[LAD] Specification issues in open systems

[Fons Adriaensen]

On Sat, Sep 27, 2008 at 08:18:39PM +0200, Paul Davis wrote:

> most of
> us do not have the time or inclination to focus on "newbies to audio
> programming on linux", even if we recognize that this is a problem and
> wish it was otherwise.

I spend on average something like the equivalent of half
a working day each week on responding to off-list requests
for support on some aspect of linux audio programming.

The simple fact is that creating a 'major' audio app
is not a simple task *on any system* and requires a
mix of skills and knowledge that take their time to
build up and mature. It's just not supposed to be easy
for a relative newbie - believing that it should be may
fit some political agenda but is rather foolish.
Linux may democratise access to audio and other media
production tools, and that's a good thing, but it does 
not do so by creating 'instant experts'. 

Regarding the original topic of this thread, I'd like
to make two comments.

First, why should a complete instrument, taking in
MIDI and producing audio, be a plugin in Rosegarden
or any other sequencer ? It would be much more useful
as a standalone app, and probably *a lot* easier to
develop. I wouldn't think for even a fraction of a
second to write Aeolus as a plugin - it would be an
exercise in self-torture of the third degree.

Second, the life of Rosegarden's developers would 
have been a lot easier if they had just concentrated
on trying to be the best MIDI sequencer rather than
also a complete multitrack audio recorder, a mixer,
and a host to software instruments.

Ciao,

-- 
FA

Laboratorio di Acustica ed Elettroacustica
Parma, Italia

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