I thought i'd add a quick note here, from the perspective of a classical music writer, as to the success of mostly latest builds of various tools i use.
A big part of frustrating challenges with a former life in win/mac has been the general lack of resource for ports, channels, etc.. For orchestral writing, we're dealing in large numbers that are often not even thought of, or within the mindset of commercial developers.

Step in Linux, and those that know me will also be aware of my now ten months worth of enthusiasm and determination to take advantage of the new perspective that linux and it's audio tools offers.

So, the setup, one of several i have as templates.

UbuntuStudio Hardy.
I have this in 64 and 32bit boots, and it's my modest experience that leads me to the 64bit version as an all round better option. It seems to run better.

Jackdbus.

Frankly, this rocks. I'm probably about a month behind the latest updates, but, well, if it ain't broke.... Jack, imho, is the difference that puts linux audio as a viable writing and recording environment ahead of the rest. I've had this opinion since the beginning of my linux journey, and it's become even more certain as my knowledge and usage grows.

Linuxsampler

This has been a big part of my linux life, and that's not going to change. As an orchestral writer, just the process of setting up a full orchestra template is a time consuming task, and LS streamlines that, and reduces the level of donkey work. And it performs well, in a stable fashion, and responsive to all sorts of pressures. The new features only enhance what is the core of 'parchment studios', and frankly, i'd be lost without it.

Patchage, Ingen.

Yesterday i spent the day reinstalling the LAD repository, and associated dependencies, to enable LV2 plugin usage. (Redland 1.0.8 isn't in ubuntu repos yet, so installed from latest source)
Once up and running, this rocks too, and importantly, no xruns, no glitches, etc. Dave Drobilla knows i'm a bit of a fan of Patchage, but Ingen is just as powerful, and a delight to work with. (The new calf lv2 plugins work well, if anyone's interested.) I tried installing packages when i first looked at this, and with my meagre knowledge, had a few interesting moments, but installing as a complete 'set' works, and with the Redland update, install and parameter setting was easy.
Most important for me here, the usage is intuitive.
I look forward to the further integration of Jack, Alsa, Lash, Patchage in the future.

Rosegarden.

For all the challenges going on at the moment with the QT4 build, RG continues to mature, and for me provides an essential part of the writing process. I'm an enthusiastic keystroke user, as i hate the bloody mouse, and RG provides nearly all of the tools to input as purely KS process. But it's also stable, runs well, doesn't cough with the weight of midi data i throw at it, and just keeps going, all day, without problems.

Ardour2
Again, stable, runs all day, seamless interaction with jack, RG, etc... The recent inclusion of full screen region zoom has helped further. I've been lauding the programme where ever possible for good reason, as Ardour, like it's counterparts here, keeps going, all day, without crashing, or the tuxical equivalent of the BSOD.

Jconv

Might seem a bit curious that this little command line progamme sits in amongst the 'heavyweights', but jconv, imho, is a heavyweight in it's own right, and since Dave Griffiths gave me the heads up on this app, it's been in the project as a default. It doesn't chew a lot of resource, and doesn't click or cough when under the pump.



I ask here Fons, that you consider jconv, for future consideration, as an LV2 plugin. Inside of Ingen, i can see Jconv a powerful addition to the armoury. (And i say this from the point of view of an enthusiastic and ongoing user.)

Musescore.

Another essential part of my process, especially for laying out quick drafts on manuscript. I look forward to seeing this app go further, but it't highly usuable now, and i do indeed use it regularly. (I still enjoy the look and feel of parchment, call me old fashioned.)

Aeolus

This one's a definite keeper, and a default part of my particular setup. Great sound, and extremely versatile.
Extremely friendly on resource, and big sound for those Wagnerian moments, as well as subtle for gentler compositional muse.


This is a bit of a watercooler moment for me, and i apologise if there's no real constructive content in here, but i've got a lot of music written recently, and in a moment of reflection, i realised how enjoyable it's been not having to constantly readjust, or revive, twitchy apps, that don't do what they say on the tin. All of the above programmes do, and that's a bottom line for me. Among all you 'rockers', i feel like a bit of a odd man out, and appreciate my requirements are quite a bit different, on occasion. :) , but we have a common goal in more writing, and less tweaking or fixing.

So thanks to you all. I know and read you fellas get involved in the mechanics of app progress, at a level beyond me. But from an ordinary user's perspective, i've never found the writing process more enjoyable. I also understand you're constantly improving, updating, questioning, and discussing your work, often enthusiastically and determinedly, but from the other side of the fence, the benefits are apparent, and profound to chaps like me. I look foward to seeing what you come up with next. (Ardour3, RG QT4, LS plugin and new engine development,  further acceptance and development of LV2, a real and viable opensource sample format, etc....)

I will bluntly defy anyone who dares to suggest that linux audio isn't up to a robust full time challenge as a viable, and in many cases, better alternative to the commercial apps/distros. With a bit of effort on the part of the user (and maybe this is the real difference), the rewards are formidable, and enjoyable. And if a potential new user makes a decision on whether to take on linux, based purely on appearance, well, to be frank, i've kissed a few slightly less attractive women in my time, and their performance hasn't suffered at all.

My regards, and continued appreciation of the efforts you make, for our benefit,

Alex Stone.

p.s. It's Dave Griffiths fault i got mixed up in Linux in the first place, so blame him. Thanks Dave. :) , it's been more than worth it.