Hello everyone,
As I mentioned earlier, I updated Inkscape description at Apple downloads. The description was taken from the text on the main page of the site and now that I played a bit with it and compared it to other software, I tend to find it quite verbose and technical. This text is what people will copy paste to describe Inkscape (as I did) and does not look to appealing to me. For example I don't think there is enough emphasis on the UI which is one of Inkscape greatest strengths while some very basic things (shapes, paths, etc) are mentioned while they can be considered self evident. Would a rework of this text be acceptable or has it already been reworked many times and this is considered final? How do you want Inkscape to be perceived: as a UI on top of SVG or as a vector editor that happens to use SVG as its format?
More specifically about Apple Downloads, I just thought I would let you know that their staff updated Inkscape description. Now Inkscape has a nicer screenshot, a more detailed description and is classified as Imaging and 3D rather than under the more abstract "unix & open source" label. http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/imaging_3d/inkscape.html However, since I submitted it, it is listed under my name (but links to www.inkscape.org). This is obviously wrong (I don't want people thinking that Inkscape is my project, by any means!) and I tried to correct it by adding "Inkscape Community" as my company name. I hope they will update the description soon. For 0.46, the best thing will probably be to open an Apple account under the name "Inkscape Community" and then I'll delete Inkscape from mine.
Cheers,
JiHO --- http://jo.irisson.free.fr/
jiho wrote:
Hello everyone,
As I mentioned earlier, I updated Inkscape description at Apple downloads. The description was taken from the text on the main page of the site and now that I played a bit with it and compared it to other software, I tend to find it quite verbose and technical. This text is what people will copy paste to describe Inkscape (as I did) and does not look to appealing to me. For example I don't think there is enough emphasis on the UI which is one of Inkscape greatest strengths while some very basic things (shapes, paths, etc) are mentioned while they can be considered self evident. Would a rework of this text be acceptable or has it already been reworked many times and this is considered final? How do you want Inkscape to be perceived: as a UI on top of SVG or as a vector editor that happens to use SVG as its format?
As a user and lurker and lover of Inkscape, I think that description is too "techy". I note also that the license description is not really correct.
To me, "freeware" means that the application is free (as in "beer") but that the code and it's use is restricted or closed.
On the Inkscape FAQ it says it is released under the GPL v2.:
"GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE Version 2, June 1991 [2]. In short, this means you are free to use and distribute Inkscape for any purpose, commercial or non-commercial, without any restrictions. You are also free to modify the program as you wish, but with the only restriction that if you distribute the modified version, you must provide access to the source code of the distributed version."
The description on Apple's page should be either "Open Source" or more specifically "GPL".
Just my tuppence worth.
Alan
On 9/25/07, jiho <jo.irisson@...400...> wrote:
Hello everyone,
As I mentioned earlier, I updated Inkscape description at Apple downloads. The description was taken from the text on the main page of the site and now that I played a bit with it and compared it to other software, I tend to find it quite verbose and technical. This text is what people will copy paste to describe Inkscape (as I did) and does not look to appealing to me. For example I don't think there is enough emphasis on the UI which is one of Inkscape greatest strengths while some very basic things (shapes, paths, etc) are mentioned while they can be considered self evident.
I agree. I rewrote this front page text already (long ago), it used to be even worse :) Now it's a good time to revise it again. I just thought we'd wait for 0.46, because it will have to be changed then if only to add new formats (PDF and AI import). If you want to take a shot at it now, please feel free to publish your proposed variant on the list, and create a temporary wiki page so anyone can edit it.
On Tue, Sep 25, 2007 at 09:59:24AM +0200, jiho wrote:
Hello everyone,
As I mentioned earlier, I updated Inkscape description at Apple downloads. Would a rework of this text be acceptable or has it already been reworked many times and this is considered final? How do you want Inkscape to be perceived: as a UI on top of SVG or as a vector editor that happens to use SVG as its format?
I've updated the text using your description.
Bryce
On 2007-September-26 , at 07:20 , Bryce Harrington wrote:
On Tue, Sep 25, 2007 at 09:59:24AM +0200, jiho wrote:
Hello everyone,
As I mentioned earlier, I updated Inkscape description at Apple downloads. Would a rework of this text be acceptable or has it already been reworked many times and this is considered final? How do you want Inkscape to be perceived: as a UI on top of SVG or as a vector editor that happens to use SVG as its format?
I've updated the text using your description
I was wondering which description you were talking about and saw that Apple already updated their page with a cut-out version of the description text I wrote yesterday (and also updated the "company name" to Inkscape Community!). Wow, that was quick. Thank for using it, it means it was not so bad ;) (although there is a typing mistake. second paragraph: "trace bitmap s" should read "trace bitmaps").
I guess the text will be reworked for 0.46 depending on which new features are in anyway but if some don't like it, there is a way to compare it with its previous incarnation. Here is what Google cache has:
"Inkscape is an Open Source vector graphics editor, with capabilities similar to Illustrator, Freehand, CorelDraw, or Xara X using the W3C standard Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) file format. Supported SVG features include shapes, paths, text, markers, clones, alpha blending, transforms, gradients, patterns, and grouping. Inkscape also supports Creative Commons meta-data, node editing, layers, complex path operations, bitmap tracing, text-on-path, flowed text, direct XML editing, and more. It imports formats such as JPEG, PNG, TIFF, and others and exports PNG as well as multiple vector-based formats.
Inkscape's main goal is to create a powerful and convenient drawing tool fully compliant with XML, SVG, and CSS standards. We also aim to maintain a thriving user and developer community by using open, community-oriented development"
and here is the new one:
"About Inkscape An Open Source vector graphics editor, with capabilities similar to Illustrator, CorelDraw, or Xara X, using the W3C standard Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) file format.
Inkscape supports many advanced SVG features (markers, clones, alpha blending, etc.) and great care is taken in designing a streamlined interface. It is very easy to edit nodes, perform complex path operations, trace bitmap s and much more. We also aim to maintain a thriving user and developer community by using open, community- oriented development."
Is it OK for everyone?
JiHO --- http://jo.irisson.free.fr/
participants (4)
-
Alan Lord -
Bryce Harrington -
bulia byak -
jiho