[Sussex] Distros

[Paul Tansom]

On Tue, 2005-04-05 at 12:07 +0100, Geoffrey J. Teale wrote:
> "Chris Jones" <cmsj at tenshu.net> writes:
> > Or running well integrated banking software, 
> 
> Eh?  Most of the big banks run their operations on Linux post 9/11 -
> are you talking about Microsoft Money type software?

They are? I thought they were moving gradually, but by no means most
were yet. They have never been big Microsoft fans, and this was a
traditional stronghold for OS/2, in fact when I'm in the HSBC and look
at their systems I can still see the familiar OS/2 Warp 4 window
decorations, so since I'm not aware of any strong themes or window
managers doing this (although I could be wrong if IBM has tried to match
the desktop feel) I'm assuming they are still on OS/2 for now.

> > or doing the things GIMP
> > can't manage yet, 
> 
> This is an increasingly small set of things.  I know of several print
> shops and design organisations who believe that the GIMP is actually a
> far better environment than photoshop now.  The real problem is that
> designers know there way around photoshop and don't want to learn a
> new tool.

Suggest that they take a look at Gimpshop. Initially a Mac modification
for Gimp to rearrange the menus to be familiar to Photoshop users, this
has now been ported to Linux. There's definitely a Fedora RPM around,
which I think has been tested with success on SuSe too. Windows has been
mentioned, but I've not read of a binary package yet - although source
is available. Personally I was a Photopaint user prior to Gimp (and
Photo Impact before that because it was included with my scanner!), so
the project has little impact on me - I'm pretty happy to get more
familiar with the Gimp menus :)

http://plasticbugs.com/index.php?p=241
http://codemills.com/blog/?p=4
http://www.codemills.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?p=108#108

> >or editing a video, 
> 
> Hmmm.. odd because not only are there several excellent tools to do
> this, but major Holywood movies have been edited with free software.

Definately, I really must take a look at Cinelarra properly when I get
the time. Kino worked quite nicely when I did a quick review of the Pyro
firewire PCMCIA card for LF a few years back, and I didn't really have
to do any significant setting up. What I really need to take a look for
is some DVD authoring software that allows me to create the menus, etc.
so I can put family video onto DVD with easy access to specific
dates/events and possibly even a still photo show or two.

> >or... the list goes on and on.
> 
> Yes there are admittedly a number of specialist applications out there
> that are not yet covered by Free Software, but the core platform is
> really very well served now.

Professional CAD and accounting software are the two I come across most.
Although this may be more down to the lack of Autocad on Linux than lack
of a half capably CAD application. Accounting is heading in the right
direction, but slowly - thankfully OOo Calc is doing me well enough for
now! Oh, and educational software suitable for use in schools, notably
LEA approved stuff. I'm not just talking good classroom software here
either, but the backend stuff too.

> > It's just worth an absolute fortune ;)
> 
> Yup.  How is that a priority?  Yes we'd love games to be free
> software, but it's a losing battle right now so we don't fight it
> particularly hard with our limited resources.

I doubt Games will ever get there completely given the massive
commercial marketing and interests behind consoles, etc.. Better support
for commercial gaming on Linux would be a very good start, and cross
platform games a real boon. Not an issue for me though, the most I'd
like to see for personal use is an easy was to play retro games on my
GBA - so a few 8 and 16 bit platform emulators :) I think gaming moved
past me sometime in the mid to late 80's!

<snip>
-- 
Paul Tansom | Aptanet Ltd. | http://www.aptanet.com/