[Gimp-developer] Getting the recognition that GIMP deserves

[Mathew Oakes <mathew oakes memechine org>]

I hope this is a suitable place to post this.

2.8 is shaping up as a great release!

Opening the 2.7.3 distribution crystallised in my mind, the core problem inhibiting greater acceptance of the GIMP. 

The quasi-bestial bondage image on the loading screen is unnecessarily disturbing. As a first impression for all new users, the loading screen needs to highlight features and benefits of the program and help explain to the user what's in it for them. 

The whole gimp/bondage pun might have been worth a chuckle years ago, but unfortunately it's not a useful idea for promoting graphic software. The pun distracts away from the important message of what the software is and what it does -- and confuses it with undesirable perverse behaviour. The confused 'brand' becomes is an unnecessary barrier for many people to use the software. 

From the perspective of new/naive users:

• Is it NSFW? What about a school?
• Why should I treat this software seriously?

To really get the recognition and use that GIMP deserves, it needs to evolve its identity.