Video editing on Linux

Image via Wikipedia

I heard a talk some time ago that pointed out the reasons why Linux was not going to make it to the prime time desktop, and why Linux as a whole was never going to compete in the user mind share.  The guy was trying to be positive, in the sense of getting developers to focus on what was missing, and so what they needed to be building, rather than new file systems.

It was pointed out that when a user switches from Windows or Mac, it isn't just the web browsers and email clients, or even the Office applications that stop them.  It is the lack of applications beyond that can hold them back.  It is the Photoshops, iMovies, games, and the slew of professional apps that don't have adequate Linux versions that get in the way.  There is virtualisation, but why not just run Windows if you're going to run it in a window, even for just one app?

This week I have found a couple of video editing programs, which was one of the switches sticking points, so I thought I would highlight them.  In the Linux world the support offered by people using a program will normally be what turns it from a project to a reliable alternative.

One is OpenShot Video Editor, which I have installed, it is like a iMovie clone, but back when it was good.  I have been able to do all the basics like, drop in a Mp3 and photos and shortclips, and there are a heap of transitions and a number of features that go beyond the old holiday snap DVD.  It looks stable, so for the home desktop user I would have to recommend having a play with it.

Arstechnica.com did a nice write up on two other video editing programs PiTiVi and Kdenlive, both available through the Ubuntu Software Center.  So as I haven't been able to spend much time with them I'll let you check out the "Video Editing in Linux: a look at PiTiVi and Kdenlive" post.

The upshot of all this is that we are starting to see some good moves in filling out the Linux desktop with the tools that the users need and want.  So with a OS that is easy to install, compatible with the internet, stable, and with some good home user level programs, it can't be too long before the mind-share, and market-share come around.

On a side note, I'm working on a list of good alternative programs for the mainstream offerings, on the Linux, OSX and Windows platforms.  If you have found ones that you like and/or have replaced a mainstream with, please comment below and we'll give them some love.

Jason Remnant

...if it ain't Broken, wait till the Render is done, then you will see Broken.