about Cairo,

it's a work in progress, and they work hard inside of it's core - each new version it's a visible step forward (at least for me). Indeed is slow maybe for now but the sky is the limit here on the Open Source side. Time is on the Open Source side.

On closed source work flow - it's not so easy, limited number of engineers, other specifications, other timeframe, etc ..for example ask Charles Moir how much time take for Xara Dev. team to get CDraw as is right now.

Also - as I said before - which professional designer need to work with free software ? Why I care about Cairo, if XaraXtreme Pro for Linux could give me what I need, I don't care about the rendering engine. My scope is to do my job - not to use free tools for professional grade work.

Inkscape, Gimp - are wonderful tools now - but becoming Pro tools ( in paralel with free versions ) they can get a quick advance ( mode dedicate developers, a precise production roadmap, etc ). I don't see any harm here.

Free Inkscape, Xara, Gimp for teaching and for homework - Inkscape Pro, XaraXtreme Pro, Gimp Pro - for professional DTP / Webdesign work.

That's the correct, sane way.