I got my latest issue of Children's Software & New Media Revue (Summer 2004)
and it includes a review of the latest Kid Pix. Since so many people have
compared Tux Paint to Kid Pix (which I honestly still have never seen,
except for a small Java demo about a year or so ago), I thought I'd share
some of their comments, so we have a better idea of what's considered
"good" and what's considered "bad" in a paint program for kids. :^)
Stengths of both versions [Kid Pix Deluxe 3 OSX & Kid Pix Deluxe 4] include:
* a "Small Kids" mode with simplified sticker and color palettes
[Tux Paint has numerous options which I hope help suit it to younger
or disabled kids]
* a "sign in" menu that makes it possible to save the program settings for
individual children
[Huh... don't modern Macs and PCs already have this at the OS level ;^) ]
* a new layer feature that makes it possible for type, sticker and
animation elements to be moved and / or edited later
* help levels that can be set in the preferences
[Not sure what Kid Pix "help levels" are, so I can't compare]
* nice 16 bit graphics features, such as blending colors, shading, chalk
blending, and so on
[Check, got that!]
* the ability to easily type, in a variety of fonts, colors and sizes
[Check; except the issue with some languages]
* text-to-speech -- any type can be read in a variety of voices
[Perhaps it's time to play with Festival?]
* the slide show option, although the MacKiev version makes it easier to
grab non-Kid Pix created art
Weaknesses of both versions include:
* animated stickers and zany menu effects that are fun for a while, but
push into a child's creative space too easily
[All Tux Paint does is the 'fwoop!' for pop-up dialogs :^) ]
* slide show maker will only work with Pid Pix photos and not other generic
files like JPGs
* you can open just one picture at a time (you can't cut and paste from
one picture to another, or jump from the painting screen to the slide show,
without saving)
* objects cannot be painted on, until they are "flattened" (a process
that is hard for children to understand)
[Heh, adults too. That's one reason Tux Paint doesn't use layers :^) ]
* traditional operating system windows and menus to find, save and open files
[D'OH!]
* cumbersome ability to import and export JPG images
[I still would like to see a Tux Paint import app for parents and
the more sophisticated children; TP's save dir is kind of hidden]
* just one level of "undo" (unlike professional drawing programs)
[and unlike Tux Paint ;^) ]
* too many boppy graphics, swooping rollovers and "cool" effects.
These elements can distract children from the main purpose of the
program -- to create.
[This has always been my mantra regarding Tux Paint, as well.
Keep it simple, stupid! It's not Photoshop. It's for 3 year old kids!]
They go on to mention that Kid Pix Deluxe 3 does not support Spanish.
It does, however, integrate nicely with iPhoto and iMovie, apparently.
(Anyone wanna buy me an iMac? ;^) ) Kid Pix Deluxe 4 apparently has some
more 'school-friendly' features, and does support Spanish.
Their summary states: "each new version of Kid Pix is fairly powerful and
fun, but over stylized and clunky. Too bad -- the world is still in need of
a 'Photoshop for the rest of us.' Perhaps Kid Pix 5?"
COME ON GUYS! I e-mailed you about Tux Paint MONTHs ago! What, do I have
to burn it on CDROM for you to pay attention?! Sheesh! ;^)
Lastly, I'm shocked by the high price of Kid Pix! Kid Pix Deluxe 3 costs
a whopping $39.95 USD. Kid Pix Deluxe 4 is over TWICE that price, at just
under $90! (Unless you're upgrading a site license... but still... Damn!!!)
Anyway, based on what these reviews like and dislike, Tux Paint's definitely
on the right track! :^) Yay, us!
-bill!
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Man, some trip this turned out to be.
http://www.newbreedsoftware.com/ All we caught is a tire, a boot,
New Breed Software a tin can and this book of cliches.
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