2009/3/23 Nick Copeland <nickycopeland(a)hotmail.com>
Does this not contradict your argument? Without automatic connections the
user now does need to know all about the jack application framework since
otherwise they cannot get a jack application to make a sound. Maybe that is
just in the details of what you are trying to say, but either the user needs
to know a lot about several different applications and do it all for
themselves, or if they know little to nothing they need to have the system
do what it can for them.
I agree that there needs to be an option to either auto-connect or not, my
personal opinion is that auto-connect should be the default since the
alternative of knowing everything puts too high a barrier to entry on Linux
systems. What I mean by "knowing everything" is that without some
auto-config then a first time user needs to find out and understand all the
reasons and options that are preventing their application generating audio.
The opposing situation is that an experienced user would have to find out
the correct way to tune their environment overriding the auto-config
features, something they are going to have to do anyway. There are plenty of
similar mandates from other musical technologies, even MIDI specified that
an instrument, per default, should always come up first time in OMNI mode
and accept MIDI from any channel. That way the first time user can connect a
cable and get started. Once they are happy they can bolt down their own
channels, settings, etc, that fit their developing environment.
This subject has come up at several times before and auto-connect/config
are often seen as 'dumbing down'. This is generally not the case since the
apps almost invariably have enough options for people to tweak and play with
so the whole installation is not any dumber, it just has a lower barrier to
entry.
All this talk about speaker combinations does not really relate to
auto-connect, no? If somebody has indeed built such a configuration and made
it work then they should probably be relied upon to prevent automatic
connections and a variety of other mistakes since otherwise, if they are not
aware of how to do so, they will probably end up inflicting the same damage
on themselves, ie, they should know to look into these issues beforehand or
should not have deployed and been in charge of such an impressive
installation.
Regards, Nick.
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Nick, i'd have to disagree with this.
It's only 2 years i've been in linux, and as a new user, i was the Gandalf
of user errors.
But it wasn't Jack or client operation that held me back, it was the install
and setup process.
Operating Jack was easy, including cabling ports. It was figuring out the
tweaks, compatability, etc, that took time, and patience.
So i'm one of those users that you say is indicative of an autoconnect
dumbing down process. I think you missed the mark.
Next, and now i'm a little wiser using linux, the LAST thing i'd want is an
app autoconnecting into my patiently built, sweat laden, and just plain
large orchestral templates, for any reason. (And you can include
autodisconnect in this.)
Porting and connecting is live, and should be user defined.
However, if you clever chaps who code want to make the install and tweak
process a little smoother, for 'the new users', in the manner you imply, you
should probably add more pictures...
I've learnt to enjoy the thrills and unfettered excitement of using the
Terminal, but for those who just may be a little more apprehensive, pictures
could help.
It couldn't be easier for the user to port apps together in
Jack/Qjackctl/Patchage, etc..
I reckon it would take MORE time to sort out an entirely autoconnected
client setup, particularly if it wasn't the settings you wanted.
That would be like doing the job twice.
2 roubles worth
Alex.
Parchment Studios (It started as a joke...)