More news on the new editor and the 2nd DLC
1) I bet the P2 editor has all portal 2 entities, but not half life 2 or portal (e.g. trigger_teleport, prop_dynamic, trigger_look, info _placemen_helper) hammer has all the source engine entities (except the special half life2 ones), this level creator won't make valve quality levels, boss battles, and climax scenes.
2) the big deal is that, anyone can make a map, may not be special or good, and maybe some of the maps that the people upload here, are worse that the average newbie map made in hammer.
3) they do have a moderator to check it, msleeper even made a post saying, moderator check maps to make sure every map are not playground, fullbright, and will delete them.
4) hammer is like AutoCAD, it makes great architectural features, design, everything that the source engine uses, while the map creator looks like what a child would use, and limits the potential of the game itself
And besides, I bet if you decompile one of valve's "special maps" and import them into the creator = CRASH + ERRORS.
I really, really, do not see the point of this editor. There is nothing incredibly hard about using hammer to make maps as it is, you just have to have some determination to make something decent and two brain cells to rub together. And if you dont, quite frankly I dont want to play your map anyway. I expect this editor to just result in crappy, unimaginative, boring maps eveywhere. And yeah, it is possible to create amazing things with simple tools, but there is no need to when there is a great (if slightly crashy) editor already there. Why use mspaint when you already have photoshop?
Rant over.
I think in terms of boolean variables. Generally, it makes things easier.
I think it's gonna be a good thing. It'll at least give us a nice tool to muck around with when thinking up a chamber. Even better is that we get a much nicer way of uploading, downloading, playing and rating maps. Valve are doing their best to reward and supply the community.
I don't have anything against a simpler alternative editing tool, but I have a huge problem with the kind of people who will be using it.
Has anyone here ever played Spore: Galactic Adventures? Its biggest feature was a world editor, and an inbuilt map list/score system. Well guess what? Most of it was flooded with crap created by players with no semblance of quality, and even the "featured" levels seemed to barely have any effort put in. I already preferred playing the game offline, because the creatures Maxis had designed looked so much better than the general quality of the colossal library of user-made ones.
I guess my point is, with so many players creating content, you need more than a voting system to filter out the crap. Simpler tools means simpler people using them; that's just a sad fact.
At least though, it might mean the Hammer noobs leave ThinkingWithPortals alone and opt for the in-game editor, while I can't really see any of the regulars here leaving in a hurry.
Hey, everyone is a noob once. I don't doubt many noobs will opt for a simpler editor, but some noobs will stick with hammer, at least if they want to make really good maps. So dont go noob hating 
I think in terms of boolean variables. Generally, it makes things easier.
Well, the definitions of the term vary. I'm mainly referring to people who don't have many standards for quality; who have no will to improve. I mean that's what this site is for, isn't it?
Well ok, within those defenitions I agree with you.
I think in terms of boolean variables. Generally, it makes things easier.
Ok, I sorta skimmed through this thread and everyone seems to be pissed that there is going to be a diluted version of hammer. but from what I have seen this seems more like a console thing then an enthusiast program like hammer.
Thoughts?
PortalStories.com
"Oh, in case you got covered in that repulsion gel, here's some advice the lab boys gave me: DO NOT get covered in the repulsion gel."
And thus, where's the big deal? People that want to use those can use Hammer, and people that just want to be able to make maps easily can use the level creator.
2) the big deal is that, anyone can make a map, may not be special or good, and maybe some of the maps that the people upload here, are worse that the average newbie map made in hammer.
...so? You just ignore the trash. Not "pretend it doesn't exist," mind you, but "ignore it." I honestly don't believe that "people can easily make trash with it" is a good reason not to make something. Although, I can understand why you want the trash to stay away.
sad fact, though: you can make trash with hammer, too. just place a few objects everywhere and there you go. :/
3) they do have a moderator to check it, msleeper even made a post saying, moderator check maps to make sure every map are not playground, fullbright, and will delete them.
Oh, okay!
4) hammer is like AutoCAD, it makes great architectural features, design, everything that the source engine uses, while the map creator looks like what a child would use, and limits the potential of the game itself
And besides, I bet if you decompile one of valve's "special maps" and import them into the creator = CRASH + ERRORS.
Well, honestly, the level creator looks like it's intended to be for beginners. What's wrong with that? People can use this to get started, then move on to Hammer if they want more customization. I see no issue here! Also, limiting potential? Not everyone wants to make levels that use the stuff in Portal 2 to its fullest potential, like me. I just want to make something fun. :/ And I am 100% sure that however this creator turns out, I will be able to use it to fulfill my goal. 
my responses are in bold.
Also, Spam Nugget, I see one point to this editor: IIRC, it's been stated that it will be on the console versions of the game. This appeals to me, since I honestly prefer playing my PS3 copy of the game instead of on Steam, but only because my computer can't handle Portal 2 that well. (Don't ask why 'cause I don't know. All I know is, it can run it "good", but tends to start slowing down every so often; doesn't do that on my PS3.)
This would be neat if it was like ASW's Tilegen, you can use it to easily make basic geometry and test elements, then export a VMF to make use of all Hammer's features.