Which provides features that are very technically advanced & cool, and probably don't look like NI's newest synth. I don't see a problem there, the "problem" arises when somebody who *IS* used to seeing the pretty flashy lights & dials looks at it and goes "eww". But if that's the dev's problem or the users problem is something I feel is worth discussing.

If the dev is looking for funding from the userbase, its obvious to say that the dev should work on features that the userbase want. If that's a flashy UI to a 3x Osc, lets go do that. There might be far more advanced features that the dev is capable of doing, that perhaps only 20% of the users will even know about, but that pushes technology to the limit. That's what a dev wants to work on, because its new, and a challenge, but *not* what users will provide funding for. This is not a good trait for the big picture, as pushing technology is what the linux audio scene is currently getting recognition for.

Another angle to look at this is from "dev talent" vs "challenging work". Ie: if a huge talented DSP programmer is to "spend" (read waste) thier time creating fancy UI's, then "dev-talent" > "challenging work", so the productiveness of the whole isn't maximized.

In the same way if "challenging work" > "dev-talent" we have the same situation, where productiveness isnt maxed, as the dev will have to read docs / tutorials / ask for help. Of course this does lead to learning, and after learning understanding & then "dev" > "challenge" again.

Example: I'm comfortable using Cairo, and if somebody hands me a Gtk::DrawingArea, I'll throw a Synth UI together without too much pain. With that in mind, I've never written a LV2 plugin, and for me to write a synth engine would be a case of "challenge" > "dev". To get the job done right in as little time, I'd need to work together with somebody who knows LV2 dsp stuff well, but not much Cairo.

I'm interested in opinions from community to see if it is plausible / possible / other to collaborate (more than we already are)?
Cheers, -Harry

PS: I concidered moving to a new topic.. but then thought nah :)