[scribus] Views of users

[John Beardmore]

joseph harris wrote:
> From: "John Beardmore"

> The factors are both easier to see and rather more complex than you 
> suggest. Time for learning is often a major factor for users. It is one 
> thing to be involved with major projects and/or regular use, quite 
> another to need a relatively easy to use solution monthly or maybe less.
> 
> Some of us recognise the great advantages of scribus for control and 
> fitting the program to the need, but the learning curves are steep and 
> long - even if you come from familiarity with other DTP solutions and 
> have looked at Linux with a nervous eye.

With Pagemaker and InDesign experience, and more or less without 
documentation, it only took about an hour and a half to satisfy myself 
that scribus could be used for our reports.

As learning curves go, that's pretty 'down hill'.


> In that sense John I think it is literally correct to say that levels of 
> knowledge are that low, but only in the specified sphere of not choosing 
> or seeking a specified solution.
> 
> Scribus appears to be a remarkable program for sorting out the precise 
> needs of a particular publication or document, but how many truly need 
> that level of sophistication?

Well -  few people need all of the features in any software.

Could I do our work in less feature rich software ?  Yes, but I'd spend 
all my time missing things. I miss quite a few things as it is !


> And it is more related to that Lars, 
> rather than pretty packaging, which sends the 'society newsletter 
> editor' to Word or Serif or OO. Not to mention the author whose tome has 
> engaged her or him for 18 months and simply wants a way to have a final 
> script in a form that prints intelligently, even if many self-publish that.
> 
> I would say that, while the appearance of scribus is moving the right 
> way it looks more intimidating than many other DPT programs, and as 
> discussed daily on this list still contains all sorts of problems.

I don't think it's any more intimidating that InDe or Pagemaker.


> There 
> is too the incredibly important issue of finding tutorial, instruction 
> or answers online, let alone in manual form.

True, but that's being addressed.


> If the aim is to produce an incredibly sophisticated and adaptable DTP 
> and print preparation program you have undoubtedly been highly 
> successful,

Agreed.


> and its continued advance is impressive. But if you are 
> asking why more people don't use it - especially as it is free - then 
> you need to understand why M$, Adobe, Serif and a host of others are so 
> successful in the 'expensive pretty packet' market place.

Actually, do you know how sales of those packages compares to downloads 
of Scribus ?

I wouldn't be surprised if despite being an unfinished product, scribus 
had a noticeable market share.


> And the answer is they make people think their products are easy to use 
> [sometimes they even are!].

Quite.


Cheers, J/.
-- 
John Beardmore, MSc EDM (Open), B.A. Chem (Oxon), CMIOSH, AIEMA, MEI
Managing Director, T4 Sustainability Limited. http://www.T4sLtd.co.uk/
Carbon Trust Consultant: Energy Audit, Carbon Footprint, Design Advice
Energy Efficiency Accreditation Scheme, (EEAS), Registered Assessor
Phone: 0845 4561332   Mobile: 07785 563116   Skype: t4sustainability