It's been a while since featuring any one of Linux great art teams and artists. We wanted to pick a distro that's big in stature among the more popular Linux operating systems. Puppy Linux, though smaller in physical size than most, can hold its' own and then some with the rest.
We hope you enjoy this art team feature and we'd like to thank Lobster for taking the time to share some insights in the workings of Puppys graphics art design and development. Please introduce the members of Puppy Linux that are involved in the graphics artwork of the distro.Professional artwork has been done recently by jebaJQ8 (Puppy 4.2 logo) and Rastapix from Italy (Puppy logo). I usually call on these guys for something special.
What other Linux distros have you done work for? Linux Tmxxine - my puplet (Pimped Puppy)
What drew you to Puppy Linux?Puppy runs faster and simpler on all the hardware I have. Barry Kauler generously provides Puppy.
Our intrepid team of Puppys (Puppy users) are all good guys. We are now expanding rapidly.
Puppy is being built to Puppy speed and simplicity using Ubuntu (Upup), Debian (Dpup) and Slackware (Spup) binaries and the new Woof builf system. I run Puppy from RW-DVD or USB keydrive on a netbook. When all my hard drives went, I used a multi-session Puppy. Puppy just keeps going.
What are your favorite Linux graphics software programs?I use XaraLX (simple add on as SFS - a squashfile housed in Puppys home directory), Mtpaint (inPuppy) and sometimes InkscapeLite (Puppy special). Occasionally I use Gimp.
Does the general community contribute artworkMany of our Puppys love to contribute artwork
http://puppylin.freehostia.com/
How does input from the community figure into the final decision on what artwork will be used? Who has the last word on design and artwork?Puppy is anarchic and often artwork is in use before anyone has decided what to use. Like it? Use it. Job done. I create artwork as I need it and use it immediately. If more is required or available, it gets used by those coding or providing pages, web sites etc
For example the superpup logo has just sort of evolved from a variety of efforts . . .
As operating systems evolve so does their artwork. In what direction or development would you like to see your artwork go pertaining to the future of Puppy Linux? Puppy evolves by natural selection chaotic organisation and Puppytude (Puppy good attitude) our artwork will evolve on a similar basis
Any thoughts on current ease of use of Linux graphics software. What improvements or changes would you like to see made?I would like to see Xaralx completely and properly ported to Linux and or the code used. Gimp continues to improve. A good graphic program should not interfere or impede the creative process.
Some seem to have been created by programmers, without sufficient input from the creative users.
Artists do not read manuals. Simple is more usable and fun. Fun is . . . well . . . fun!
There are a lot of new distros popping up every week. Is there any advice you'd pass on pertaining to the graphics art side of distro building? Puppy has many mini distros, with personalised graphics (puplets). The environment that a program works in and from is part of the end user experience. Program your thinking around the end user experience and you will succeed.
If someone wanted to get involved with Puppy Linux artwork where would they go?Just enter the kennel and start doodling
http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/index.php?f=37
Is there anything else you'd like to add? Artwork includes fonts, poems, videos, artistic presentations, work on websites, manuals and other dog biscuits We welcome the creative spirit. The genius programmer and end user. Everyone is welcome at Puppy.
Again, we'd like to thank Lobster for taking the time to guide us through the workings of the graphics art side of Puppy Linux.
