The main reason we need to push for open source alternatives is this. The more people learn how to use them the more content around them we get and more people take interest in using it and helping develop it (and donate to it).
I went to Affinity Photo and Illustrator years ago, and I’m a fan. One time purchase, easy to use, and full tutorials from the creators on Vimeo. Only downside is that it’s only available on Apple devices. Turns out it’s available on Windows now too.
I hear you. I used to use GIMP before I paid for PS. I bailed when Adobe went subscription, and figured I’d try Affinity for $10. It’s worth every penny. I’d get behind an open source alternative again if it met my needs.
I can understand it, I almost paid for Davinci Resolve Studio due to it still being the most complete video editor that works on Linux, most of the time closed source apps function better (specially due to the biggest funding), but still, using open source whenever you can basically prevents this from ever happening (specially after Canva bought Affinity, I’d keep an eye out for the eventual enshittification)
This. Right here.
The main reason we need to push for open source alternatives is this. The more people learn how to use them the more content around them we get and more people take interest in using it and helping develop it (and donate to it).
I went to Affinity Photo and Illustrator years ago, and I’m a fan. One time purchase, easy to use, and full tutorials from the creators on Vimeo.
Only downside is that it’s only available on Apple devices.Turns out it’s available on Windows now too.https://affinity.serif.com
Affinity is also on Windows - at least Designer is. I’ve been using it for a couple of years now.
My mistake. That’s good to know! I’ll edit my comment for clarity. I think they launched as Apple only years ago. I’m glad to hear they’re growing.
I think you’re right that they were Apple only for a few years at least.
And it’s a huge downside. Meanwhile open source apps are usually available on every platform, with no purchase required.
I hear you. I used to use GIMP before I paid for PS. I bailed when Adobe went subscription, and figured I’d try Affinity for $10. It’s worth every penny. I’d get behind an open source alternative again if it met my needs.
I can understand it, I almost paid for Davinci Resolve Studio due to it still being the most complete video editor that works on Linux, most of the time closed source apps function better (specially due to the biggest funding), but still, using open source whenever you can basically prevents this from ever happening (specially after Canva bought Affinity, I’d keep an eye out for the eventual enshittification)
And they have a -50% flash sale.
Imagine that timing.
Is there an open source PDF editor? I would really love anything other than acrobat.
You can host your own version of stirling. It’s open source and can do all sorts of things with pdf
https://github.com/Stirling-Tools/Stirling-PDF