What is The Gimp?

The GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a freely distributed piece of software suitable for such tasks as photo retouching, image composition and image authoring. It was written by Peter Mattis and Spencer Kimball, and released under the GNU General Public License (GPL).

The Gimp is a very powerful tool, although it has its idiosyncrasies. It is well worth considering as a part of your standard computer software image. It is often seen as an alternative to products such as Adobe Photoshop, and in a school this may well be the case. 

Because The Gimp (and Photoshop for that matter) has a massive feature set, you will probably never fully use all its tools unless you are a graphic artist using it fulltime. It may also seem a bit complex to do simple things, but hopefully this information will assist you.

Which of the Essential Learnings can The Gimp help us address?

Depending on how you choose to use it, The Gimp could be used to address Communicating > Being arts literate and Communicating > Being information literate. As The Gimp is simply a tool, the incorporation of other ELs will depend on how the tool is used in a class activity.

How can I use it in in my class/school?

There are many enterprising ways in which graphics software can be used. For example:

	restoring historical photos of your local area
	producing collages and montages to market, promote or record events such as carnivals, building developments, cultural activities, sports activities, etc.
	cross-curriculum activities such as  creating a record of the production of an MDT project from digital images,  editing images for a  "how to" guide for complex cooking tasks,  image preparation for school publications,  production of "see-through" and cutaway images of products, living things, buildings, experiments, etc.,
	in collaboration with Art staff, using the digital environment as a medium for original design and production.

Where can I get it? 

If you are installing for Windows, go to http://www2.arnes.si/~sopjsimo/gimp/  

There are two different files you must download and install to run Gimp.

	First you must download and install the Gimp toolkit (GTK) - this has a filename like gtk+-1.3.0-20020912-setup.zip  (numbers may vary with later updates)
	Then install the main Gimp package gimp-1.2.4-20020907-setup.zip

You may wish to install some of the additional plug-in packages listed for greater functionality. 

OK, I've got it and installed it: now what?

The GIMP has a tutorial/handbook, Grokking the Gimp. You should ensure you have it available on all computers running GIMP.  

You start The Gimp using the Start >Programs menu, as with any other program.

Oh no! I've started it and it doesn't look like the Microsoft products I am used to.

Fear not. The Gimp might seem unusual, but it is logical. The effort is worthwhile. The main problem most people have is that the user interface involves floating toolbars rather than an entire window. Yes, you will get used to it!