[Gretl-users] Re: Splash Screen Mark-II

[Talha Yalta]

> Lurker here...I think Talha needs some encouragement.
>
> I think a litttle splash screeen used SOMEWHERE can help Gretl. Good to have
> the acronym explained. Sex sells. In the old time radio forum old-timers are
> amazed that shiny radios sell for big bucks (refinished to be shinier than
> when new).  Maybe place the full Gretl girl image in the background near the
> last crumb/bean. Maybe a smaller Hansel (from the rear) ahead of Gretl. Then
> have an info box near the bottom of the moon. Keep plugging away everyone. I
> used Gretl with a low level stat class a few years ago and it was very
> useful...

Thanks very much for the encouragement but I see that they have their
minds set on the existing image, at least for now. I thought this is
one thing that I could do to help and I did it. I also agree that this
discussion is unnecessarily long now. So I will just a make a few
final comments of my own:

1- I strongly disagree with the logic that:
no-one is making money out of gretl -> we don't have to SELL gretl
-> gretl has no need to "look professional".

However, I strongly agree that:
>Consequence: I'd personally like to see widespread adoption of gretl all
>around the world, but on its technical merits alone (in a wide sense: I
>consider being GPL'ed a technical merit).

The thing is, most people still don't know about GPL and other
technical merits of gretl. When I show my bleeding edge xgl/compiz
enabled linux desktop to people, the reaction I get is "And all this
is free???". They cannot yet grasp the underlying philosophy.
Similarly, people that I show gretl has the impression that it looks
basic and amateurish, even though it is quite the contrary. First
impressions are important.

2- This is why I proposed a more professional looking splash screen.
The keyword here is "more professional". I am not a professional
graphic designer in the sense that I never got paid for doing any
graphic design. However, I did a few things and I consider myself
better than most people.

The problem with the existing image is that it is ripped from a web
log. There is no copyright info there because that is in turn ripped
from a children's tale book probably. Consequently, I thought an
original design would be an improvement over what was already there.

3- The second design is not a splash screen. It is intended as an
"about" screen as Allin proposed a few days ago. This is why it is
bigger and more square-like.

4- I really admire all the work you are putting into this project.
Allin and Jack and the other guys involved is a source of inspiration.
Of course it is your right to have the final saying over all issues. I
don't feel let down or disappointed. Really :) I did something I knew
I could do, so I did it. If you find a use of it, feel free to use any
of the two designs but this is it from me for now. As I have more time
available in the near future, I would like to continue to make some
small contributions to the project. Maybe I can help with localization
or ducumentation.

Have a great day...
Talha






(I cannot say anything about the quality of code, but being written in
C and all the attention to detail, it must be very good)

1- The second one