Hopefully, a standalone program that 
doesn't need x, y and z installed already to work.

I've also been looking for the latest GIMP RPMs (Devel version).  I 
can't get the source to compile :(

Last, but not least: can PAN .7.5 read offline?


Thanks for any info.