Re: [Gimp-user] In need of an older version

[Ofnuts <ofnuts gmx com>]

On 29/06/2020 18:43, Jacques Le Fèvre via gimp-user-list wrote:
> The Gimp is useful for me for two purposes:
>
> - Repairing scanned photos (removing scratches and stains)
> - Creating pictures to post on a web site I manage.
>
> I have two versions of the Gimp: Gimp 2.4.0-rc3 on an old laptop
> (ubuntu 7.10) and Gimp 2.8 on my desktop computer (Linuxmint 17).

Wondering why you stopped at 2.4.0-rc3, because 2.4.7 would likely have
a few bugs fixed.

> When I have to do serious picture editing, I use the older version,
> because of features that are lacking on the more recent one:

First make sure that you are using the "classic" multi-window UI:
un-check "Windows>Single window mode"

> - The toolbox on the left of the screen, which is very useful to
> switch tools quickly and easiliy.

It should be there by default. Otherwise: Windows>Dockable
dialogs>Toolbox. The visibility of the toolbox (and all auxiliary
windows) is toggled with [tab].

> - The possibility of adjusting the size of text pasted on an image, as
> long as it is not anchored.

You can still scale the "Floating selection" before anchoring it (you
can also make it a new layer and scale it later...)

> - The automatic closure, as a straight line, of the freehand selection
> tool.

Just double-click after your last anchor.

> - The ease of editing foreground and background colours. I have not
> found the way to even do it with the newer version.

If you mean changing the colors used by the tools, just click their
swashes in the toolbox (the toolbox includes the color swashes by default).

> The need of continued use of the Gimp 2.4.0-rc3 prevents me from
> updating the system on the laptop. It would also be more convenient to
> use the older version of the Gimp on the desktop computer, along with
> current versions of other software.

I don't see anything in Gimp 2.4 that I could not do in Gimp 2.8 or
2.10. You should really give them a try.

> I would therefore be happy with a 32 bit i-386 Debian package (.deb
> file, to install with the dpkg -i command) of the Gimp 2.4.0-rc3. Is
> there any way to get it?

You can recompile Gimp from source. However you may have to do some
adaptations because the development toolchain has somewhat changed in 13
years.