[scribus] Difficulty with Lines

[Jessica Evans]

Scribus 1.3.3.12 on Windows XP Home Edition 5.1.2600

Hi all,

So far I've used Scribus for two edition of my 12-page newsletter, and 
I've noticed some things that are hard to deal with, or possibly bugs.  
I'm not an experienced open-source user so I hope starting here, rather 
than trying to figure out how to open bug reports, is ok. 

So, one thing I need to do a lot (really really a lot)  is generate 
simple vertical and horizontal lines to demarcate columns.  I have found 
this to be weirdly difficult with Scribus.  With other graphics and D.P. 
applications I've been able to press the Shift key while drawing a line 
to constrain the line to be either horizontal or vertical.  This doesn't 
work with Scribus.  The only way I can get a line to be truly horizontal 
or vertical is to:
 * Create a guide & turn on snap to guides
 * Start the line and end the line near the guide
 * Pull one end of the line to the guide
 * Pull the other end to the guide
 * Repeat a few times until the line is really actually straight.

I don't know why the guide doesn't fully constrain the points at the 
ends of the line...I seem to need to pull the line past the guide in one 
direction, at both ends, several times, to really get the line totally 
vertical or horizontal.

Second Issue: Can't Lengthen Lines
I simply cannot lengthen/shorten a line without changing the angle or 
changing the location of the line.

Once I have a vertical or horizontal line I want to be able to mouse 
over until it is the 2-way arrow, signifying the line will be 
lengthened/shortened rather than either:
 * moved (4-way angle)
 * or changed in length and angle (angled arrow.)

It is extremely difficult to get the 2-way arrow to appear at all, but 
if I view the document at 400% I can usually get it.  However, the 
action is always as for the 4-way arrow. Even when the icon is the 2-way 
arrow, the line just moves, it doesn't stay in place and 
lengthen/shorten with the mouse action.

Any help/advice much appreciated...I have to generate horizontal and 
vertical lines many many times for each edition I produce.

Best wishes, Jessica