Release JAD Beta2

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07-09 2007:

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JackLab releases JAD 1.0 beta2

Today, the JAD developers released the second BETA version of their "JackLab Audio Distribution" for interested BETA testers. JAD 1.0 is based on openSuse 10.2 but was adjusted to suit the requirements of the creative user. For music applications the real-time kernel 2.6.19 provides a low latency JACK audio system. The 1,4 GB installation DVD offers about 80 applications covering the audio sector with full VST and multimedia codec support. A LiveDVD with an optional installer will be also available the next days.

The distribution combines many contributions from the open source openSUSE Community. It is compatible with the official openSUSE distribution branch. Updates from Packman are integrated and represent a large part of the professional audio packages. Since JAD combines open source with closed source software, technical director of JAD development, Oliver Bengs, installed the "openSUSE Build Server" technology locally, because the official build server of the openSUSE project do not allow this for legal reasons.

Preconfigured as window manager is the most recent version of Enlightenment DE17. Access to this manager is supported by selected KDE 3.5.7 Lite applications, but an optional installation of the complete KDE is also possible.

JAD provides the important VST support for musician. By integrating WineAsio it is possible to run complete ASIO/VST Windows recording studio environments stable and with low audio latency. JAD also supports native Linux VST and the first open source VST Host, JOST, is included in its most recent version.

Thanks to user feedback to the earlier developer builds (alpha1-3, beta1) and the unbreakable will of the JAD developers to adapt openSUSE to fit their requirements, as well as the stamina of the JAD Community, Beta2 is the first user-oriented build of JAD.

The most annoying bugs were removed, usability and access was enhanced and an online documentation simplifies the first steps. The developers abandoned the idea to use a roadmap based on fixed dates: as soon as the last bugs in BETA 2 are solved the release candidates rc1 and 2 will be released in short succession, followed by the final version. This will "surely" happen before the official releas of openSUSE 10.3 Wink There won't be any more changes in features; however, we will possibly provide an experimental realtime kernel 2.6.21 in the JackLab Update Repository.

Thanks to the now available openSUSE Buildserver Technology the further development of JAD 1.1 - which will then be based on openSUSE 10.3 - should take place relatively simple and fast. Features, such as a complete "1 click WineAsio VST Studio Installer" will further simplify the switch to Linux for the enduser.

Also, the JAD developers noticed that the official openSUSE distribution shows positive signs of change in their areas of focus: thanks to openSUSE Buildservices, ALSA developer Takashi Iwai, for example, prepared a repository with up-to-date ALSA updates and audio applications. Additionally, first discussions between openSUSE developers and members of the JAD team took place in a friendly, open environment. Both sides considered the involvment of JackLab at the openSUSE booth at the Berlin LinuxTag as an enrichment and full success.