[linux-audio-dev] Read this after your first cup of coffee

[John Check]

On Tuesday 17 August 2004 11:26 am, Dave Robillard wrote:
> On Tue, 2004-08-17 at 07:17, John Check wrote:
> [blah, blah, snip]
>
> > So What's Your Plan Smartass?
> >
> >  First thing is to improve the documentation factor to help make things
> > easier for the brave. Right now it's a Gordian knot and here are what the
> > scissors look like. I expect we all know what a MIDI implementation chart
> > is.
> >
> > I'm going to whomp up a database driven reporting system that extends the
> > concept to include protocol and library support and has some
> > Wiki like features. One will be able to search for specific types of
> > programs with specific criteria like:
> > Sequencers with LADSPA, JACK, DSSI, MESS, OSC, PHAT (Yes PHAT is that
> > cool) Hits will come back in table form with checkmarks in the
> > appropriate columns, ranked by how much of a match and a "freshness"
> > date.
> > The app name will link to the project site and there will be additional
> > links to the primary documentation and the Wiki, if one exists.
> > There will also be a link to and reporting form for an MI chart.
> > Forms will be radio buttons/check boxes/combo boxes.
> > The only text input will be for URLs. This should minimize grammatical
> > and language issues as well as make internationalization easy.
> > Links will be validated at a regular interval and 404's will generate an
> > email to me, or if someone has taken responsibility for a project, that
> > person. Bounced emails to that address will be returned to me for further
> > investigation.
> > This is intended for both developers and end users. It will take no more
> > than 5 minutes to file a complete report.
> > This may sound like a burden for the developers, but no more than a Wiki
> > is a burden on users. I'll prime the pump with some reports on what I use
> > myself. Newly interested users looking to help out on projects should
> > find filing a report to be a good way to begin.
>
> I'm happy to see that this email has finally gotten around to an actual
> concrete task that needs doing...
>
> IIRC, Dave Phillips has said numerous times that he would like
> linux-sound.org to be a better (more automated, database driven) page,
> but doesn't have the time.
>

Yes, I bounced it off him first. I have the resources to host it so he can 
either pull a frame or maybe I'll just host it if that flies with him..

Really I've been running my mouth because the plan of attack was a little hazy
and the time wasn't right. Among other things, that gave me a chance to feel 
you guys out. I also really have to be able to float a business case  to a 
bank, (I've had the good fortune to rub up against some hardcore 
entreprenuers. Failures too, but failure is good) and you gotta have the 
angles covered.
FWIW, I've got a fairly high level guy (SSL rated, Celine Dion records type) 
to bounce concepts off up, and he's sparked a few ideas.
I was mid-end when I was fulltiming it and I know what I would have liked.

Anyway, now that I've said it in so many words, I can get down to business

> I know I wish I could search for only jack/alsa seq apps, and filter out
> all the OSS noise.  page_votes++
>

User ranking? Doable.

> [snip]
>
> > Despite the apparent lack of popularity of the idea, it will have
> > distributed processing as an option. This will allow for incremental
> > penetration and interoperability with
> > existing systems.
>
> Can't say I care even a little tiny bit about the "business angle", but
> jack-over-eth is IMO an incredibly awesome idea.  If noone's working on
> it in a year or so I'll do it for my CS honours project. :)
>

Yeah, well, I know not everybody cares about the business angle, that's why 
sizing up the list culture beforehand is good (I just can't lurk though ;). 
I've seen people come in to lists and say things that sound not dissimilar. 
One can really sound like an idiot.
I figure, if I can get some of you guys blessing, that's only going to help 
the bootstrap process.

> -DR-