486 APPENDIX A GETTING AND INSTALLING THE (Web design rates)
486 APPENDIX A GETTING AND INSTALLING THE GIMP GIMP is a GTK+ application. That means its user interface menus, buttons, and so on is made using the GIMP ToolKit. GTK+ was originally developed in order to build the GIMP, but has since become well known on its own as the basis for hundreds of other cross-platform open source applications. If you don t already have GTK+, you ll need to install it: the installa tion instructions for each platform will discuss where to get it. On Unix-based systems (including Mac OS X and Linux), GIMP is also an X application: GTK+ uses the X Window System (sometimes called X11 since most systems use version 11) for drawing to the screen, creating windows, and other low-level operations. So on Mac OS X, Linux, and other Unix systems, you ll need X in order to run the GIMP. X doesn t stand for anything except the next letter after W. (Seriously! X was the successor to a window system called W which was in use at MIT in 1984 when X was being designed.) One thing you shouldn t need is money. The GIMP is free software: free because you can get it without paying, and also because you re free to redistribute it or modify it. You can buy the GIMP from various sources, and sometimes these versions include extra goodies like an installer or a collection of cool brushes. But most of the time, you ll do just as well starting with the free version. IF THE GIMP IS FREE SOFTWARE, IS IT LEGAL FOR PEOPLE TO SELL IT? Yes. The GIMP is licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPL), which allows anyone to distribute the software, and even to charge money for it. However, the GPL does insist that further redistribution be allowed (the seller can t prevent you from making copies and giving them out to your friends). Also, the source code for the program (the human-readable instructions that make the program work) must be included, or at least be made available. The GPL also requires that you receive a copy of the license itself along with the program, so you can learn about your rights to share the program, modify it, or contribute to the project. Where to Find the GIMP The GIMP project lives at http://gimp.org. There, you can find downloadable versions for several operating systems along with instructions on how to get the GIMP for even more systems. You can also find out how to build it yourself if you want to see the latest cutting-edge version. At gimp.org, you ll also find a substantial collection of documentation. There s a full user s manual, a large collection of tutorials, and information on GIMP s programming interfaces for anyone interested in writing scripts or plug-ins. You can sample a collection of mailing lists and an IRC channel where you can ask questions, volunteer to help, or just trade tips. Notes on the OS-specific Installation Appendixes The Mac and Windows appendixes have a Quick Start Version near the beginning. If you re fairly familiar with your system and software installation, you ll probably do fine with the Quick Start alone. However, if you hit a snag, just proceed to the more thorough explanation that follows. Most Linux and BSD users have it pretty easy, and most systems will already have the GIMP installed. Before you try installing, make sure you don t already have it! If you don t, Appendix D will get you on the right track. Time to get started!
Note: In case you are looking for affordable and reliable webhost to host and run your j2ee application check Vision J2ee Web Hosting services.