Google vs. Adobe Photoshop

[RedSoft]

While work on browser Google Chrome, based on KHTML engine (which was designed for unix-like systems), haven't been finished yet, Google announced that they obtained from group of current developers intellectual rights on GIMP — an open-source graphical editor.

«We tried to negotiate with Adobe about conjunction for a long time, but after another denial we switched our attention to GIMP project» said Adam Wood in his yearly report. «Now Google will fully support and maintain GIMP. We are proud of our new acquisition, which is now almost as functional as Photoshop, and in version 3.0 it will be able to overcome Photoshop's previous achievements in the field of image manipulation» - announced Sebastian Fry, head of Google developement department, in his interview for New York Times. «The name of the editor will not be changed, but however, abbreviation will now mean «Google Image Manipulation Program». The license will also remain as it is, GIMP will still be free software» — added Fry.

During the same interview it was said that Google is not going to change editor's functionality right away, things will go slowly. Google plans to completely remodel program interface and engine. In the future GIMP will easily work with 8-/16-/32-bit colors, support for CIE LAB, YCbCr, CMYK and HDRi will be fully provided. Besides that, GIMP will feature vector layers, brushes categorization via marks, text-editor instrument will be improved. GIMP interface will be more flexible than interface of Adobe Photoshop, images will be stored in tabs (like in browsers), which can be detached to separate window on demand.

It's not a secret to anyone, that Google Summer of Code's purpose is more about the choice of a potentional acquisitions for Google, than actual improvement of programs functionality. It is known, that GIMP developers were not invited to Google Summer of Code 2007. Now it turned out that during that time Google was actively discussing conjunction with Adobe.

Probably, now we can watch the last years of commercial Photoshop and Adobe company, which is having hard times at the moment. Because of economical crisys, company's products are bought rarely, stock has fallen and company is forced to fire staff. We can only sympathize Adobe in their sorrow, but Google we can congratulate with their new perspective acquisition.

The future begins today, and this future is open-source.

[Soquili]

Hello RedSoft,

Welcome to Talkgraphics.

Thanks for the background information about Google acquiring the Gimp.

I have a slight observation about your statement:

The future begins today, and this future is open-source.

Open-source has been around for more than 40 years. When is this future you mention going to take place?

Many programs that were initially open-source have become commercial applications after becoming very popular.

[handrawn]

Hi

something as interesting as this need links - where are they please?

also as its about gimp not photoshop - it should not be in this forum?

[pauland]

I don't think Adobe need be too worried - after all they saw off the threat of Microsoft Paint..

[steve.ledger]

This is a hoax. He's trying to start viral marketing type rumor for whatever reason.
RedSoft has posted the same rubbish in other forums

Google Image Manipulation Program - convenient

[handrawn]

indeed

I would most likely have heard about it, had it been so

[pauland]

LOL, there are other forums?

[haakoo]

Heck,
There's a whole world out there with a yellow ball for light,lifelike colors never seen on my screen and there's water coming from above.

Sorry,couldn't resist,was in quirksmode

Hans

[pauland]

I've heard there's a yellow ball, can't quite see it though..

[steve.ledger]

Yeh that's because it's here at the moment