i am running inkscape on windows 7 64bit. no problems.... but iam not sure if its *officially* supported. tobias Am 24.01.2010 08:42, schrieb Jerome Gunderson: -- **** ACHTUNG! Ab dem 01.09.2009 neue Adresse! **** Tobias Schulz>>> In der Kirchtanne 27>>> 64297 Darmstadt-Eberstadt PropperDX@...961...>>> http://www.propperdx.de ____________________________________________________________________________ Diese Nachricht ist mit einer elektronischen Signatur versehen

I do not support Windows or any other proprietary software or system. But that does not mean that my code wont work on these systems or even boycott them. In fact, it works exactly the opposite way: my code often runs well on Windows even if I do not care. And if it breaks something, people come and fix it. On Sun, Jan 24, 2010 at 5:02 PM, Jack Armstrong <jackcarmstrong@...155...> wrote:

I use Inkscape to create vector files that ultimately are converted for use with computerized paper cutting machines - these are either converted vinyl cutters or special purpose machines designed for use by home hobbyists to make scrapbook pages, cards, etc. The users are amateur crafts people, not professional artisans nor skilled computer users. Unfortunately, the software they must use to drive their cutters is almost universally Microsoft based. Not to generalize, but most of these users are women, and most are barely comfortable turning a PC on and using it for email. I participate in several forums for these hobbyists, frequently answering questions about how to use PCs in general. I've recommended Inkscape, but many of them find the learning curve too steep, preferring proprietary software that comes with their machines - very limited in what it can do, but stone simple to operate. Photoshop is a stretch for these people, and things like Illustrator totally beyond what they want to learn (or pay for). I've also recommended Linux distros like Ubuntu, but this is a different audience - if it doesn't turn on and work by itself, they look elsewhere. Like all too many PC users, if their machine gives them any problems, they dump it and buy a new one - with the latest Microsoft disaster. Apple loses out on this market except for those capable of using Boot Camp to run their cutter software - plus their added cost. I'm a retired computer scientist with 40+ years of experience with dozens of vendors and operating systems. I run multiple machines and like this one, often implement dual-boot Linux/XP (XP is where I draw the line - no VIsta or sons of Vista). Like many, there are a few MS-only applications I need to run, but the primary reason I bother to maintain anything Microslop is to test web sites I develop as a sideline - I develop with Firefox, but have to somehow make them render more or less the same on Internet Exploder. I've given up kludging to make IE6 work, but there are still too many users world wide who think Internet browsing means using the thing that came with their latest PC purchase. As a side note, this means not being able to use svg images on my web sites, since IE chokes on them. Back to Inkscape - I'd love to see a scaled down version that implements a short list of features sufficient to create line designs (color is immaterial here - cutters only cut, not paint), save files in svg, and perhaps with an optional plugin to allow output to craft cutters. Some of these machines use HPGL, but too many require some variation thereof and would have to be customized for a particular machine. Not a huge audience, and one that would require some initial hand-holding, but once introduced to Inkscape in a gentle way, I predict they would be enthusiastic supporters and want to grow into using more advanced capabilities. I know there has been some interest here in an HPGL output option, but there needs to be a means of specifying additional information - i.e., cutting speed, knife pressure, etc. that are generally unique to the cutter being used. I do correspond with some advanced users who use Inkscape like I do, but they tend to be skilled artists in another life and very skilled in the use of computers in general. Sorry if I offended any of the Inkscape or Linux community, but I've long held the belief that machines need to accommodate to the user's, not the other way around. Assuming a basic knowledge of Unix skills and vocabulary in order to use a device makes support a lot easier, but severely restricts the user base. Much as I hate Microsoft, if you're willing to pay for the excess hardware and willing to eat anything they but on your plate - they * do* make it easy for machine-phobic users to make simplistic use of their PCs. So does Apple, but it costs more. </soapbox mode> Jack On Sun, Jan 24, 2010 at 1:19 PM, john cliff <john.cliff@...155...> wrote:

On Sun, Jan 24, 2010 at 4:29 PM, Joshua L. Blocher <verbalshadow@...155...>wrote: Yes, some non-techies get that impression, but I think it comes about as a result of a response to a question that is couched in terminology they don't understand. Additionally, some people look at groups like this and see very technical questions being asked with very technical responses and they simply slink away without asking... Don't know what to do about that other than occasionally posting a request for any level of question and a promise to answer them all... On the forum there is a sub-group for cutters - note how many requests for cutter support have gone unanswered or simply written off as "not possible". What exactly are they having troubles with? Is it have to learn too much at There are a few tutorials for how to use Inkscape for these hobby users and they have helped somewhat, but as I stated before, many of these people are intimidated by the tool bars in Photoshop - Inkscape comes with too many features (at least too many turned on?) and they assume it's too complicated for them. OK... I started on a project to review the hobby cutter software out there and make a list of features: have to have; commonly available and nice to have; competition beater, etc. I got as far as a list of what file formats each would accept & output nad ran out of time. I'm still out of time, but this conversation has me interested again. No promises, but I just added it to my to do list. This is clearly an area the Inkscape and the FOSS world in general needs I'm motivated, but not sure I'm a contributor -- my programming skills other than those use to build web sites are pretty rusty, and I remember all too well how coding can consume you - I *am* trying to retire! Excellent idea - unfortunately, one of the most active groups is dedicated to a specific cutter and their proprietary software so I'd have to lure them into helping very tactfully... that said, I think it would be possible -- I have a few friends there and in a couple of other groups. Where is the best place to make any findings or suggestions public? Jack at HighSierraDesign dot com

I have been using Inkscape to draw artwork for my homebrew pinball machine project and I am also using it to cut acrylic parts for it. You can see photos, videos and blogposts in these links: * http://www.flickr.com/photos/felipesanches * http://www.youtube.com/user/felipesanches * http://jucablues.blogspot.com/ I also know that Jeri Ellsworth uses Inkscape to design her pinball stuff: * http://www.youtube.com/user/jeriellsworth * http://www.fatmanandcircuitgirl.com/live/ Actually, my homebrew pinball project is THE reason why I discovered some years ago the existance of Inkscape (because I was looking for a free software CAD and stumbled upon Inkscape, which is not a CAD tool but got me seduced) and ultimately became an Inkscape developer. cheers, Felipe Sanches (a.k.a. JucaBlues)