Re: [Gimp-developer] GIMP UI quality opinion

[Aleksey Midenkov <midenok gmail com>]

On Thu, Feb 16, 2012 at 8:02 PM, John Harris <john grynn com> wrote:
> As a gimp user of several years, with 18 years in the professional retouch
> and design arena, I would like to chime in on the topic of the UI.
> Yes the UI has a ways to go. That's called a milestone. Something to reach
> towards. The Gimp team has achieved many milestones over the years with
> great success. Some of that success comes at the cost of a delayed release.
> Personally, I would prefer a stable release that is late over a buggy
> release that is on-time.
> The UI has improved quite a bit during the present development cycle. Tool
> bars and pallets in the window with the graphics are working in the
> development release and are expected to be in the stable release.

Happy to hear that, guys!

> The tabbed
> windows are a brilliant addition BTW.

Indeed!

> Though I was not part of the workflow
> study, I can attest to my workflow relying on keyboard shortcuts. Much
> faster than menus and less clutter than toolbars.  If a user is willing to
> take the time to learn the shortcuts, they may find the toolbars to be
> redundant and can hide them - opening more workspace.

Good point. Consider the cases when user doesn't want to use keyboard.
Like me (I know shortcuts and use them but prefer mouse). Or have no
keyboard (a tablet for example). Yes, there are actually models of x86
notebooks that are better controlled with touchscreen.

>
> Gimp is not more for the amateur user than photoshop is.  What this small
> team of under-funded developers have accomplished in their spare time is
> amazing. Their sacrifices ( working late nights and holidays, being away
> from family and friends, etc. ) is admirable and honorable.

That's for sure

>
> I invite any user, including myself, to remember that this project provides
> us all with a fantastic tool without the expense of a commercial
> application. Let's honor the developer's efforts! If we have suggestions and
> feature requests, we should submit them with kind words and supporting
> real-world information on how the idea would be useful to the user base as a
> whole.  In the case of a toolbar, create some illustrations showing your
> idea, add some supporting copy as to why it's a good idea and submit it at:
> http://gimp-brainstorm.blogspot.com/, then be done with it.

Aren't you just said that it is already developing? I've already
'submitted' my opinion.

> If the
> developers like it and it fits in with their strategy, they will implement
> it. Have trust that they know what they are doing and are doing the best
> they can with what they have.
>
> Also keep in mind that many features can be implemented as a plug-in. If
> what you are seeking is a feature that is a better fit for a select few,
> rather than the whole user base, then seek out assistance from a plug-in
> developer who would be willing to work on your idea. This concept frees up
> the time of the developers to work towards a stable core application. The
> more we users poke at them for changes, the longer the stable release will
> be delayed.
>
> Thank you again to the development team for all you do!

I join! Apart from stressful moments like ugly UI design I still use
Gimp! That says about something. So thanks for your efforts guys! The
power comparing to Photoshop is amazing indeed!