Re: [Tuxpaint-devel] [Fwd: [K12OSN] TuxPaint 0.9.16 vs. KidPix a teachers perspective]

[Bill K. <nb...@so...>]

Petre S. was kind enough to forward a post by John to the K12OSN list
that does a short pro/con comparison of Tux Paint to the commerical
product that everyone compares Tux Paint to:  Kid Pix.

(Note: There seem to be numerous versions of Kid Pix out there, and, in fact,
it seems like two versions created by two companies, for OSX.  I'm not sure
which version of Tux Paint (I assume latest) is being compared to which
version of Kid Pix.)

I'm sending my reply back to Petre, as well as to the K12OSN list
(to which I am not currently subscribed, but hopefully a moderator will be
kind...), as well as to the 'tuxpaint-devel' mailing list.


On Thu, Dec 14, 2006 at 01:07:35PM -0600, Petre Scheie wrote:
> Bill-
> This message appeared on the K12LTSP mailing list, which you're no longer 
> on as I recall.  Just FYI.

Thanks again, Petre.


> Petre Scheie
> K12LTSP-er and TuxPaint enthusiast
> 
> -------- Original Message --------
> Subject: 	[K12OSN] TuxPaint 0.9.16 vs. KidPix a teachers perspective
> Date: 	Tue, 12 Dec 2006 13:51:26 -0800
> From: 	john
> Reply-To: 	Support list for open source software in schools.
> <k1...@re...>
> To: 	Support list for open source software in schools. <k1...@re...>
> 
> 
> 
> Hi all,
> 
> One of our teachers took the time to do a side by side comparison of
> TuxPaint and KidPix. I thought it was well done, and I thought I would
> pass it along. If anyone can help me locate resources that would
> answer/fix some of the criticisms she had I'd be interested. We just
> might have a convert if I could help her along.

Thanks so much, John!  Presumably, Tux Paint's $0 price point is also
helpful.  (Kids can bring it home with them, without any worries about
piracy.  Cross-platform support is helpful, too!)


> The Teacher says:
> 
> "here are a few different things in Tux Paint that KidPix doesn't have
> that are nice: The magic function (but it selects outside the area you
> want to edit sometimes, i.e.. lighten/darken)   Realistic stamps -
> stamps have more size options (but no index, have to scroll through
> everything) The undo function goes back more than one step (nice!) Slide
> show easy to set up, but can't save it.

I've been curious as to how a 'saved slideshow' would work.  One way I've
imagined is to create an animated GIF out of the various PNGs, but then
I'm not sure how or if we'd want to be able to load the _GIF_ back up for
playback in Tux Paint.

(And, if MNG were more mature and commonly supported, I'd be suggesting
that format, rather than GIF.)


> "There are some things [TuxPaint] doesn't have [that KidPix does] that
> are useful:
> 
> - Text is not reselectable/movable once you switch to a different
> function


I'm assuming text in Kid Pix lives in its own, un-touchable world.
In Tux Paint, you can type some text, then draw over it, apply magic
effects to it, etc.  It simply /becomes/ part of the picture, just
as a line, square, stamp or rainbow would.


> No backgrounds to select (KidPix has a lot)

Do Tux Paint's "starters" not cover this?  (e.g., the reef, skyline, etc.)
I know there aren't so many, yet...


> - Not as many characters to select - for illustrating a story (would
> like more in KidPix even)

Characters?  I assume you're talking about Tux the Penguin?  If so, I
certainly would love more 'people' to put into Tux Paint.  They could even
come with clothes/costumes as separate stamps, so you could paste
'generic guy' or 'generic gal' on the picture, and then turn them into
police officers, clowns, football players, etc., by stamping on top of them.


> - Not as many colors to select to use;

This can be altered, although not in a user-friendly GUI way.
See the OPTIONS documentation:

  http://www.tuxpaint.org/docs/html/OPTIONS.html

(Search in that page for the keyword "colorfile".)


Here's an example file which reproduces the colors that Tux Paint currently
comes with:  http://www.tuxpaint.org/docs/default_colors.txt

This is a new feature, and still kind of experimental, admittedly...


> no texture to select within each color

This would, I suppose, be like the 'pattern' option in The Gimp.
(e.g., draw with a repeating texture, rather than a solid color.)
Duly noted. :)


> - Kids can't save to their [own] file - every station would have
> everyone's art - and can be deleted by anyone

Ah, but you can.  Along with Tux Paint Config and/or editing the
configuration text file by hand, there is a simply little GUI solution for
this that's admittedly not very mature, but should do the trick.

See:  ftp://ftp.tuxpaint.org/unix/x/tuxpaint/savedir/
 

Also, how well Tux Paint works out-of-the-box depends on how bizarrely
the network/logins are set up.  Seems to be that "everyone shares the
same account" craziness is the rule, rather than the acception.
(No offense intended, sorry. ;^) )


> - There isn't an import option to bring in pictures saved from the
> internet or a digital camera.

Files can be dropped into Tux Paint's "saved" folder, and it can load
various formats (PNG, JPEG, BMP) from the 'Open' screen.


> To sum up:
> 
> "I see Tux Paint as a fun alternative in creating some computer art.  It
> doesn't have the file management capabilities KidPix offers, or some of
> it's artistic options. "
> 
> I am downloading TuxPaint on my workstation and I'll see if I can figure
> out how to do some of the things that our teacher wants kids to do.
> Perhaps you all have some ideas or resources I could pass along?

The tuxpaint-users mailing list is a good start.  Checking over the
documentation (FAQ, OPTIONS, etc.) can be helpful, too.

And, as you've learned... just ask!  I'm happy to help!  (A little time
constrained lately, tho.  http://www.newbreedsoftware.com/bill/photos/wrk/ )

Thanks and take care!


*WHEW*

-- 
-bill!
bi...@ne...
http://www.newbreedsoftware.com/