On Mon, September 3, 2012 9:22 am, Thomas Vecchione wrote: > This isn't comparing Guitarix or Rakkarak to specific pieces of software, > this is comparing the choices of software for a usage and variety of tools > on Linux to those on Windows or Mac. Guitarix or Rakarrak are just > examples of what exists on Linux, and while I don't use them, just because > they can't do everything that hundreds of pieces of software on Mac or > Windows do, doesn't mean they are incomplete. This is ESPECIALLY true > given your own view of the product goals which you stated... > > I like to let you know that we never have the goal to make a competition > to >> windows or other OS's. We just like to provide a OpenSource Tube >> Amplifier >> emulation. >> > > Your software only provides one specific piece to the selection of guitar > FX software. This is a perfect example of why Linux is different, at least for audio, than other OSs. In another OS you would have one huge application for doing audio. Into this one big application you might drop plugins like VST to provide an effect or instrument. The idea of having a jackbay like jack is foreign to to these companies. That is something they feel should be part of the OS... as it is not they are doing whatever they have to so their product will work be cheap to support and make money. Can you imagine supporting "hey your product doesn't see audio from product xyz, whats wrong?". By making the whole thing in one application, they only have to support one thing. So, IMO, Linux offers something Win/OSX can't or won't ever. Linux allows having many small apps all work together to fill out a whole studio. However, this is a big shift in workflow from other OSs and can make it hard for someone to switch to Linux. (shrugs) such is life. If someone wants the flexibility Linux audio offers... they have to learn the tools. It is the difference between the old porta-studio (I am dating myself I am sure), with built in mixer and tape for multi-track recording and having a full studio of equipment. There is a learning curve. Audio is unique in this because it is real time stuff... that is the sound source, effect, mixing, post-mix effect and recording can all be different apps (in Linux) but all run at the same time. Other OSs don't really have this (or want the hassle of support). Things like Ardour or Rosegarden, (not an exhaustive list BTW) are a great starter for a new Linux user just because they do so much in one program. The learning curve is therefore limited to get started to just a few things :) (Len chuckles at this understatement... but it is not any more of a learning curve than switching from one win/OSx audio app to another) once anyone gets that far, the learning curve to add just one more program outside the big app is not that much... and once someone gets that far, I think they will prefer Linux as a platform... even if they feel they have to use something else for "real" work, they will be watching Linux to see when it "gets there". So those big "entry" apps are probably the most important tool we have as Linux users/promoters to introduce new users to Linux. At the point there are enough people using Linux (home or professional use doesn't really matter) HW/SW companies will start worrying about Linux as a platform they "have" to (think kicking and screaming) support "too" (they would already prefer to support OSX or Win but not both). It does happen. ethernet cards used to only come with windows drivers... then all of a sudden they started to come with Linux drivers... when is the last time you found a NIC without Linux support? -- Len Ovens www.OvenWerks.net _______________________________________________ Linux-audio-user mailing list Linux-audio-user@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx http://lists.linuxaudio.org/listinfo/linux-audio-user
