[linux-audio-user] Some various questions about system configuration..

[robin]

Dana Olson wrote:
> On 2/1/06, Ruben Lopez <rl1205 at sillylovesongs.com> wrote:
>>  On Wed, 1 Feb 2006 08:27:38 -0500, Dana Olson was like:
>>> On 2/1/06, robin <robin at rektau.ukfsn.org>wrote:
>>> I actually use Ubuntu, I'm just trying to get it as close to DeMuDi
>>> as possible.
>> Just curious... why wouldn't you just use Demudi instead of Ubuntu (or do you just prefer Ubuntu)?
> 
> DeMuDi is too far behind the times, for one. 

In what sense? There has always been a testing distribution, which uses 
latest package versions (from testing) at the time of release, as well 
as the stable one.

I moved to Ubuntu because
> I was bored of maintaining Debian Sid on my desktop. 

For some time Demudi has been linked against Debian testing (etch)

I like the fact
> that they have a really good desktop Linux out there, they give out
> free pressed CDs, and they have predictable release cycles. Plus I
> like Gnome.

There is always a doubt with Ubuntu, not belittling their good 
intentions and practices to date, that their priorities may change at 
some future date.
Demudi has never been a "desktop pc" distribution, but a specialised 
audio project with additional packages provided by the main Debian 
project as the user requires.

> 
> Also, DeMuDi is in a bit of trouble with that sponsor pulling out, so
> it doesn't seem very stable. And Free is trying to get everything into
> Debian anyhow, which means it will all filter into Ubuntu down the
> line.

True that Firenze have withdrawn financial support which means Demudi is 
now a purely voluntary project but in the short period since then new 
contributers have come on board. Demudi is alive and well. Also Demudi 
has been part of Debian for some time as a custom Debian distribution.

> 
> Although I didn't have any issue installing DeMuDi, there are some
> people who use Ubuntu who couldn't get it installed. Ubuntu configures
> everything for them, so they're happy and can get into Linux easily. I
> want to support that, and my goals in making ubuntustudio.com are not
> to undermine any of the other audio distros, but instead to provide
> help for Ubuntu users.
> 
> In short, I do just prefer Ubuntu, but Debian and DeMuDi do not feel
> as cohesive and polished as Ubuntu does.
> 

Granted that some may miss the bells and whistles but functionality has 
been the main priority so far. Ubuntu, correct me if I'm wrong, doesn't 
function as an audio workstation ootb (in the sense of integration and 
performance patching), judging from the few emails received from Ubuntu 
users wanting to use Demudi packages.

> Besides that, when I tried DeMuDi, a lot of apps didn't even launch
> from the menus, and the mixer for my soundcard seemed a little screwy.
> By focusing on Ubuntu, I can learn a lot more about how things work,
> while helping out other Ubuntu users at the same time. It almost makes
> me feel like I'm contributing to the community in some small way.
> 

User reports are an essential part of F/LOSS projects and Demudi 
provides a ticketing system for user reports and of course the friendly 
user mail list.

> I have been discussing with Mark and some people from Canonical/Ubuntu
> about getting Ubuntu to the point where all the manual stuff is
> minimized, with a -rt kernel as an installable option, and decent
> music apps added in. Dapper has almost everything missing from Breezy,
> aside from apps that are not in Debian, and weren't even officially
> part of DeMuDi (om, mx44, dssi, to name a few). 

Parts of DSSI are included with Demudi plus some more apps are available 
at http://willem.engen.nl/debian/ which are Demudi compatible.

I think there is room for another option for musicians, don't you?

The more the merrier. One particular multimedia/audio distribution is 
not going to suit everyone. That's down to individual tastes.

robin