GIMP Version: 2.8
Operating System: Windows
OS Version: Win7 64bit
GIMP Experience: Basic Level

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so GIMP 2.8.2 is out

ftp://ftp.gimp.org/pub/gimp/v2.8/

how do i install that ?

do i have to uninstall GIMP 2.8 before ?
or is this a patch ? its only 19,2 MB big....

and what is a tar.bz2 file ????

im a bit clueless about it

Can't help you with most of it but I'm pretty sure tar files are compressed files normally used in Linux.

apparently you have to grab the version from this link:

http://www.gimpusers.com/downloads

i still dont know if i need to uninstall 2.8, before installing the new baby

no you don't need to unistall

Unistall is better when are bigger changes as from 2.6 to 2.8 , but the third decimal indicate only minor changes

ah cool, thanks for the quick info, PhotoComix !

EDIT:
it worked without uninstalling before, but the GIMP 2.8.2.exe uninstalled all older versions (i had GIMP 2.6 and 2.8 on my HD)

What about the user folder? Did it reamain intact or was that uninstalled too? Did you have to set up all your preferences again as well? You would think they would have a warning to back up your files or at least some basic intructions so you would not have to ask such a simple question.

There must be so much tech stuff in their brains when they make these changes that there's no more room for common sense. Only a handful of people know what to do like Rod, or PC or folks like Partha. Common users need common sense solutions, not more complications.

Sorry for the rant, I guess I need another cup of coffee this morning.....

Me too Drac...

Thanks, Molly. I think I needed the vindication more than the coffee.

I'll add to that rant as well Drac. I was not pleased when I found that 2.8.0 uninstalled my copy of 2.6 without asking/telling me. It also looks like 2.8.2 does the same. At least I now have a copy of the 2.6.7 installer to put it back again afterwards.

Kevin

About GIMP 2.8.2:
http://www.gimpusers.com/forums/gimp-de ... 2-released

2.8.1 was an unstable development version. 2.8.2 is the stable release. As Alexandre Prokoudine comment in the previous link.

What a lot of nerve, yes they should ask if you want the previous version over written.

(just teasing Kevin)

the user folder remained intact (including the 2.6 version )

cant tell you about preferences, i hadnt changed anything

That is one of the reason why i avoid the official Windows gimp installers to use Partha portable builds

But we publicize sufficiently partha's builds and i even posted here about mine :
if people still prefer install the official version without python without the help manual, and with a installer that ignore users wishes and force unistall without any need..well is a free choice.

I didn't read the list of changes of this version but i believe are no much more of what already included in last 2.8.1 partha build
(and so in mine ) and i believe that Partha will soon offers some updates

Not to be prickly but really there are several alternatives and the official Windows installer may be not one of the best

its not really about free will, PhotoComix, its about insecurity

i downloaded the file with the weird ending (bz.tar or whatever it was) and i had no idea what to do with it
i had a look over at wikipedia and they hadnt any entry about that ending either....
so i went with the 'official' download, because that seemed to be the best way

im not a computer expert, i can do basic installing but after that, its getting difficult

If you still have your gimp-2.6 user folder just re-install Gimp-2.6.12 and you are all set.

Any tar file is just a compressed file and can contain anything.
Normally it is reserved for source files for either Windows, Mac, or Linux compilation.
If you download for windows you should always download a MSI or ZIP or RAR or EXE file.
RAR, STF, 7ZIP, or ZIP are compressed, and normally PORTABLE as they need no installer.
EXE and MSI are normally the installers. (allthough Sam, and Parthas PORTABLES use EXE files)

NOTE: I would only trust PORTABLES from either Sam and Partha OR Portableapps.com

The new Windows Gimp installer removes all older versions because there is too much incompatibility between them.
It leaves all user files because when it installs it uses the last user resources for the new Gimp install.It copies them and renames the folder.This assures you keep all your downloaded resource files, and settings you have added on.
Gimp installers will never un install your user directory folder.

IF you want to install over older versions but keep them you really should use PORTABLE versions after Partha and Sam get them ready for release.Portable is self contained, works the same if not BETTER than the installed version, and is easy to maintain and move around.
So if you want to use various versions use PORTABLE.



I hope that clears up some things about the installer.

Thanks for the clarification Rod. That at least explains their thinking with regard to the uninstall portion to avoid conflicts. That said, IMO they should at least include a readme file that explains exactly what you just said and explicit instructions to read the readme before installation.

How does the average joe that didn't just read that know which Gimp to install? I think it is incumbant on the developers to address this and offer a choice with reference to alternate "approved" builds. I dunno what the perfect answer is but someone does and it needs to be implemented. There is entirely too much confusion in this regard as evidenced by some of hte comments in this thread and others in the past.

I may speak only for myself i perfectly understand your point.

And so i made a version viewtopic.php?f=7&t=4986 that doesn't even require a install:

You just
1) unzip, place where you like the extracted folder, wherever except then "Program File"
2) And then you open the folder and start gimp or by clicking (With a right click on the same file you may chose to add a desktop shortcut ) "demarrer_gimp.bat" that will start a version similar tpo the Official, identical to that from Partha except for a recent help Preinstalled

OR

2a) If you instead click on "_Start_Gimp_PC-Lab.bat " (again you may create a desktop shortcut to the file by right clicking/send to desktop) you start Gimp with full extras included all that hard to find and install...Gmic Mathmap, UserFilter; GAP,the gimp paint studio, beautify just to quote a few

price of 2a is much longer loading time, and the pop out of some flashing black consoles (that are harmless but maybe can ignite some unreasonable worry in some users )...Once loaded speed will be the same

so you got 2 at the price of 1
a GIMP similar to that of the official for Windows , but improved to be complete and work smoothly at least as a Linux version
and another GIMP with all the best addon already included

Obviously is the same GIMP with a added switch that allow to start in 2 very different modes

I would be willing to give this a whirl if for no other reason than I have never been able to get MathMap to work in 2.6.11 or 2.8.0.

Questions:
1. Assuming I go get your version with all hte bells and whistles included, do I need to
uninstall the old 2.8 first?
2. Are there any peripheral files or entries I need to clean up to remove all remnants of the
old version before installing yours?
3. You said it works smoothly for Linux. I'm using Windows 7 on my laptop and XP on
my desktop. What about those, still OK?

so Sam and Partha are developers ?

and portable means, its a Gimp version you can put in an USB stick and use on any computer you like ?

yes that the sense
as they are , are portable and if you add things using the existent folders (i e adding more scripts in the script folder) of the program they remain fully portable

on partha side you will found both "normal" and portable version (but portable has not disadvantages)