Re: [libreoffice-users] Re: GIMP - was: CNET is claiming the best free MSO alternative is not LO

Ken,

you wrote about comparing unlike programs,

> > > >do that with scans from a hand scanner in my Atari computing days.
> > > >
> > > >But, to compare them?  That would be like calling a Kenworth and a
> > > >Ferrari racing cars.    LOL

and I asked,

> > can you clarify this for me - suppose I have a set of purposes, e.g.
> > altering color, inserting text, cropping, what have you; is it
> > unreasonable to compare 'different animals' in respect of ease of use
> > and quality of results in relation to specific ends like this?
> >
> > (btw I compare apples to oranges all the time and indeed I prefer one
> > to the other. I don't call them both 'citrus fruit' though, I do call
> > them 'fruit' or food (actually, breakfast).)
> >
> > why can't we compare "different animals" according to specific ends?

you replied that

> It depends on the specific ends.  Then decide on the type of tool you 
> wish to use.  Once the type of tool is selected, then compare the 
> different versions of that type tool.

and here we agree.

then you wrote:

> Let's say you want to disassemble an engine.  How about a '57 Chevy? 
> What kind of tool do you want to use?
>
> The first is to select the correct tools.  Metric?  Whitworth?  SAE? 
> The first two are obviously are not the right solution.  They won't work 
> worth a hoot.  You can force them, but it would be a PITA to use.
>
> Which type of SAE tool?  Wrench?  Ratchet and sockets?  Air tools and 
> sockets?  You decide on air tools and sockets.  Now is when you compare 
> the tools.  Who makes the best air tool, for you, to do the job. 
> Snap-on?  Cleveland Pneumatic?  Mac?  MacTool?  Cornwell?
>
> Now you have a valid basis on which to compare tools, as the all do the 
> same basic job in the same manner.  Compressed air to turn the sockets 
> to remove nuts and bolts.
>
> That does not mean the air tool is always the best solution.  Sometimes 
> the wrench is the best solution.

let me interrupt the 'car talk'; you take back with one hand what you 
gave with the other. we can compare things according to our 'specific 
ends'. but that doesn't imply that our specific ends always require 
'the best solution'! good enough is often good enough.

put another way, the 'the best solution' may not require including the 
optimally appropriate selection of tools.

we could have other ends that don't require this kind of optimality. 
this is usually the case for casual users of image programs and of 
other things like selection of car or place to have dinner.

> And of all the variations of wrenches available, it might be a more 
> specific wrench, an angle head wrench for example, is the best 
> choice.
>
> If you're specific end is to manipulate individual pixels in a bitmapped 
> graphic, you use an image editor.  You don't use a vector drawing 
> program for that.  Years ago, I used a couple of programs that claimed 
> to do both, and in the end they did neither very well.

if your specific end includes this sort of optimality, yes; otherwise 
not so much. I'm not sure how this optimality condition slipped in.

> This is where you need to know what kind of specific tools are out 
> there.  In the case of computers, what types of software is available, 
> and a general idea of their capabilities.
>
> In your scenario, your first decision is what kind of graphic image is 
> it?  Bitmapped or vector?  (In they auto example, what's the measurement 
> system used?  Metric, Whitworth, or SAE.)  If bitmapped, you're changing 
> individual pixels.  If vector, you're changing areas.  They are 
> different situations, requiring different tools.
>
> A bitmapped image is a painting.  A vector graphic is your car.  Would 
> you use a spray can to touch up your painting?  A paint brush to paint 
> your car?  Although, I knew a guy that did that!
>
> Here's an example:
>
> I've a friend who wanted to take a picture, place numbers over it and 
> create a clock face.  The only software she knew about was Photoshop 
> Essentials.  And I don't know how much time she'd spent on the project 
> with no success.  But she was frustrated.
>
> After getting details from her, I did the job for her in 15 minutes in 
> Inkscape, learning how to do it at the same time.
>
> She had never bothered to learn what other computer tools were out 
> there, and what they were capable of.

yes, it's good to know different tools. of course not _every_ use of 
some suboptimal tool causes hours of wasted effort, may even spare 
effort.

this all was a bit of a digression from my question why we cannot 
compare 'different animals'. seems we can.

F.

--
Felmon Davis

If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans.
                -- Woody Allen


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