Re: [linux-audio-user] New Sound Subsystem Needed For Qt4/KDE4

Arnold Krille writes: How do you know it doesn't need it? Because no one has required it before? Maybe it doesn't need it because it was never available to be used? This argument reminds me of so many silly ideas in history--the world is flat, char-based consoles is all we need for our powerful mainframe computers -- why should we connect unrelated computers from around the world together in a network, what would they possibly have to share. Once upon a time the planet had not been circumnavigated, all computers used line printers for output, and the Internet was someone's strange idea. Is that a reason for not going around the world? Is that a reason for saying no to GUI and pointing devices? Is that a reason to keep computers isolated?? After all, an isolated computer is certainly secure from viruses, spyware and other malicious invasions. This word keeps coming up. Professional. It's stated over and over in these messages as the reason why KDE cannot adopt Jack. Jack is for "professional use." And KDE isn't? Did I miss the policy statement somewhere that says: "KDE is for amateurs?" "For casual, and occasional computer users?" "For children?" And I thought we were all about building an environment that facilitated anyone's ambition. Want to be a casual user of games when you're 6 years old? Great, we want Linux (and all it's various subparts) to be for you. Want to program C++ when you're 10? No problem, we've got all the tools--no extra price. Want to emmulate Mozart and write a 21st Century multimedia opera when you're 16? No probl .... ..... Wait, it seems you can't use KDE. That would be "professional." Please explain what's wrong with being professional, with supporting professionals, with professionalism. Because these complaints are voiced so much I am coming to believe you are against "professionalism." Maybe your decision is the right one for KDE--maybe it is unfortunate. But you really must come up with better explanations. Even a simple "We don't want to" would make more sense than the than this "not needed" and "it's for professionals" rationale. In point of fact the question, as someone in this thread said, is not whether KDE does X Y or Z at this particular time, but whether KDE has the vision and leadership to step up and forge progress toward a solution the wider community desparately needs. The problem won't go away. Sound management on the Linux platform is a shameful disaster, imho, today. It seems too many decision makers just don't regard audio as important. Well we are sensient beings, we humans. We (most of us) hear, see, smell, touch, and feel. Telling us that any one of these abilities is marginal may make your current task simpler, but it will not engage the wider population of children, casual users, amateurs -- or professionals. This thread has not come about because LAU desperately needs KDE. It has come about because the audio professionals in your Linux familiy see an opportunity to move the Linux environment forward in an area where it currently lags and languishes in indecision and neglect. KDE can choose to say "We're not interested," but that will only push the problem on for the next group which comes to a major rearchitecting. But, sooner or later, the issues will be addressed -- or this environment will wither. I'm convinced it's that fundamental--but that's another email. The only question for KDE is whether they want to be leaders or followers. Janina -- Janina Sajka Phone: +1.202.494.7040 Partner, Capital Accessibility LLC http://www.CapitalAccessibility.Com Bringing the Owasys 22C screenless cell phone to the U.S. and Canada. Go to http://www.ScreenlessPhone.Com to learn more. Chair, Accessibility Workgroup Free Standards Group (FSG) janina(a)freestandards.org http://a11y.org