Google funds Photoshop-on-Linux work (C|Net) [LWN.net]

Google funds Photoshop-on-Linux work (C|Net)

Posted Feb 22, 2008 0:00 UTC (Fri) by bronson (subscriber, #4806)
In reply to: Google funds Photoshop-on-Linux work (C|Net) by bersl2
Parent article: Google funds Photoshop-on-Linux work (C|Net)

If Gimp were easy to use, Windows users could start using it right now.  The Windows port is
actually quite stable.  That seems an easier transition to make than trying to replace the
entire OS.

I guess the question we're debating is, should windows users be baited with the OS or with the
apps?  And the answer is clearly "yes."  :)

> Once they have started to use Linux, then and only then
> can more effort be put into making the GIMP seem like
> (and be) a more acceptable tool for professionals.

Erm, I'm not sure I'm willing to wait that long!  I'm glad the Inkscape devs are making their
tool acceptable for professionals without worrying about Linux adoption first.  And I hope the
Gimp receives this sort of attention soon as well.

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Google funds Photoshop-on-Linux work (C|Net)

Posted Feb 22, 2008 4:25 UTC (Fri) by drag (subscriber, #31333) [Link]

> If Gimp were easy to use, Windows users could start using it right now.  The Windows port is
actually quite stable.  That seems an easier transition to make than trying to replace the
entire OS.

It doesn't matter how well Gimp runs in Windows.. Window's window management is so poor that
it makes Gimp virtually unusable. It just ends up being a mess of dozens or so windows from
different applications if your trying to get any real work done.

You can't isolate applications with virtual desktops. You can't have nice drop down lists to
choose stuff. You can't group Gimp's windows so that they are all directly assoicated with
each other. A good window manager is required to get the Gimp to be functional for a end user.

Google funds Photoshop-on-Linux work (C|Net)

Posted Feb 22, 2008 15:24 UTC (Fri) by nlucas (subscriber, #33793) [Link]

Windows does "window grouping". If it doesn't with GIMP then I would assume is a GIMP bug (or
maybe the framework).

And you can have multiple desktops on Windows too, although you need to install it.

I don't use Windows for some years now, but I don't feel it's right to put the blame on the
wrong side.

Google funds Photoshop-on-Linux work (C|Net)

Posted Feb 22, 2008 16:29 UTC (Fri) by im14u2c (subscriber, #5246) [Link]

Hmm.  I don't seem to have much of a problem with Gimp on Windows.  And VirtuaWin does a
pretty good job of the virtual desktops on Windows.  (Much better than MSVDM.)

You might pay with the settings under Preferences->Window Management to see if you can make it
work more to your liking.