On Sunday 24 January 2010 03:37:35 pm Jack Armstrong 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.
We would like the cutter and scrap booking communities to not have to use
proprietary software as well. But like you said most of the people in those
communities are not skilled computer users. There in lies the rub most non-
technical user think the technical user don't care or want about their input.
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.
What exactly are they having troubles with? Is it have to learn too much at
one time. If so the easy solution is to make a tutorial that clearly state
these are the only tools and functions you have to know. All the other stuff is
extra and can be fun to play with if thing have time, but totally not needed.
A second thing that will help more in the long run is to help us build a user
profile that helps us account for this type of user when making design
decisions.
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.
This is clearly an area the Inkscape and the FOSS world in general needs help.
We were starting to work with a couple of groups to help get this sorted, but
the project fell apart. We really just waiting to find a motivated contributor
who is interested in this. Since everyone works on the things that interest
them. The good news is joining the team is easy. Two patches, translation
updates, documentation additions get you commit rights to BZR.
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.
I'm not offended. I'm worried that there is someone in our community that has
given you that impression. We are a warm and friendly community and if anyone
is not treating you correctly, please let us know so it can be dealt with.
I'm probably very jaded for determining if Inkscape is requires *nix skills
and vocabulary since I completely moved away from the windows world 6+ years
ago. Please tell us exactly were we are making things overly complex or to
unix-y this will help us improve our user experience.
If you have time please relay to us your experiences with the communities you
work with this will help us build a better Inkscape.
Joshua L. Blocher
verbalshadow