Re: [linux-audio-dev] RE: MMA memebership [was XAP: Some thoughts on control ramping] - Linux-audio-dev

23 Jan 2003

Ron Kruper said:

...
 The MMA is a trade association, akin to a standards
body like the AES. 
Do you also object to the fact that AES, IEEE, etc, charge membership 
dues, and that they too hold evolving standards discussions for  members >only?
How does the fact that this happens to be _software_ 
standard >mandate that dues be waived?

I wasn't suggesting that dues be waved but that they may not be 
neccessary. Paul makes a point in terms of anittrust legal fees but 
surely the lgpl solves that problem.

...
 This isn't about being for or against open source,
or a lack of
understanding. This is about recognizing that developing and  supporting >a
standard requires legal work, marketing, publications, 
etc, and that >these cost money. Call it "old economy" if you must, but 
if you want to
...
 interoperate with the major companies in the industry,
the MMA is forum
where they gather, and the MMA has a cost structure associated with it. 
Where's the legal work involved in applying for example the lgpl to this 
standard? Sure there is investment in the marketing and publications 
side of things. We all know that the mass market needs it's eye candy. 
But there should be very little legal fees associated with a truely open 
standard.

If companies need to purchase the documents and specs to feel that it is 
worth something then they should be the ones paying for the goods.

However I don't won't to appear negative towards the workings of the 
MMA. I want to suggest that the open source community has been working 
in the direction you are heading for a while and that maybe the MMA 
should be looking into why it is working so well. Which is possibly the 
same reason you are here now.

Linux has proven to be the perfect medium for hardware manufacturers to 
get an equal footing. The truely large corporations are investing big 
bucks into GNU/Linux because of this. It makes sense that any 
professional who makes their business around computer technology would 
want to be here too.

...
 IMO the *worst* possible scenario is that the
commercial companies 
(many of whom are a one man show) decide that they want to join the 
MMA, while a sizeable group of others decide to persue a parallel 
effort. That gives us 2 standards, and nobody wins. 
I'm sure everyone agress this is definitely something we don't want.

The developers who created the current music software industry must have 
felt the crush when PC's first arrived, well it's happening again but 
this time it's not forcing you into a proprietry business model. This 
time you actually have a choice.

Anyways, it's good to see you and others like yourself arriving here.

-- 
Patrick Shirkey - Boost Hardware Ltd.
For the discerning hardware connoisseur
Http://www.boosthardware.com
Http://www.djcj.org - The Linux Audio Users guide
========================================

Being on stage with the band in front of crowds shouting, "Get off! No! 
We want normal music!", I think that was more like acting than anything 
I've ever done.

Goldie, 8 Nov, 2002
The Scotsman