Wine and bottles not working in pop os

[Iamgeese]

I love the cat comment. You are dual booting which can be another can of worms for the cats. If you are using a desktop system I can make the dual boot fool proof. even so that M$ can't screw it up. Laptop you are on your own because the equipment is not available.
When it comes to have to have windows for something (I have a few of those) I find a virtual machine works for most. dual boot for the rest.

Thread 'Dual and Multi boot systems'

Oct 30, 2023

One thing many people do is make systems that will boot more than one choice of operating systems. This little article is a new and better way to do this. Often we have to fix the multi boot systems because an update changed something and damaged our grub configuration. Windows is especially good at doing this. So here is the best way to do this that allows you do make a multiboot system without having to do anything to grub or play with configurations.

This can only be done in a system that can accept more than one drive and an expansion card.

What you will need.

1.. One hard...

• APTI
• Replies: 8
• Forum: General Linux Topics

• 

I did spin up a VM and it has worked for other distros but for some reason in this case it kept throwing errors.

Since I had a spare drive lying around I am daul booting my laptop. Its an Asus, with 2 M.2SSDs slots. I had already Daul booted it with Zorrin OS (but it unfortunatly does not run what I want it to run) . But once I can confirm I get everything working its going to come out and go into my main desktop (also two drive slots), thats where the fun begins because its a buisness one and I prey Microsod does not make it impossible or I am going to be pissed, I paid nearly £2000 for it for high end graphics and modelling. Not so they can put Sam Altman and wierd creepy tech bros (that like robots more then they like people) in my house!

The cats need to remove them all.

 

[Sherri is a Cat]

I did spin up a VM and it has worked for other distros but for some reason in this case it kept throwing errors.

Since I had a spare drive lying around I am daul booting my laptop. Its an Asus, with 2 M.2SSDs slots. I had already Daul booted it with Zorrin OS (but it unfortunatly does not run what I want it to run) . But once I can confirm I get everything working its going to come out and go into my main desktop (also two drive slots), thats where the fun begins because its a buisness one and I prey Microsod does not make it impossible or I am going to be pissed, I paid nearly £2000 for it for high end graphics and modelling. Not so they can put Sam Altman and wierd creepy tech bros (that like robots more then they like people) in my house!

The cats need to remove them all.

I just spent an enormous amount of time installing a vm and then getting it to work properly. Bottles was of absolutely no use to me. I use Linux Mint. My impression is that virtual machines are typically used by advanced users on other distributions. I found 2 tutorials and some directions on here to explain how to install it on a Mint machine. It took all three for me to make sense of it. I might be able to help you with this! I'll look at this thread more carefully later tonight or tomorrow.

BTW

I completely understand why you want to keep your specialized software. Availability of comparable open-source software, regardless of good they may or may not be is an irrelevant point. Unless someone has used specialized software they can't understand why it is so important to keep using what we already have. I too use specialized software, AutoCAD and 3DS Max, Viz 3D... While other CAD and rendering software are similar and may be just as good, proficiency doesn't usually translate. I had/ have to learn how to use a different app to get the same results. What's worse is that sometimes a command in one has a completely different result in the other.

 

[MikeWalsh]

@Iamgeese :-

I, too, can understand why you'd want to keep using specialised software. Back in the day, I actually purchased Adobe's CS2 suite, nearly 20 years ago. I still use it now; luckily, it was about the last suite to work almost 100% correctly under older versions of WINE. Aside from financial considerations nowadays, I am simply not prepared to get enmeshed by the current Adobe subscription-only model, paying through the nose for ever, so.....CS2 it is for me (still very powerful, and does everything I want from it).

You didn't mention which version of ZBrush you have? I ask because, according to the WINE HQ database, it appeared to work fine up until about 4R4.....and then compatibility seems to have taken a nose-dive, with formerly 'Platinum' ratings dropping to around 'Bronze', or even 'Garbage' (no good; won't work at all!)

See here:-

WineHQ - ZBrush

Open Source Software for running Windows applications on other operating systems.

appdb.winehq.org

(May take several seconds to load, because their database is gigantic, comprising hundreds of thousands of entries, dating back nearly 20 years.)

ZBrush version is in the left-hand column. WINE version is over on the right, along with compatibility rating.....either 'Platinum', 'Gold', 'Silver', 'Bronze'.....or 'Garbage'.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~​

WINE is very good when it works, but the experience is highly variable, dependent on not only what the software manufacturer has modified / altered / upgraded / changed with their product, but also how well stuff has been implemented / integrated by the WINE dev team.

(shrug...)

It IS very much a case of "suck it and see", unfortunately. There's also the "elephant in the room" that the WINE team have - predictably! - prioritised Windows game compatibility above all else....


Mike.

 

[Sherri is a Cat]

, I actually purchased Adobe's CS2 suite

I paid for perpetual license to have CS3. The last time I installed it Adobe wouldn't validate my license. They said the CS3 servers don't work anymore.

Translation- Most people aren't smart enough to know that this is just a line we feed people to make them pay again, every single year to use our software. We don't care that we are in breech of contract. Go ahead, sue us. We have attorneys and enough money to make you go away. You'll never get anywhere so give it up. Buy a subscription.

 

[MikeWalsh]

@Sherri is a Cat :-

When the CS2 activation servers were shut down in late 2012, Adobe took the unprecedented step of publishing new installers along with serial numbers that worked with these 'custom' builds ONLY .....that were designed not to need 'validation' from the now-defunct servers.

They also decided to make the suite itself free to download for anyone who had an Adobe account.....'for those with a legally-purchased licence who wished to continue using CS2'. There was something of a rush on the download servers, especially since most of the tech blogs made this headline news.......and the internet at large interpreted this as meaning a FREE download of Photoshop!

Photoshop CS2

Photoshop CS2 (code named "Space Monkey") was the 9th major version of Photoshop, released by Adobe Systems for Macintosh and Windows on April 4, 2005. It was also included as part of Adobe Creative Suite 2 and Creative Suite Production Studio. Vanishing point and image warp Upgraded spot...

photoshop.fandom.com

Of course, there was a catch. Isn't there always? You had to use the serial number from your original 'legal' purchase to be able to access the downloads in the first place....

These 'free' installers/keys were discontinued in 2019, and are no longer available. I've long since switched from my original purchased software to the one mentioned above precisely to get away from the annoying 'validation' crap (which no longer works anyway)!


Mike.

 

[Sherri is a Cat]

These 'free' installers/keys were discontinued in 2019, and are no longer available.

I think it was mid 2020 when I tried to reinstall CS3. Oh well. Can't do anything about it now. Thankfully there is plenty of open source software.

 

[Sherri is a Cat]

No, it was 2022

 

[Iamgeese]

@Iamgeese :-

I, too, can understand why you'd want to keep using specialised software. Back in the day, I actually purchased Adobe's CS2 suite, nearly 20 years

I just spent an enormous amount of time installing a vm and then getting it to work properly. Bottles was of absolutely no use to me. I use Linux Mint. My impression is that virtual machines are typically used by advanced users on other distributions. I found 2 tutorials and some directions on here to explain how to install it on a Mint machine. It took all three for me to make sense of it. I might be able to help you with this! I'll look at this thread more carefully later tonight or tomorrow.

BTW

I completely understand why you want to keep your specialized software. Availability of comparable open-source software, regardless of good they may or may not be is an irrelevant point. Unless someone has used specialized software they can't understand why it is so important to keep using what we already have. I too use specialized software, AutoCAD and 3DS Max, Viz 3D... While other CAD and rendering software are similar and may be just as good, proficiency doesn't usually translate. I had/ have to learn how to use a different app to get the same results. What's worse is that sometimes a command in one has a completely different result in the other.

ago. I still use it now; luckily, it was about the last suite to work almost 100% correctly under older versions of WINE. Aside from financial considerations nowadays, I am simply not prepared to get enmeshed by the current Adobe subscription-only model, paying through the nose for ever, so.....CS2 it is for me (still very powerful, and does everything I want from it).

You didn't mention which version of ZBrush you have? I ask because, according to the WINE HQ database, it appeared to work fine up until about 4R4.....and then compatibility seems to have taken a nose-dive, with formerly 'Platinum' ratings dropping to around 'Bronze', or even 'Garbage' (no good; won't work at all!)

See here:-

WineHQ - ZBrush

Open Source Software for running Windows applications on other operating systems.

appdb.winehq.org

(May take several seconds to load, because their database is gigantic, comprising hundreds of thousands of entries, dating back nearly 20 years.)

ZBrush version is in the left-hand column. WINE version is over on the right, along with compatibility rating.....either 'Platinum', 'Gold', 'Silver', 'Bronze'.....or 'Garbage'.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~​

WINE is very good when it works, but the experience is highly variable, dependent on not only what the software manufacturer has modified / altered / upgraded / changed with their product, but also how well stuff has been implemented / integrated by the WINE dev team.

(shrug...)

It IS very much a case of "suck it and see", unfortunately. There's also the "elephant in the room" that the WINE team have - predictably! - prioritised Windows game compatibility above all else....


Mike.

@Iamgeese :-

I, too, can understand why you'd want to keep using specialised software. Back in the day, I actually purchased Adobe's CS2 suite, nearly 20 years ago. I still use it now; luckily, it was about the last suite to work almost 100% correctly under older versions of WINE. Aside from financial considerations nowadays, I am simply not prepared to get enmeshed by the current Adobe subscription-only model, paying through the nose for ever, so.....CS2 it is for me (still very powerful, and does everything I want from it).

You didn't mention which version of ZBrush you have? I ask because, according to the WINE HQ database, it appeared to work fine up until about 4R4.....and then compatibility seems to have taken a nose-dive, with formerly 'Platinum' ratings dropping to around 'Bronze', or even 'Garbage' (no good; won't work at all!)

See here:-

WineHQ - ZBrush

Open Source Software for running Windows applications on other operating systems.

appdb.winehq.org

(May take several seconds to load, because their database is gigantic, comprising hundreds of thousands of entries, dating back nearly 20 years.)

ZBrush version is in the left-hand column. WINE version is over on the right, along with compatibility rating.....either 'Platinum', 'Gold', 'Silver', 'Bronze'.....or 'Garbage'.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~​

WINE is very good when it works, but the experience is highly variable, dependent on not only what the software manufacturer has modified / altered / upgraded / changed with their product, but also how well stuff has been implemented / integrated by the WINE dev team.

(shrug...)

It IS very much a case of "suck it and see", unfortunately. There's also the "elephant in the room" that the WINE team have - predictably! - prioritised Windows game compatibility above all else....


Mike.

I just spent an enormous amount of time installing a vm and then getting it to work properly. Bottles was of absolutely no use to me. I use Linux Mint. My impression is that virtual machines are typically used by advanced users on other distributions. I found 2 tutorials and some directions on here to explain how to install it on a Mint machine. It took all three for me to make sense of it. I might be able to help you with this! I'll look at this thread more carefully later tonight or tomorrow.

BTW

I completely understand why you want to keep your specialized software. Availability of comparable open-source software, regardless of good they may or may not be is an irrelevant point. Unless someone has used specialized software they can't understand why it is so important to keep using what we already have. I too use specialized software, AutoCAD and 3DS Max, Viz 3D... While other CAD and rendering software are similar and may be just as good, proficiency doesn't usually translate. I had/ have to learn how to use a different app to get the same results. What's worse is that sometimes a command in one has a completely different result in the other.

2022 is the year where almost every software I have used for years (and websites) all went to hell in a handbasket and I was left scrambling looking for alternatives. I bought ZBrush R6 but got free upgrades right up untill around 2022. I even have a physical disk that I bought with it as a seperate option and I am really glad I did. Feels great to own something physical.

Zbrush got bought out by Maxton in 2022, shafted its promis to keep forever licenses and now you have to pay a subscription, everytime a company does something like that, it puts me off. I also have disks of the Adobe CS3 suit on Mac. I really miss Mac and how good it was. I would have stayed with Microsoft but them partnering with Sam Altman and pushing A.I was the final straw. Some of these A.I tech bros are so up themselves (they really just want to take eveything for themselves) they are even low key trying to invade UK politics and policy and for that alone they can get lost.

thus my journey to the Linux hills began.

 

[Brickwizard]

1]only use the distribution version of wine
2]wine comes as a 64 bit overlay for windows programs
3] if you have 32 bit windows programs you wish to run then you must install both the 32 bit wine codecs and
32bit library codes for the distribution

for Debian based distros
sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386<br>sudo apt-get update<br>

Then install the 32bit library:
sudo apt-get install libXX:i386<br>
and
re-boot

 

[Sherri is a Cat]

thus my journey to the Linux hills began.

I knew I would eventually get here after the harassment and low down tactics they took in 2015. A year ago the final straw was drawn. It took less than 24 hours to make a decision, do a DOD wipe on my HDD, format it using EXT4 and install Linux.

The reason I used EXT4 to make sure NOTHING ELSE COULD BE SECRETLY DOWNLOADED AND INSTALLED!

YES! That became an everyday thing.

 

[Iamgeese]

I knew I would eventually get here after the harassment and low down tactics they took in 2015. A year ago the final straw was drawn. It took less than 24 hours to make a decision, do a DOD wipe on my HDD, format it using EXT4 and install Linux.

The reason I used EXT4 to make sure NOTHING ELSE COULD BE SECRETLY DOWNLOADED AND INSTALLED!

YES! That became an everyday thing.

hang on. What on earth do you mean secretly downloaded? Surely if they stuck a back door on your system someone could find it and then troll Microgit from the inside?

 

[Sherri is a Cat]

promis to keep forever licenses and now you have to pay a subscription

Breach of Contract.

If enough people got together and could find a law firm that can't be bought, we would have a firm class action law suit.

I guess they forgot the definition of 'perpetul license'. Actually, they had the @$#** to redefine it according to the whims and greedy profit motive.

 

[Iamgeese]

I knew I would eventually get here after the harassment and low down tactics they took in 2015. A year ago the final straw was drawn. It took less than 24 hours to make a decision, do a DOD wipe on my HDD, format it using EXT4 and install Linux.

The reason I used EXT4 to make sure NOTHING ELSE COULD BE SECRETLY DOWNLOADED AND INSTALLED!

YES! That became an everyday thing.

I have decided to keep a seperate windows drive just in case I have to go back in an emergency

 

[Sherri is a Cat]

I have decided to keep a seperate windows drive just in case I have to go back in an emergency

I'm in no way trying to discourage you from that. I understand. Just take comfort in the idea that for me it hasn't been necessary.

I know how t is to not want to give up the software we already know how to use. There is only one program that I haven't yet found a FREE on ON PAR. Adobe Acrobat. Just like AutoCAD, PhotoShop... Unless you are very proficient using the expensive paid versions you can't understand how they are different or the obstacles to switching. And with some things, file extensions can be a problem. Blender to Viz3D or 3DS Max. DoubleCAD was a great alternative to AutoCad. Same file extensions but drawings made in one didn't open the same in the other.

 

[Iamgeese]

Breach of Contract.

If enough people got together and could find a law firm that can't be bought, we would have a firm class action law suit.

I guess they forgot the definition of 'perpetul license'. Actually, they had the @$#** to redefine it according to the whims and greedy profit motive.

not sure how, I am in the UK most of these companies are in the US.

But it would be a terrible shame if someone produced a cracked version of Zbrush and then ported it to Linux so I shouldnt have to piss around with Wine (no pun intended). Currently there is no Linux port and probably never will be.

I remember saving up for Zbrush and getting excited about it. But apparently they dont like people saving anymore. I dont want debt, I am not taking out loans for every bit of software I use. The only reason you should ever get a loan is a house maybe a car and some credit cards in case the boiler should blow up in winter. NOT software. Do they think we are stupid?

I understand that there may well be a cost to keeping software up to date and maybe I dont mind paying a bit for an update if I really want it, but I do not want to be paying stupid fees for somthing I will never own.

I love Adobe After Effects, I have yet to find a suitable replacement, but if I want to use it its £30 a month. I mean are you serious? That mayu not be alot, but try doing that if you are out of work and really up turd street. How do you keep up your skills? No Job, No software.

I generally dont support Piracy, its very damaging to industries, it can cost jobs, but this really is taking the piss. These companies do not hold their word, nothing they say is worth the paper it is written on and if they are not going to behave themselves then why should anyone else?

It is a farce.

 

[Iamgeese]

I'm in no way trying to discourage you from that. I understand. Just take comfort in the idea that for me it hasn't been necessary.

I know how t is to not want to give up the software we already know how to use. There is only one program that I haven't yet found a FREE on ON PAR. Adobe Acrobat. Just like AutoCAD, PhotoShop... Unless you are very proficient using the expensive paid versions you can't understand how they are different or the obstacles to switching. And with some things, file extensions can be a problem. Blender to Viz3D or 3DS Max. DoubleCAD was a great alternative to AutoCad. Same file extensions but drawings made in one didn't open the same in the other.

until there is more Linux support for some of my programms I have to keep Windows, quietly stalking and watching and stalking everything I do.

 

[Sherri is a Cat]

I generally dont support Piracy, its very damaging to industries, it can cost jobs, but this really is taking the piss.

I am NOT supporting or encouraging piracy. But, I have a different opinion concerning whether or not these companies are or were actually losing money.

WHO pirates software and doesn't worry so much about getting caught?

There are always exceptions, but I have only met 2 types of people who use pirated software.

• People who don't actually need it
  • If I don't actually need it, I'm not creating something that I can profit from.
  • There is nothing circulating the market. The chance of me getting caught is slim.
  • Why would I pay an astronomical amount of money for something I don't need?
    • For the people who just want to crop an image or touch up a few things, there are usually inexpensive or free apps for that.
    • Of course some people will pay to have an expensive toy that will probably end up on a shelf, but those are few and far between.
• Students
  • Students are traditionally poor so this kind of makes sense
  • BUT
    • I can say from personal experience that even students have no valid reason to even consider pirated software
      • When I was a student every single program I needed was available to me to INSTALL LEGALLY FOR FREE.
      • I was able to because I had a '.edu' email address.
        • Register with Adobe, AutoDesk, etc.
        • Download the trial software
        • The company emails an authorization or key
        • Use the software legally
      • AND, those companies offer licenses at a discount for students
      • Discounts vary depending on where a student buys the software.
        • From the university I was at I got perpetuallicenses for:
          • Win 7 upgrade for $10
          • A new release of MS office suite for $5
          • AutoCad for engineers $100
        • I bought CS3 for $300 from a retailer. If I'd known I could get it for so much less at the university I would have gone that way

Before software subscriptions, I have to wonder how much money these companies actually lost. They make it sound like everyone who uses the software would have pay full price if no pirated alternative was available. That might be true if the software was less expensive.

If someone can't pay for software and can't get it illegally, they don't use the software. They can't. So how many of those illegal installations actually translate into lost sales? I would argue that it's very little. The only lost revenue was the comparatively small amount of sales of illegal software, not legal copies.

The pirated software argument is just an clever way to justify increased revenues by changing licensing agreements.

 

[Iamgeese]

I am NOT supporting or encouraging piracy. But, I have a different opinion concerning whether or not these companies are or were actually losing money.

WHO pirates software and doesn't worry so much about getting caught?

There are always exceptions, but I have only met 2 types of people who use pirated software.

• People who don't actually need it
  • If I don't actually need it, I'm not creating something that I can profit from.
  • There is nothing circulating the market. The chance of me getting caught is slim.
  • Why would I pay an astronomical amount of money for something I don't need?
    • For the people who just want to crop an image or touch up a few things, there are usually inexpensive or free apps for that.
    • Of course some people will pay to have an expensive toy that will probably end up on a shelf, but those are few and far between.
• Students
  • Students are traditionally poor so this kind of makes sense
  • BUT
    • I can say from personal experience that even students have no valid reason to even consider pirated software
      • When I was a student every single program I needed was available to me to INSTALL LEGALLY FOR FREE.
      • I was able to because I had a '.edu' email address.
        • Register with Adobe, AutoDesk, etc.
        • Download the trial software
        • The company emails an authorization or key
        • Use the software legally
      • AND, those companies offer licenses at a discount for students
      • Discounts vary depending on where a student buys the software.
        • From the university I was at I got perpetuallicenses for:
          • Win 7 upgrade for $10
          • A new release of MS office suite for $5
          • AutoCad for engineers $100
        • I bought CS3 for $300 from a retailer. If I'd known I could get it for so much less at the university I would have gone that way

Before software subscriptions, I have to wonder how much money these companies actually lost. They make it sound like everyone who uses the software would have pay full price if no pirated alternative was available. That might be true if the software was less expensive.

If someone can't pay for software and can't get it illegally, they don't use the software. They can't. So how many of those illegal installations actually translate into lost sales? I would argue that it's very little. The only lost revenue was the comparatively small amount of sales of illegal software, not legal copies.

The pirated software argument is just an clever way to justify increased revenues by changing licensing agreements.

I think one argument also is alot of the people that use the pirated software will evetually go on to use the paid software.

I used to get alot of music online for free, and what actually happened was the artists I really liked, I went their concerts and bought their CDs, years later I still have them. The ones I wasnt interested in I just didnt listen to.

I wouldnt even risk doing this now mostly because theres no reason and its damn right dangerous, god know what you could end up with now.

 

[MikeWalsh]

@Iamgeese :-

I remember saving up for Zbrush and getting excited about it. But apparently they dont like people saving anymore. I dont want debt, I am not taking out loans for every bit of software I use. The only reason you should ever get a loan is a house maybe a car and some credit cards in case the boiler should blow up in winter. NOT software.

It's not so much a case of "not liking people saving any more". They just figured out they can make more money out of perpetually renting it to you than they'll ever make from a one-off sale. It's good business.....and that means maximising profits at every turn.

Do they think we are stupid?

In a word.....YES!!! Users are considered, well.....not exactly "stupid", but not "knowledgeable", either. We're the devs! Of course we know better than you! How dare you question us..?? Trouble is, when the software you need is no longer available as a "one-off" purchase, and CAN only be "rented".....what d'you do?

SaaS - Software as a Service - appeals to those who

• Absolutely must have the software for work.
• Only run Windows and are indoctrinated into the "Must run newest everything all the time" mindset.
• And Joe Average just goes along with whatever M$ tells him to do.....without thinking it through for himself. (If more folks did this last bit, far more people would make the switch to Linux, and software devs would sit up and take notice when MS usage figures began to skew significantly downwards. And THEN you would get more software written for/ported to Linux.....along with the inevitable downside of attracting more dedicated malware.)

Wishful thinking, perhaps. Joe Average ain't "stupid", far from it.....but it's just so much easier having somebody else make all the "hard" decisions for you. The fact that they're not necessarily in his best interests, however, kinda gets 'overlooked'...

(shrug...)

'Puppy' Linux replaced the M$ treadmill for me over a decade ago. Fortunately - for me - I never became dependent on anything M$ had to offer.....because where I worked in the 80s & 90s, we didn't use computers. The industry we were in, there was absolutely no point in using them.....it would have achieved precisely zero. Zilch. Nada. Nowt. We weren't doing anything that COULD be automated.....so it made no sense to even try and use 'em.


Mike.

 

[Iamgeese]

@Iamgeese :-



It's not so much a case of "not liking people saving any more". They just figured out they can make more money out of perpetually renting it to you than they'll ever make from a one-off sale. It's good business.....and that means maximising profits at every turn.



In a word.....YES!!! But when the software you need is no longer available as a "one-off" purchase, and CAN only be "rented".....what d'you do?

SaaS - Software as a Service - appeals to those who

• Absolutely must have the software for work.
• Only run Windows and are indoctrinated into the "Must run newest everything all the time" mindset.
• And Joe Average just goes along with whatever M$ tells him to do.....without thinking it through for himself. (If more folks did this last bit, far more people would make the switch to Linux, and software devs would sit up and take notice when MS usage figures began to skew significantly downwards. And THEN you would get more software written for/ported to Linux.....along with the inevitable downside of attracting more dedicated malware.)

Wishful thinking, perhaps. Joe Average ain't "stupid", far from it.....but it's just so much easier having somebody else make all the "hard" decisions for you. The fact that they're not necessarily in his best interests, however, kinda gets 'overlooked'...

(shrug...)

'Puppy' Linux replaced the M$ treadmill for me over a decade ago. Fortunately - for me - I never became dependent on anything M$ had to offer.....because where I worked in the 80s & 90s, we didn't use computers. The industry we were in, there was absolutely no point in using them.....it would have achieved precisely zero. Zilch. Nada. Nowt. We weren't doing anything that COULD be automated.....so it made no sense to even try and use 'em.


Mike.

the problem I have with SAAS is (the awful anogram which is a corn fest) is it stops people from "playing" with it. I taught myself how to use photoshop when I was a kid because my dad had it on the family computer, then he got me my own computer and the amazing thing was you could have it on every computer in the house and as far as I am aware it was a non pirate version. My dad was not a creative in the industry, he just used it to fix pictures, even though he was not a photographer in a serious way.

It is the ability to play around with something because its there which I think is important. The end result is more people are going to go with say Blender as opposed to Maya which is frankly offensively expensive and the company itself has vanished up its own hole! How are people going to know if they want to do something if they cant even play with the tools?