[linux-audio-dev] Re: [linux-audio-user] Free Software vs. Open Source: Where do*you* stand?

[Thorsten Wilms]

On Mon, Feb 20, 2006 at 11:15:48PM -0500, a Zombie wrote:
 *too much*


I used to make music with just an old workstation (Korg M1), 
so I was used to live with limitations. Maybe that helps 
me to get along now.

Part of what I wanted to have was a good simple sampler for  
Drums and some FX. Specimen stalled just when it was about 
to become a solution thanks to multiple jack outs.
But currently, I'm not interested in using samples, besides 
a few effects, maybe. Prefer synthesized drums via Om now.

Always dreamed of a nice modular synth and couldn't afford one 
of the propietary offerings back when I was ok with using 
Windows. Now there is Om. It's quite good and the next release 
will be realy good. I helped Dave a bit with UI decisions and  
enjoyed it very much. Couldn't take part in the development of 
any closed software like that (even if someone would listen, 
I wouldn't like to pay for my own ideas later on).
The online support can't be surpased, it's not very scalable, 
though.

Somewhen around the Milennium, when I had no internet access and  
didn't know shit about Linux and co, I bought Cubase VST.
Was a great tool, except when it crashed and took Windows with 
it. I hate to spend money on crashing software.
I would have had to buy an update to make it run on a newer 
than 98 Windows. Win 98 doesn't like PCI Express. This lockin/
update stuff is one very big reason for me to stay away from 
propietary software.
Another one is copy-protection and how it gets in the way of 
hounest customers only, as the crackers laugh.

I like the idea of being able to revisit projects after several 
years. Open Source makes this far more likely to work.
I hate the idea to put hours and hours of work into closed 
file formats. It's like putting my work into black boxes that 
are someone else's property. How nice of them to grant me acces 
to my own work! With DRM and stuff this can only become worse.

MIDI sequencing is still rather painful on Linux, but can only 
become better. MusE is quite close, there are just some nasty
issues. I will accept a hit to my productivity (have to do 
some others things, anyway) and rather stay in control.

Finaly, I make music for the fun of it, not for being the best.
In this age of diversity and plentifulness, creativity is much 
about being just that bit different, I think (being all 
different means burning bridges).

Zombies and Windows might just fit, though.


Cheers,
Thorsten Wilms