Subject: Re: [linux-audio-dev] developers and development: some thoughts
From: David G Matthews (dgm4+@pitt.edu)
Date: Fri May 25 2001 - 23:48:19 EEST
I agree completely! This is a great and informative list, but we could
_definitely_ also stand to have a more user-focused listserv.
-dgm
On Fri, 25 May 2001, Dave Phillips wrote:
> Greetings:
>
> When LAD was first founded the name choice (Linux Audio Development)
> was deliberate in order to hopefully accomodate users and developers in
> an open forum. Very obviously the group now tends heavily towards
> developers and their concerns, and many members of the list know it as
> the Linux Audio Developers list.
>
> I have absolutely no problem with this evolution and I'm quite hapy to
> see it continue so. However, I'm wondering if perhaps it isn't time to
> split LAD into something like the comp.os.linux.development newsgroup,
> where there is a further division into c.o.l.d.system and c.o.l.d.apps.
>
> I'm concerned that the high level of discussion surrounding very
> technical issues may be keeping users from voicing their own concerns
> about the development of Linux audio software. For all the traffic on
> LAD there are very few new software announcements, and there is almost
> no discussion regarding other aspects of Linux audio software beyond
> developers' issues. Further, while those issues are of significance to
> all of us, the discussion is at a level open only to those with the
> requisite background (I freely confess that much of it is over my head)
> and/or an interest in those particular issues.
>
> So I'm wondering: Is there any interest in a division into LAD/systen
> and LAD/apps ? The other existing channels (alsa-user mail-list,
> linux.dev.sound, etc) are themselves too narrow or too poorly defined to
> serve as forums for the discussion of issues such as the following:
>
> What audio software does Linux need ?
> How can I use [some Linux audio app here] in a production environment
> ?
> Where can I find software that does [your special needs here] ?
> Who do I talk to about developing custom audio software ?
> Where are we heading ? Who decides how we get there ?
> Is anyone else interested in [your interest here] ?
> How do I get started using this cool stuff ?
> Why is it so difficult to set up [random Linux audio app here] ?
> What should I use if want to [special purpose here] ?
>
> and so forth. I receive a fair amount of mail from people asking such
> questions, and I usually don't mind helping out. However, perhaps
> everyone's purposes could be better served by two lists: one dedicated
> to the concerns of Linux audio software users, and one dedicated to the
> activities of Linux audio software developers.
>
> And as ever, I'm still somewhat dismayed at the number of Linux audio
> coders who are *not* present in LAD traffic. I don't know why this
> should be so: for the most part, LAD members tend to be helpful, very
> bright, and definitely doing Good Things. I've received some messages
> from disgruntled developers who felt that traffic is rather heavily
> dominated by only a few people, but I see that as a natural outcome of
> the interested and capable parties coming together to get something
> done. Still, perhaps we yet have some outreach to do in order to attract
> a larger number of the Linux audio developers who are already doing
> their own Good Things.
>
> I'm rambling now, but I wonder of anyone else has had similar thoughts
> and concerns. Anyone ??
>
> Best regards,
>
> == Dave Phillips
>
> The Book Of Linux Music & Sound at http://www.nostarch.com/lms.htm
> The Linux Soundapps Site at http://sound.condorow.net
>
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