Let's clear this up right now. It's not the art. I like flames.
The user interface is great, except the gradient (non)-editor sucks, but that's not what is bothering me.
It is that Apophysis has no owner and that the community has no center. There are hundreds of people creating different versions of the software and hundreds more creating scripts, and there is no central place to find them.
I have been messing with some SQL database applications on my web site. I have created a forum, blog and gallery with them. The SQL applications are all free. Each one of them has a web site that is controlled by a central team of volunteers. The web sites have documentation, helpful forums and databases where you can download various plugins and themes. These databases allow the community to upload to them so that they are available everyone.
I am a lurker on the Apophysis mailing list. I have been watching all of the new script announcements roll past. It's great that there are so many people who are willing to share their talents, but what a waste it is that these scripts will roll into oblivion after a few days.
Ultrafractal has a strong center. Every formula that it uses was created by volunteers. There are hundreds of formulas that are stored in a single place that is easily accessible. UF is released and stable, and it doesn't expire.
These free database applications that I have been using are proof that these sorts of communities can have a center.
Apophysis needs an owner or a team of owners. The beta testing can and should continue, but Apophysis needs a stable release that does not expire. The owners would make the call on what the stable release is. The owners would also provide a web site with documentation, a forum and database for scripts and beta versions, or at least links to the beta versions. The web site would be created and maintained by volunteers.
It can be done. Somebody just needs to step up and do it. Some of the sites that I have referred to have a place to donate money, probably to cover the cost of the server. I just paid my annual bill of about $100 for my site. It's not that expensive.
Why not me? I like apo but I am not in love with it. I am not willing to make the commitment. I suppose that lack of commitment is the problem. Until someone is willing to take ownership, the scripts and new versions will continue to fade in and out.
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