Re: [Gretl-users] Re: Splash Screen Mark-II
Lurker here...I think Talha needs some encouragement.
I think a litttle splash screeen used SOMEWHERE can help Gretl. Good to have
the acronym explained. Sex sells. In the old time radio forum old-timers are
amazed that shiny radios sell for big bucks (refinished to be shinier than
when new). Maybe place the full Gretl girl image in the background near the
last crumb/bean. Maybe a smaller Hansel (from the rear) ahead of Gretl. Then
have an info box near the bottom of the moon. Keep plugging away everyone. I
used Gretl with a low level stat class a few years ago and it was very
useful...
Thanks very much for the encouragement but I see that they have their
minds set on the existing image, at least for now. I thought this is
one thing that I could do to help and I did it. I also agree that this
discussion is unnecessarily long now. So I will just a make a few
final comments of my own:
1- I strongly disagree with the logic that:
no-one is making money out of gretl -> we don't have to SELL gretl
-> gretl has no need to "look professional".
However, I strongly agree that:
Consequence: I'd personally like to see widespread adoption of
gretl all
around the world, but on its technical merits alone (in a wide sense: I
consider being GPL'ed a technical merit).
The thing is, most people still don't know about GPL and other
technical merits of gretl. When I show my bleeding edge xgl/compiz
enabled linux desktop to people, the reaction I get is "And all this
is free???". They cannot yet grasp the underlying philosophy.
Similarly, people that I show gretl has the impression that it looks
basic and amateurish, even though it is quite the contrary. First
impressions are important.
2- This is why I proposed a more professional looking splash screen.
The keyword here is "more professional". I am not a professional
graphic designer in the sense that I never got paid for doing any
graphic design. However, I did a few things and I consider myself
better than most people.
The problem with the existing image is that it is ripped from a web
log. There is no copyright info there because that is in turn ripped
from a children's tale book probably. Consequently, I thought an
original design would be an improvement over what was already there.
3- The second design is not a splash screen. It is intended as an
"about" screen as Allin proposed a few days ago. This is why it is
bigger and more square-like.
4- I really admire all the work you are putting into this project.
Allin and Jack and the other guys involved is a source of inspiration.
Of course it is your right to have the final saying over all issues. I
don't feel let down or disappointed. Really :) I did something I knew
I could do, so I did it. If you find a use of it, feel free to use any
of the two designs but this is it from me for now. As I have more time
available in the near future, I would like to continue to make some
small contributions to the project. Maybe I can help with localization
or ducumentation.
Have a great day...
Talha
(I cannot say anything about the quality of code, but being written in
C and all the attention to detail, it must be very good)
1- The second one