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Free software is dead? Free software is still there, same as it ever was. And it will be there forever. The more people flee to it from SAAS shittification, the

Free software is dead? Free software is still there, same as it ever was. And it will be there forever. The more people flee to it from SAAS shittification, the better it will get.

Gigachad 1y ago
It’s not dead, but a lot of it is stagnant. How much has Gimp improved in the last 10 years vs photoshop.
- archagon 1y ago
  Gimp, maybe not so much[1], but I understand that Krita has improved quite a bit. And regardless of stagnancy, both of these applications will continue to exist long after Affinity gets our-incredible-journeyed. [1]: (FWIW, I don't know one way or the other. Apologies to any Gimp developers here.)
  - Andrex 1y ago
    Gimp actually, finally had their big 3.0 update earlier this year which "modernized" (to ~5 years ago) a lot of the codebase. The UI is mostly the same but it's using much more modern UI components (editing text isn't terrible now, etc.) https://www.gimp.org/news/2025/03/16/gimp-3-0-released/ https://www.gimp.org/news/2025/03/16/gimp-3-0-released/ Gimp's problem is mostly one of funding and attention, like most OSS projects. But it's never stopped development, which I think is impressive 27 years on. Imagine where Gimp would be if any company treated it like Valve treats WINE.
    - archagon 1y ago
      Oh nice! Just gave it a shot and it does feel a lot more pleasant to use on macOS than what I remember.
    - fainpul 1y ago
      Can I now finally open a png or jpg file, make some edits and hit <Ctrl + S> or do I still have to go through the "Export" dialog?
      - Andrex 1y ago
        They made that change sometime in 2.x(?) and I doubt they'll walk it back. Getting into the export flow takes time but I find it to be cleaner.
        fainpul 1y ago
        I think it's annoying and patronizing. When exporting, I have to use the file browser to pick a directory and filename to save, when all I want to do is overwrite the file I have open.
        Andrex 1y ago
        It's a one-time thing per file while Gimp is open. Subsequent exports can be triggered instantly with Ctrl+E or File -> Export (instead of Export As...)
- prmoustache 1y ago
  Gimp has improved a lot and is still awesome value in term of dollar to service provided, even while making a small monthly or yearly donation.
  - Andrex 1y ago
    Another Gimp diehard for life here. I should make a donation, I appreciate the reminder. People go on and on about how bad Gimp's UI is, and while I won't defend it I will the criticism is 99% overblown. https://i.imgur.com/3gqmu9N.png https://i.imgur.com/3gqmu9N.png If you take 10-15 minutes to customize the UI it can be pretty damn simple if you want. I'd say those minutes are worth it to avoid a subscription and to support a true OSS stalwart project.

Free software is dead? Free software is still there, same as it ever was. And it will be there forever. The more people flee to it from SAAS shittification, the better it will get.

Gigachad 1y ago

It’s not dead, but a lot of it is stagnant. How much has Gimp improved in the last 10 years vs photoshop.

archagon 1y ago
Gimp, maybe not so much[1], but I understand that Krita has improved quite a bit. And regardless of stagnancy, both of these applications will continue to exist long after Affinity gets our-incredible-journeyed. [1]: (FWIW, I don't know one way or the other. Apologies to any Gimp developers here.)
- Andrex 1y ago
  Gimp actually, finally had their big 3.0 update earlier this year which "modernized" (to ~5 years ago) a lot of the codebase. The UI is mostly the same but it's using much more modern UI components (editing text isn't terrible now, etc.) https://www.gimp.org/news/2025/03/16/gimp-3-0-released/ https://www.gimp.org/news/2025/03/16/gimp-3-0-released/ Gimp's problem is mostly one of funding and attention, like most OSS projects. But it's never stopped development, which I think is impressive 27 years on. Imagine where Gimp would be if any company treated it like Valve treats WINE.
  - archagon 1y ago
    Oh nice! Just gave it a shot and it does feel a lot more pleasant to use on macOS than what I remember.
  - fainpul 1y ago
    Can I now finally open a png or jpg file, make some edits and hit <Ctrl + S> or do I still have to go through the "Export" dialog?
    - Andrex 1y ago
      They made that change sometime in 2.x(?) and I doubt they'll walk it back. Getting into the export flow takes time but I find it to be cleaner.
      - fainpul 1y ago
        I think it's annoying and patronizing. When exporting, I have to use the file browser to pick a directory and filename to save, when all I want to do is overwrite the file I have open.
        Andrex 1y ago
        It's a one-time thing per file while Gimp is open. Subsequent exports can be triggered instantly with Ctrl+E or File -> Export (instead of Export As...)
prmoustache 1y ago
Gimp has improved a lot and is still awesome value in term of dollar to service provided, even while making a small monthly or yearly donation.
- Andrex 1y ago
  Another Gimp diehard for life here. I should make a donation, I appreciate the reminder. People go on and on about how bad Gimp's UI is, and while I won't defend it I will the criticism is 99% overblown. https://i.imgur.com/3gqmu9N.png https://i.imgur.com/3gqmu9N.png If you take 10-15 minutes to customize the UI it can be pretty damn simple if you want. I'd say those minutes are worth it to avoid a subscription and to support a true OSS stalwart project.