[NTLUG:Discuss] Equiv to PhotoShop,etc (was: VMWare alt.)

[tr_data1]

> I have used the Gimp to touch up still photos and I have been
> quite happy with the results.

I agree that Gimp is a nice program. However, it is far from the
abilities and ease of PhotoShop. Unless I have too old of a
Gimp version, there are even basic features that appear to be
missing such as the "red eye" tool. I haven't given up on Gimp
either as it might just be a matter of getting used to it.

Another example is FrameMaker. I haven't come across any 
Linux nor M$ document creation tool that has the power and
ease of FrameMaker. It has been years since I have used it
(prior company). I don't have it at home because last I 
checked, it costs a lot. OpenOffice/StarOffice/M$Office isn't
that bad but compared to FrameMaker -- huge difference.

In regards to video editing software, I haven't tinkered with
anything yet (Linux nor M$). I suspect that it would be the 
same gap of capabilities as the photo s/w. I need something
that I can easily 1) clean up and digitize old VHS-C recordings,
2) edit out all the useless/boring footage (still archiving the
orig) with perhaps some transitioning effects and 3) create
DVDs (or even CDs that play on a DVD if short enough footage)
to send to grandma. Ya know, basic stuff a typical family man
hopes to do with camcorder recordings. Several months ago, 
the stone-age VHS-C finally died (the crowd cheers!) and I 
now have a used mini-DV cam, firewire and all. Should have
done that a long time ago.
=TR=