[linux-audio-user] Common linux audio layer

[Dave Phillips]

Greetings:

A bit of a ramble, but bear with me...

Hannu Savolainen wrote:

>OSS is another open source project with an alternative closed source
>version. Are there any political problems? Surprise surprise there are
>political problems. There are BIG political problems. Big enough to start
>a jihad against OSS. Since the announcement of the commercial OSS
>alternative also the freeware OSS version has been contaminated. So it
>must be removed from the kernel and replaced by another interface that is
>free from anything that looks, smells or tastes like OSS. Even if creating
>this alternative driver is going to take takes 7 years (or more) of time
>  
>
Hannu, you know I love ya, man, but are you being completely candid with 
this crowd ? From my POV the "political" problem is simply this: There 
was an apparent conflict of interest between one same group managing the 
kernel audio sources and running a business based on those sources. Even 
you have admitted that it was a mistake for you to attempt to control 
the kernel audio sources. I'm not going to bash OSS, the API has 
provided a common performance layer that has been decent enough for 
amateur desktop audio, and I'm sure it's evolved to accommodate more 
professional applications. But it's done so *after the appearance of 
ALSA*, which pursued goals which then seemed to be addressed only by the 
commercial OSS/Linux.

Hannu, AFAICT there were no oss-devel or oss-users mail lists that 
presented an open invitation for developers and users to take part in 
the creative and decision-making processes that would drive the 
development of an open-source kernel audio layer. IIRC there was a sense 
that you and Dev pretty much ran the show when it came to Linux audio, 
which is not necessarily a bad thing at all, but it raises eyebrows to 
consider that you also run a business based on that show. A critical 
user cannot escape the possibility that you might favor your business 
interests over the interests and contributions of users and 3rd-party 
developers. And while I have great faith and trust in your integrity, 
faith and trust are neither binding or reliable. The GPL is.

For those readers who may not be aware of the facts, Hannu is one of the 
founders of Linux audio at the kernel layer. His company, 4Front 
Technologies, supplies an excellent package of sound drivers 
(OSS/Linux), and he is one of the principal authors of the OSS API.

"Jihad" is a bit extreme in this use, don't you think ? OSS was not 
providing what more and more users wanted from a kernel audio system. 
The development process was perceived to be relatively exclusive and a 
more open alternative was demanded. Hence, ALSA, which is here to stay. 
What about the possibility that you could work directly with the ALSA 
team towards greater improvement of kernel audio ? As an end-user I have 
no stake in the differences between OSS and ALSA, I just want the best 
possible sound system for my professional and other uses for my Linux 
audio software.

ALSA has no doubt bit into your business. And it is probably equally 
true that the OSS API has evolved to a far more capable kernel audio 
layer. But Hannu, who wrote that API ? Were any members of the LA* 
groups involved ? Was there any announcement to the effect that the OSS 
developers would welcome input from the development community at large ? 
You know these things matter to Linux users and developers alike, and 
*any* Linux-based project loses points the more it appears to be a 
closed and exclusive process. Yes, even the X project.

Please, everyone, I'm so tired of polemics. My current opinion is, "If 
you're not part of the solution, maybe you shouldn't be using Linux". 
(That's the general "you" there, Hannu, I certainly don't mean you 
yourself). So if there's a real problem between talented developers, my 
wish as a user is that it be worked out to everyone's benefit. A rosy 
view, to be sure, but I guess I do have a fair bit of faith and trust 
after all...

And Hannu, you have my highest regards for the work you and Dev have put 
into the development of Linux audio. It is questionable whether we would 
be so far along if not for your efforts.

Best always,

dp