I hate switching between windows in GIMP. Isn there an easier way?
You are probably using Windows or some GNU/Linux window manager that does not support the “Utility window” hint. Right now you can use list of currently opened images in “Windows” menu. If you are using GNU/Linux or some free UNIX-like system and not willing to use GNOME and Metacity (its window manager) which does support “Utility window” hint, alternatively you can use a window manager like Fluxbox where you can apply this “always on top” property to the toolbox and layers dialogue. Window managers like Fluxbox also allow you to focus, or even raise, a window whenever you move the mouse over it (usually you have to click on a window before it will focus). Fluxbox allows you to stack windows together and the tab between them, much like Firefox can tab between web pages. Combined with focus-follows-mouse, this may increaseone’s workflow considerably. Fluxbox also requires very few resources meaning more memory for your images. Finally, don’t forget about keyboard shortcuts and modifier
