7 Jan
2005
7 Jan
'05
7:02 p.m.
In a nutshell,
and barring all the technical details to get
there, there should be a method by which audio applications
can simultaneously, and easily, write to the speakers .
If possible, not only speakers. If we could manage to make
JACK the common audio layer, then it even would be possible
to write a jackclient that takes the audio from an other
application and streams it over tha web - live, of course,
not simply reading a file. We could play together over the
internet :) !
A user of any
audio app wants to hear the output on his speakers just as
a gimp user needs to see the results of a graphics program
on the screen. I don't think it's a complicated issue, but
the variations of low-level audio applications make it out
to be. Perhaps the issue stems from what makes linux so
popular -- it's openness.
Yes. We have the freedom to choose - but the common user does
not want to choose. He simply expects that his operating
system can play sound at any time from any application.
I assume that
there are several ways that a user can set up
linux to drive graphics to a display, but all I know is
Xserver. This viewpoint begs the question that maybe x.org
is the "vehicle" -- both technically and politically -- to
promote and maintain a common method to write to the
speakers. X.org seems rather big, so it might be the wrong
organization, but then again, it's power might make it the
right choice. Perhaps programmers of current low-level
audio apps will feel that they may lose control by
approaching this organization. Then again, it might
significantly elevate the need of audio in the linux
community by utilizing the x.org organization as the
vehicle to promote and develop a Unified Audio Driver.
If we'd be able to offer a perfect solution, it'll be used by
the distributors.
But of course it would need a bit of
promotion and 'marketing'.
The question is if we are willing and able to drive this;
maybe we are not the right people to do so.
Ah.. that was my point.
But if we do not
know how to do it, who else ;-) ?
First, we'd need a general idea how to do a common audio
layer.
There are plenty of smart people here -- and I'm sure they have a
variety of skills that can be utilized: programming, system, marketing,
management between organizations, etc. The main issue is that there is
no cash incentive. Unless you are refering to starting a company and
obtaining needed capital.