Hi all,
I'd like to volunteer to help with updating the Gimp website; I was told by
Sven on the usability forum to apply to this mailing list.
First allow me to introduce myself: I'm Michael, a graphic designer from
Israel. Professionaly I mainly do 3D modeling and interface design (mostly
icon work but also consulting on usability issues), and I'm proficient in
HTML and CSS, although I'm not very up to date on XHTML and such.
My interest in the Gimp comes from a general interest in the free software
movement, and the fact that there are a lot of people out there in need of a
good graphic app who are not aware of this alternative to using pirated
copies of Photoshop.
So, what can I do?
First of all I'd like to suggest a small website makeover. Gimp is a graphic
tool and the website sould reflect it by having a bit more visual punch to
it.
here's the quick makeover I did - just a suggestion, based on the
clearlooks gnome theme color pallette:
http://www.geocities.com/preacher_mg/gimpweb.html
What else? First I'd like to see this website used as a hub for the Gimp
community. I'd like to add real resources like scripts, brushes, gradients,
and patterns (as opposed to images of GIMP resources that already come with
the app, as it is now). Also tutorials couldn't hurt.
I realize it sounds like a lot of work but there are many existing resources
on the gimp user group website at gug.sunsite.dk. It's a shame they are not
easiily accessible from this site! Perhaps they could also be made available
on this site, or more links made to the various resources there. And
speaking of GUG, since there's already a discussion forum there, it can't
hurt to add a link to it from the menu.
I'd also like to add a link to the plugin registry into the website, or
somehow better integrate it into the website, so that browsing and
downloading plugins would be as easy as downloading extensions for Firefox
from www.mozilla.org.
Something else I'd like to help develop are constant development updates and
possibly development binaries, to keep people interested and informed about
what's being done. In this I'd like to emulate what the people at
www.inkscape.org are doing. But this will require your help! I actually
compiled 2.3.3 for Windows and I'm other sure people who have trouble with
compiling will be happy to test it.
My hidden agenda in all this is to use this website to draw more people into
helping develop the Gimp. Even if it's just help with the user manual (Some
of it, I'm sorry to say, is sorely in need of a re-write by a real english
speaker) or help with compiling binaries or packaging. I think a permanent
call for help banner on the website, with specific duties outlined, can get
people to chip in.
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