Bistro Bijou

[Homburg]

You're welcome. I find GIMP a little overwhelming when I just want to edit a picture or do basic skinning, so I tend to use Paint.NET for the simple things.

As much as I dig it, I find it overwhelming at times too. The learning curve can be steep. I'd hate to think how lost I'd be if I didn't have a tiny little bit of experience with these sorts of programs.

 

[the Snood]

Oiiiiiiiiiiiiii I resent that most strongly and even if it was true (though by what you make that assumption I've no idea) I even more strongly resent you telling the bloody world !!! Oh sure lets make things easy for the blonde and talk down to her while we are at it!

Um, I do not know by what metric he determined that you use dialup but it would be relevant as GIMP's no small download.

Conversely, you said that you'd fiddled with it to no avail, so dialup or not we may presume that you have access to it.

Lastly, GIMP has been known to intimidate people who edit photos for a living should they be excessively accustomed to PhotoShop or Elements - you did admit that you'd had little success with it

GIMP is clean and orderly, but not designed with the standardised interface and so can confuse at first.

Further, using GIMP to simply add text is akin to driving the truck tractor to the end of the driveway to check the mailbox. While it is so capable, maybe something a little simpler without so many widgets, steps and options would do as well.

Anyway, I doubt that he meant any disrespect.

FYE, a mini-tutorial on adding text with the GIMP may be found here.

Once you've edited the image, you'll want to save it as a JPEG or GIF, and GIMP'll tell you that dataa will be lost. So be it; let it flatten and export the image and you'll be set.

You also might want to save the image in the native GIMP format so as to ease future editing.

Snood

 

[Safe_Bet]

You know what, Annie, I was just trying to help. I've tried for more than a year to get that program right, and I was just offering an idea that there might be something easier. Fact is, I'm only repeating things I've read on these threads. I didn't think you would resent it. I deeply apologize if I offended you. It was not my intention. I don't think of you that way at all, never have. If you've not learned that I feel that way from my posts the past year, then I'm sorry. Maybe I haven't been clear enough, and if that's the case, then I'll be really careful in the future.

Just trying to help.

Sorry, sorry, sorry.

That was beary, beary nice of you!

Now about those baby seal pups you keep eating...

 

[CeriseNoire]

As much as I dig it, I find it overwhelming at times too. The learning curve can be steep. I'd hate to think how lost I'd be if I didn't have a tiny little bit of experience with these sorts of programs.

I was introduced to both program at an in-service workshop. The instructor suggested we start with Paint.NET to get familiar with image editing, and then move up to GIMP.

 

[Angeline]

I have Adobe Photoshop Elements, but it's not the most user-friendly program around, so I usually use the photoediting program that came with my printer software (in my case, something called Cannon PhotoStudio). I can use it to resize photos, put text on them, change colors, use a bunch of different special effects. And if I actually want to draw something, then I can do it in MS Paint and import the drawing into the photoediting software. I really only need Photoshop for animations and special effects that involve layering. I'm all about using the easiest way possible to do what I want.

 

[Anschul]

For photo editing, I actually use a thing called GimpShop (sorry, Snood), which is a hack of Gimp set up to make The Gimp look and feel a bit more like PhotoShop. I started with the Gimp because I like the notion of using (and supporting--get it, Snoodie--I actually donated to Gimp) open-source software rather than supporting the giants. It's the same principle as I use OpenOffice instead of MS Office, and FireFox, ThunderBird, and SunBird from Mozilla.
I started down this road in an effort to determine just how much freeware and open-source I could use INSTEAD of commercial software, so that in my work as a consultant, I could make recommendations to small businesses who might not be able to afford the big software programs. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. There's still no good freeware or open-source substitute for Adobe Premier, for example. Some folks say I'm just cheap. I'm not sure they're wrong. But still, there are a lot of people who want to be able to do stuff, but can't afford more than a thousand bucks for software for a small home computer.

For my text on pictures, I use an elegant illustrator called Arts & Letters (dub dub dub dot arts-letters dot com ). The people who developed this program have been a client of my freelance work for more than twenty years, and they have developed a slick, VERY easy-to-use high-capability illustrator that can do everything that the big players, such as Adobe Illustrator can, but also includes more than 15,000 ready-to-use design elements (arrows, boxes, lines, icons, and such). Very few people know who they are, as they are not high visibility in the commercial software market, but have many, many government contracts to provide software for federal agencies.

Sorry...I do ramble on.

Supper tonight is chickens cooked on the grill, with a Zen-simple marinade I developed, fresh-picked corn on the cob and Swiss chard sauteed in garlic and olive oil, plus a cobbler made from peaches I picked myself this morning at a local farm (this Lancaster place is pretty good for farm-fresh food. Right, LadynS?

 

[Angeline]

Bistro Fridge Poetry

For Safe_Bet.

I couldn't find the zombie sonnet, but I found another disco sonnet that may have been written for the same challenge. Apparently I have written at least two disco poems, which is frightening to me.


Back in the day when we were young and lithe
we danced like mad to turn the beat around.
Spoon up the nose, lucite heels, spandex blithe.
Now we limp, wheeze, groan~

Hey! Turn down the sound!

What's that up my nose? A lil Vasiline
My left nostril's been fucked since eighty-four
Slow that boogie down, this old disco queen
has hips that don't move so fast anymore.
My brickhouse done crumbled like cheap plywood.
I used to be young but now I'm learnin
When you're out late not eating like you should,
your heart and feet will be burnin, burnin.
Damn I used to be one glittering fox.
Whadja say sonny? Oh. Make mine Maalox.

 

[Homburg]

(Realised that this post should be in Lit Blog)

 

[Safe_Bet]

Sweet Jeasily Chistmas - THAT was the way to have a party! At 3:30 the party people swept in and set everything up; at 4:00 we did the ring thing; then waiter's with 'roving' trays of horseovaries & wine and at 6:00 everybody out - party people are now spit shining my living room, patio and kitchen! Whoo Hoo! Didn't lift one tiny lil' finger! I'm calm, very married and I don't have to clean diddly- don't get no better than that!

Girls and Amy are off for a nap and life is wonderful.

 

[Safe_Bet]

I don't care what anybody says - I like my poster maker!

http://www.faphost.com/images/b8z48dwjgabpmovo0e3.jpg​

 

[champagne1982]

Ange was saying she was the only disco inferno writer.. weeellll.. that's not so.

Disco Inferno

I fell into a soggy sponge cake,
A poet's dark vision of hell
When I turned around I couldn't help but sniff
A horrid, burning smell.

What set light to the fuel
Causing this black, oily smoke?
Did the glitter ball cast brilliant sparks
Igniting the chest of a hairy bloke?

His golden medallions nestling cozily there,
Amidst polyester folds and wiry, black hair.

Flamboyant twists and vibrant twirls,
Tight, pastel pants draw girlish eyes
To his lean, masculine hips,
And taut, muscular thighs.

Desire burns as the music throbs
Could the cake be ruined in the rain?
Will the chains catch in a chest dark with hair
Bringing hot, torrid, post-disco pain?

His golden medallions nestling cozily there,
Amidst polyester folds and wiry, black hair.

With a grind of his hips and gleaming smile
His cherry picking fingers up in the air,
He enflames his girl's passions
With his macho flare.

She moves, a shadow of darkened grace,
Her black satin dress a subdued foil
Against his bright plummage, dowdy,
Lest the glare of the peacock she spoil.

His golden medallions nestling cozily there,
Amidst polyester folds and wiry, black hair.

Look at the denizens of this smoky pit
So powerfully entranced!
'Twas the devil's conception, this place
Where demonic Hustlers danced.

Full of sex and drugs and pounding bass,
Is Satan's Fiery Disco,
Taunting them with bright, flashing lights
Come dance for eternity in this inferno.

His golden medallions nestling cozily there,
Amidst polyester folds and wiry, black hair.

 

[Angeline]

Ange was saying she was the only disco inferno writer.. weeellll.. that's not so.

Disco Inferno

I fell into a soggy sponge cake,
A poet's dark vision of hell
When I turned around I couldn't help but sniff
A horrid, burning smell.

What set light to the fuel
Causing this black, oily smoke?
Did the glitter ball cast brilliant sparks
Igniting the chest of a hairy bloke?

His golden medallions nestling cozily there,
Amidst polyester folds and wiry, black hair.

Flamboyant twists and vibrant twirls,
Tight, pastel pants draw girlish eyes
To his lean, masculine hips,
And taut, muscular thighs.

Desire burns as the music throbs
Could the cake be ruined in the rain?
Will the chains catch in a chest dark with hair
Bringing hot, torrid, post-disco pain?

His golden medallions nestling cozily there,
Amidst polyester folds and wiry, black hair.

With a grind of his hips and gleaming smile
His cherry picking fingers up in the air,
He enflames his girl's passions
With his macho flare.

She moves, a shadow of darkened grace,
Her black satin dress a subdued foil
Against his bright plummage, dowdy,
Lest the glare of the peacock she spoil.

His golden medallions nestling cozily there,
Amidst polyester folds and wiry, black hair.

Look at the denizens of this smoky pit
So powerfully entranced!
'Twas the devil's conception, this place
Where demonic Hustlers danced.

Full of sex and drugs and pounding bass,
Is Satan's Fiery Disco,
Taunting them with bright, flashing lights
Come dance for eternity in this inferno.

His golden medallions nestling cozily there,
Amidst polyester folds and wiry, black hair.

I think I remember this.

Anyway I meant the poem about the zombies in the disco inferno. I wrote that sonnet, too, because I told Eve I would, but I can't find it now. Not that I'm too disappointed not to find it!

 

[champagne1982]

lol I know how you feel about it. I figured I'd toss this one up but .. it's nearly embarassingly awful.

And cheffie.. the grilled chicken is delightful.

Remember 2 years ago I was still growling about surgery cancellations and delays? Soon, it's my rebirth birthday .

It's good to be alive.

 

[Angeline]

lol I know how you feel about it. I figured I'd toss this one up but .. it's nearly embarassingly awful.

And cheffie.. the grilled chicken is delightful.

Remember 2 years ago I was still growling about surgery cancellations and delays? Soon, it's my rebirth birthday .

It's good to be alive.

I remember. You were gone from here for around two weeks, right? Was it longer? Happy Rebirthday!

 

[champagne1982]

I remember. You were gone from here for around two weeks, right? Was it longer? Happy Rebirthday!

I guess around 2 weeks. My op was on the 20th and I was home by the 26th although not posting until a bit later. I was so tired of my surgeon finding someone more ill than I to operate on. When he got in there, fixed me, then told me what was wrong once I woke up, I was glad I didn't know. It's never good to know you've got an active aneurysm ...

Everything's well and good now, for now. I know there'll be another down the road, I just want it to be far far and away down the road.

 

[sassynyc]

For Safe_Bet.

I couldn't find the zombie sonnet, but I found another disco sonnet that may have been written for the same challenge. Apparently I have written at least two disco poems, which is frightening to me.


Back in the day when we were young and lithe
we danced like mad to turn the beat around.
Spoon up the nose, lucite heels, spandex blithe.
Now we limp, wheeze, groan~

Hey! Turn down the sound!

What's that up my nose? A lil Vasiline
My left nostril's been fucked since eighty-four
Slow that boogie down, this old disco queen
has hips that don't move so fast anymore.
My brickhouse done crumbled like cheap plywood.
I used to be young but now I'm learnin
When you're out late not eating like you should,
your heart and feet will be burnin, burnin.
Damn I used to be one glittering fox.
Whadja say sonny? Oh. Make mine Maalox.

i love this.

I don't care what anybody says - I like my poster maker!

http://www.faphost.com/images/b8z48dwjgabpmovo0e3.jpg​

one sick puppy, you are.

lol I know how you feel about it. I figured I'd toss this one up but .. it's nearly embarassingly awful.

And cheffie.. the grilled chicken is delightful.

Remember 2 years ago I was still growling about surgery cancellations and delays? Soon, it's my rebirth birthday .

It's good to be alive.

champ! great to see you!

 

[Anschul]

lol I know how you feel about it. I figured I'd toss this one up but .. it's nearly embarassingly awful.

And cheffie.. the grilled chicken is delightful.

Remember 2 years ago I was still growling about surgery cancellations and delays? Soon, it's my rebirth birthday .

It's good to be alive.

Yes, Champie, it IS great that you're alive. We here are all pleased. Welcome back. And thanks for the note on supper.

I've put up a whole grilled chicken menu at The Kitchen. Check it out. Good stuff.

And Safe_Bet, I am now terrified to write another sonnet. You DO raise the bar!

 

[Sara Crewe]

It is great to be alive.

Today I didn't just get to see a sea turtle--he was swimming with me. Well, I don't know if he was swimming with me but he was tolerating me swimming with him as he ate.

It was beyond cool. He was massive but so graceful and gentle.

 

[UnderYourSpell]

The reason I don't know how to use that part of the Gimp is quite frankly no one has told me how. All I needed was the instructions! Like most things in life something new needs instructions instead of just fiddling in the dark which was what I attempted and got wrong only to be told it was beyond me! I am mystified though what dial up has to do with it as the part I did have instructions for works just fine. So just to set this straight the key word here is 'instructions' ...... you know those things that come with everything from a new cooker to breeding puppies something I might add I managed well enough to write my own instructions booklet.

 

[Homburg]

The reason I don't know how to use that part of the Gimp is quite frankly no one has told me how. All I needed was the instructions! Like most things in life something new needs instructions instead of just fiddling in the dark which was what I attempted and got wrong only to be told it was beyond me! I am mystified though what dial up has to do with it as the part I did have instructions for works just fine. So just to set this straight the key word here is 'instructions' ...... you know those things that come with everything from a new cooker to breeding puppies something I might add I managed well enough to write my own instructions booklet.

Click on the Help option in GIMP. It will give you a website that you can go to with good help files and some tutorials.

Dial-up mattered, I would guess, because GIMP is not a small download.

 

[the Snood]

For photo editing, I actually use a thing called GimpShop (sorry, Snood) ...

I'm not certain why you feel the need to apologize.

Because it's not mine? It is, just re-shaped slightly. GM's just as glad of someone driving a Chevy with after-market parts and they are to see one that's stock, no?

And anyway, I approve of making programs easy to use for those who use them.

'Course, to regularly get all the latest features, you really should get used to the Right and Proper GIMP...

Snood

 

[loststar]

I'm going to be rumaging around in the kitchen, i'm going to attemp to do a little baking, any requests?

 

[The_Frank_Black]

Maybe something simple like oatmeal raisin cookies with a bit of cinnamon?

Please

 

[UnderYourSpell]

When I first got sent the Gimp I also got very clear instructions for the bit I was using at the time .... all I ever wanted was the same sort of instructions for putting words on pics.

Hi Frank pleased to meet you I'm Annie from across the pond

 

[PandoraGlitters]

I my GIMP -- I use it for everything. I even donated.

I am not sure what's for breakfast today at the Bistro, but I am drinking some very fine coffee. Cuppa Kona, anyone? I suppose Annie's having tea.