From alsa-devel-owner@alsa.jcu.cz  Fri Feb 26 20:32:16 1999
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Date: Fri, 26 Feb 1999 11:29:27 -0800
To: alsa-devel@alsa.jcu.cz
From: "Kevin Duffey" <kduffey@inprise.com>
Subject: Re: Trident's contribution, a draft
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Hi.

>I was planning on sending this to Slashdot, rms, 
>Linux World, and Linux Journal. Let me know of
>any other recipients I should include.

I know this isn't directly related to Linux, but how about sending some
info out in magazines like Keyboard, Computer & Music, etc? I think a LOT
of readers would be interested in knowing that such a project is underway
for Linux and that they may soon have an alternative to the MS world of
music products.



I also believe that while this is all good about some companies releasing
source, we really need support for hardware accellerated soundcards like
the SB Live, Diamond MX series, etc. I haven't seen much yet..just started
with the group..but to be THE premiere system for delivering sound,
supporting devices (soundcards, MIDI, digital audio etc), we really need
solid hardware support. My suggestion, since the GPL doesnt permit
non-source drivers, is to somehow release our specs (GPL should take care
of this) so that other vendors, such as Creative, can write their own Linux
drivers that will interface with ALSA. This means they can freely
distribute the driver (as they do on the wintel platform) but not have to
give up their source code. The only downside is we can't package it with
ALSA, but instead would have to point people to yet another site to
download from. The good side is that we may get support for some hardware
that otherwise just wont be supported because of the GPL. I love the GPL,
but there has to be a way around some of the restrictions. 

If anyone could enlighten me if the above would be an acceptable way to
allow support for devices that the companies dont want to release the
source for, I would be apprecative of knowing. Thanks.



Kevin Duffey
kduffey@inprise.com

