JackLab Keynote September 05
From JackLab UserWiki
| This page in:
|
| List of avaible languages
|
JackLab is a User4User project. It operates independent of developers, packagers, and distributors
JackLab is considered a project to study the possibilities to build a ProAudioCapable Linux - especially openSUSE Linux - system. The main object of JackLab is not to offer any particular software. We are momentarily only trying to close any large gaps and to make sure that good quality ProAudio/Media will be available. In this context download numbers matter very little, since in our understanding ProAudio software on Linux is very worthy of promotion. What is required here is a reliable and tested source of applications whose operability is assured.
Seasoned users are provided with current versions of hitherto unavailable software for testing. End-users should direct their wishes regarding this type software to these testers.
The ProAudio/RPM packages are tested for their operability and offered then to the software packagers. ProAudio software sets high requirements on the used systems and setting them up is often not all that straightforward.
We provide a list of tested and supported software, distributed by free suse packagers. The packagers are still responsible for the operability of the software bearing their signature. Our offering is intended as a supplement.
JackLab has successfully proven that openSUSE Linux can be used as a DAW when loaded with appropriate applications and an RT kernel.
A number of users are working with early versions of ProAudioSystems on SuSE Linux which have the performance and capabilities similar to established audio-oriented distributions, such as aGNUla DeMuDi (Debian-based) or Planet CCRMA (Fedora Core -based).
With openSUSE 10.0, equipped with the JAD RT kernel, it is possible to have a nicely working DAW with a wide variety of software. The ProAudio solutions incorporated into SUSE environment are workable up to professional needs at this time. We determine the moment when SuSE Linux has reached a proper DAW status and becomes JAD - JackLab Audio Distribution. The path must be sufficiently documented and trackable.
The major goal of JackLab is to cover the needs of producers of music and media.
JackLab is the playground for discussion, suggestions, and recommendations between developers of openSuSE community. This includes openSuSE feature wishlist. OpenSuSE packagers, developers, testers, and kernel-hackers can inform others about their experiences and results.
We promote and request developing of ProAudio on openSuSE. We are determined to keep openSuSE in consistent path of ProAudio, with stability and user-orientedness. JackLab wishes to maintain contact and co-operation with other openSuSE projects.
JackLab attempts to offer a better ProAudio/Media environment than what is available from the default install. The offering in ProAudio with an unoptimised SuSE 9.3 system is certainly with all good intentions, but does not really live up to expectations about ease of use and reliability. The process of rebuilding openSuSE to ProAudio operability is rather complicated (compared to e.g. deMuDi), requiring special knowledge and know-how. For this reason JackLab aims to become a stand-alone openSuSE project. Our mission is to make Linux a viable alternative to people working in music and media environment.
We are going to consider and study how to make openSuSE into an attractive music- and media-making alternative to existing systems. It is also important to offer an easy, well-documented entry for end-users. We ask for all project members to send in and share their experiences and wishes. For this end we offer the infra-structure. Newcomers are provided with support through user4user forums. Internal and user mailing lists incorporate another possibility to participate in ProAudio.
JackLab intends to create a CD image containing a complete music production environment with the help of openSuSE community
I have been able to ignite an interest towards AudioLinux in many discussions with active musicians. Rather prominent pop artists are prepared to look into this when everything is easy to install and configure.
This CD ISO image could be called openSuSE JAD. The three classic components are: an RT kernel, a minimal window manager, and ProAudio applications. Maturally the whole must have an attractive look in order to keep abreast of MacOS X and Windows. The system must be light-weight, yet extendable. To this end we are using the free services of openSuSE Build Server.
In this phase we are dependent on co-operation and information exchange with Novell SuSE and other openSuSE projects, since our method of software development is rather untraditional. We already do possess some such contacts.
The CD image can be distributed via BitTorrent and through openSuSE mirrors. This offers an alternative path into the world of openSuSE. The software can be kept up-to-date via both APT and YaST.
The YaST installer is in this case precofigured to observe the special requirements of a DAW system. My suggestion for the basis of the CD image is to use SUPER Minimal openSuSE CD.
