Are there any printers who are working with files created from Open Source Software, such as Scribus, GIMP, etc.?

Hello,

Welcome. I am working at a 30 million dollar a year printer and I run the prepress and digital printing departments. I see zero penetration of these open source apps into graphic arts use. The only Open Source that I do see is people using Open Office to send simple text docments and such. Quark, Indesign, and Adobe Photoshop are such complex applications that I just don't see them being unseated.

I do think an Open source Adobe Acrobat and Distiller Killer would be adopted if it came to fruit. Recently Adobe pissed off the whole industry with its submit to Kinko's Plug-In. Adobe backed off, if not that would hasten an Acrobat Open Source replacemnent to be pushed out. Adobe Acrobat is simply a veiewer and printer with a few simple features and seems like would be the easiest graphic arts application to unseat with an open source project, that would be cool.
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JoePostscript -- support administrator

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Wind Turbine Buyer's Guide


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This is an interesting topic that is dear to my heart. Although officially we don't take in any native file type of OpenSource page layout software, there is no reason why we couldn't take in a PDFX-1a generated from one of these OpenSource programs. Pretty much all of them have some way to export a PDF and for the most part all of them use the wonderful GhostScript utility to generate and manipulate PDFs on the fly. And where the PDF workflow is becoming more and more the primary means to submit content for print, this means less expensive or even free software can be a way to greatly lower the cost of entry into the print production world.

I currently run a development system comprising of a Dell Optiplex workstation running Ubuntu Linux with Scribus as my page layout application, GIMP for graphics editing and Inkscape for my illustration needs. All of these applications use or can use GhostScript to generate PDF, PS, or EPS output in addition to their native output. GhostScript can use Adobe generated job option files/profiles to generate the appropriate type of PDF (PDFX-1A, PDFX-3, etc...).

Just like you normally wouldn't submit Microsoft Office documents for press output, I do not recommend using OpenOffice applications to produce press (not) ready content. That's not what those applications are designed for.

One more word of note: Most of the above applications work on Windows and Macs so you don't necessarily have to switch to Linux to use them.

Here are some links to the above applications and some relevant articles:

• Ubuntu Linux: http://www.ubuntu.com
  
• Scribus: http://www.scribus.net
  
• GIMP: http://www.gimp.org
  
• Inkscape: http://www.inkscape.org
  
• GhostScript: http://ghostscript.com
  
• TechRepublic Article on Scribus: http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/5100-6347_11-5543892.html
  
• Linux.com Article about a Book Publisher using OpenSource: http://www.linux.com/articles/36822
  

I thought about making FreeFlight an Open Source application, it is freeware. But I just thought it would take more time to manage that way. Since I am not familiar with how all that works, it would be a drag away from my other software I'm afraid. What do you think of that since you seem really interested in Open Source. I wonder how many other capable prepress guys would be available and willing to work on FreeFlight as an Open Source project?

I have had allot of interest for a windows version, it is an intel native app, but has to use many Mac Only features to do some things. So, doing a Windows version is not a simple port over, many things would have to be adapted.

Definitely would be nice to have help with feature requests to improve it. Since it's FreeWare I have to make new features at a cost and only when time is permitting.

Thanks allot for your post, I too find this all very interesting and am going to browse through some of these links here.
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JoePostscript -- support administrator

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Wind Turbine Buyer's Guide


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According to this article in Linux Magazine:

http://www.linux-mag.com/id/1970/?r=s

The latest version of Scribus already has some pre-flighting abilities.

That being said, the power of Open Source and/or Free (as in freedom) Software (depending on what faith system you believe in) is the diversity and choice in solutions to technology issues. So having another project for pre-flighting is a valuable endeavor and may lead to an even better product. The other thing about Open Source and Free Software is that it is really easy to setup and maintain a project. One simply creates a project on Sourceforge.net, freshmeat.org or one of many other code hosting sites and then invites others to look at and help improve the code base. You setup the governing rules as to how you would like to see the code written/maintained and delegate authority to your key coders. The most critical part is picking the right license to license the software under. My suggestion would be the MIT software license as that seems to be the most compatible among all of the licenses out there and does not have a political agenda like some other licenses out there like GPL, BSD or the Microsoft SharedSource license.

I don't consider myself a programmer and am not much use when it comes to those issues, but organizing, marketing and supporting are definitely up my alley.

All that being said, it may be more suitable to you to offer your source code to the Scribus group where they already have an existing community that has the experience in the areas you mention needing help (porting for example). It also helps to make that application an even more valuable tool for us graphics and pre-press folks.
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Timothy Boyden
Network Administrator
MailCoups, Inc.

Expertise: Windows, Mac, Linux/UNIX Support, Adobe CS, Quark, Prinergy Connect/Insite, Programming (PHP, VB, CSH, HTML), Trendsetter News 50, Magnum/Didde Presses

Hi Timothy,

What a neat idea that is. After looking at the Scribus page I see that is a really nice idea. For any layout application, what would make it really industrial strength, preflight abilities. Not a bad idea. Not sure if they have any plug-in/xtension type archtecture but I'm going to look at that. Maybe I will have some of my guys here download Scribus and see what's up with Scribus.
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JoePostscript -- support administrator

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Wind Turbine Buyer's Guide


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Yeah it's definitely a great idea and one of the best ways to contribute to Open Source software and is why companies like IBM and Oracle are so liked in the Open Source community due to their support and contributions.

Scribus does have a plug-in architecture based on Python (yuck) and there are many programmers in that community that would offer to help convert your code. The best way to get envolved is to join their developers e-mail list and shoot the maintainers an e-mail regarding your intent to contribute code. They'll help you get it into the eco-system the quickest and most compatible way.

I can't wait for the improvements!

Thanks for your help!
_________________
Timothy Boyden
Network Administrator
MailCoups, Inc.

Expertise: Windows, Mac, Linux/UNIX Support, Adobe CS, Quark, Prinergy Connect/Insite, Programming (PHP, VB, CSH, HTML), Trendsetter News 50, Magnum/Didde Presses