Steal This Film

The first week of the Authorship & Interaction module we looked at a variety of open source software and downloaded the following programs:

-GIMP (GNU image manipulation program)
-Blender (3D Graphics and Animation software)
-Inkscape (Vector Graphics)
-FontForge (Font Editor)
-Scribus (Page Layout)
-Processing (Programming Language)
&
-Arduino (Open Source Electronic Platform)

FLOSS- Free, Libre, Open Source Software:

While at the download party we were introduced to FLOSSmanuals.net, a resource which collects original documentation about free software. Their core aim, making it easier to access, edit and collaborate on manuals and text books regarding free software.

In comparison with Adobe CC, the open source programs were fairly difficult to download.
The overall design of the programs weren't as polished and professional looking as other software. However, there are some obvious pro's to open source software, for instance the majority of the programs we downloaded gave the user access to the code, meaning that you could customize the software to suit individual needs. Not only is the software free in the sense that it gives the user freedom to create and manipulate the code, but it is also literally, free.
In comparison with the Adobe suite this is a much more inclusive creative community, the price of other programs tend to generate an elitist stigma.

As someone who has been using the Adobe creative suite for some years, I found the programs difficult to navigate but have shown some of my own exploration with a few of the programs on this page and throughout my research document.

GIMP v. Photoshop- Interface Design Comparison

Links to places where I've used these programs throughout this module:

As mentioned previously I feel that there are pro's and con's of open source software. Particularly, I have found the interfaces are lacking in ease and usability, though this could be down to my lack of experience. Above I have the Adobe Photoshop CC and the GIMP interface, I used both programs to edit screen shots, correcting the colour, cropping and saving the file as a PNG to upload to HotGlue.

The toolbar's on both programs show very similar functions. However on GIMP I found it particularly difficult to navigate the symbols and things like cropping aren't clearly signposted to a new user.

Although I see the value of open source software, while I have access to the creative suite I won't be making the change to GIMP.

With bigger image manipulation projects I imagine I'd get to grips with the software more and that may further convince me to utilize and contribute more to open source programs.

Inkscape- Creating a vector graphic

After looking at the interface on GIMP, I wanted to continue to use the open source software to see if the difficulty in use is a wide spread issue. Using inkscape I created a vector graphic of a lion. I was surprised to find that the interface on Inkscape is far easier to navigate than GIMP. Although the program doesn't look as professional as something like Illustrator, I feel the ease of use is very similar. The range of tools is extensive and this program is something I could consider using again.

Scribus an open source program that focus's on page layout. A variety of people use this software, from making greetings cards to 100 page documents, it really is what you make of it.
One of the things that I particularly like about open source software is that its so malleable.
Although I didn't create anything in Scribus, I think I'll file it away for the future and explore it at a later date.

Blender- WHAT AND HOW?!

Open source software is beneficial to the expanding design industry, it maintains the individuality of the designer in a time where many are feeling trapped by software giants such as Adobe. Open source software creates communities that are inclusive and they give the opportunity to amateur and professional designers alike to manipulate and use them in any way the choose. The benefits are extensive.

Within the module I have used a variety of open source software. Programs such as Arduino, I truly understand the benefit of, they are well designed, innovative new spaces for people to collaborate and create. However, programs such as GIMP, I personally can't enjoy to the same extent.
The similar Adobe programs are far easier to navigate and look far more professional.
Although I feel there is a solid argument for open source software becoming more wide-spread, it allows many people to access and create using free platforms, and freedom is essential in an industry that has the ability to be exclusive and linear.

After several tries at using Blender I have stopped attempting to use software that clearly doesn't want me to use it. Out of all the software we downloaded I find this the most challenging to understand. Without many tutorials online that assume you are a complete beginner it's difficult to see how any designer can get to grips with the interface.

Alongside the download party the first week of the module also introduced us to the concepts of the documentary 'Steal This Film'.
The film documents the views of a variety of people about the movement against intellectual property.

Featured heavily in the documentary are the creators of internationally famed site 'The Pirate Bay' expressing their opinion on particularly American culture and the reaction to 'stealing' music, films etc. The documentary also includes views from members of the public and people from the film and music industry.

The film raises a lot of questions: what would truly 'free' industries mean?
Where does the money come from, if not from the consumer?
Who is impacted by pirating products?

Although I'm not sure I agree with some of the views expressed in the film, I do think that file sharing will always be something that's happening, and forcing it to be underground is in no way a positive reaction to people exploring the limits of freedom and speech and free culture.

"The market is not nature, Hollywood can't outlaw social change" - Steal This Film, Part 1

Through-out this module we did come across the word 'free' often.
The freedom to share, create and interact with the things we consume, be it films, music or software, is integral to the development of a new culture.

A culture where the users have more equal control and aren't just blindly obliging to the supposed rigid rules of how we should be utilizing the things we supposedly own. This will continue to create a more innovative and inclusive culture for artists and consumers alike.