...
...I stay with Linux, specifically Vector, because it offers me a community experience you can't get with most other operating systems. Case in point: on most other computer fora, you would probably get a response like "STFU n00b" or perhaps plain indifference. That didn't happen here.
JMO
I've used Macs in a computer lab setting back in the day. I am no stranger to the little "bomb" thing (the Mac equivalent of the MS "blue screen of death"). I also had a virus eat a word-processor file I was working on!
Your response and others like it bear out your point about community versus the fraternity mentality I've found elsewhere.
I'm only new to Linux. I've been using computers of one kind or another for many years (CP/M, anyone?). I guess for me, switching to Linux is like going from a Chevy or Lincoln to a sports car which performs wonderfully for the most part but is constantly in the shop!
If Debian and Windows work for you why don't you continue to use it?
Because the flavor of Windows I was using was a lot more crashy and aggravating. At least Linux holds up a lot better. Debian, and especially Ubuntu were full of mysterious defects which I couldn't pin down. For instance, CDs burned under Ubuntu with K3B would not play properly in my (admittedly finicky) car stereo while discs burned under Windows, Debian, SUSE or Vector - with the same hardware - played fine.
I'm sick of being frustrated.
I certainly agree with that. Please look at the
whole problem before just jumping. ... ...
...Your reports about Audacity is usually one of two
problems the way the program was compiled or a
different version. The different version should not
really be the case but I have seen it. Have you done
any research for audio editing?...
Your thoughts (rant) is certainly understandable. If that is
all this is then rant away most of us have broad shoulders.
It can be lonely not having someone to talk you through things
as well as frustrating. In the MAC world it can be the same as
well.
Bigpaws
Thank you, Bigpaws. People with broad shoulders are definitely a life-saver for this recovering Windows user! I appreciate your level-headed and non-judgemental response. It is rather lonely, knowing only one person locally who knows what Linux is about. I did Google up a local Linux users group. They won't be meeting for another month unfortunately, but it's a start.
My real-world friend knows many of the fundamentals of Linux (it was at his suggestion that I decided to try Linux! He's the one who recommended Vector to me.) Unfortunately, his primary activities seem to be watching DVDs and videos, playing games and downloading things. He has no experience or expertise even with basic stuff like printing, let alone audio drivers and such.
As for audio editing, I've edited and processed sound in the digital domain since the radio station I DJ'd for swapped our aging reel-to-reel analogue tape decks for a 450 Mhz Pentium II with 256 MB of RAM, a 6GB hard drive, and a copy of Cool Edit Pro! Prior to that, I edited sound with a razor blade and splicing tape. Once I started digital sound processing, I never looked back!
The link you pointed m to is an excellent overview of Linux audio tools.
But let's say you're an audiophile like me and you want to do some recording. ...
I am and I can. But I too had some trouble to get my audio card and my usb->midi device working properly. I know how frustrating it is when hardware doesn't work the way it should.
How did you eventually solve the problem?
... ...
... I love using [linux] and always feel very frustrated when I have to use Windows.
Tell me about it!
Well, I too wish I had the perfect OS. ...Hanumizzle pointed out why I stick with VL verses some other distro - the community is by far the best.
Mike
It certainly is.
Tomh38 - I posted my rant for the same reason lots of folks rant about things - frustration. I'd had a thread going about my Audacity/ALSA problems for a few weeks, and despite responses and advice from some very helpful people, and my own efforts, the problem remains a tough-dog issue which refuses to let itself be solved.
I'm not a programmer, so getting deep into the workings of ones and zeros isn't in the cards for me. I hear what you're saying about diligently diving into as much info about the new OS I'm trying to adopt as possible, though I sometimes get stuck a lot on some technical issues. I'm computer-literate enough to tell my sister that the reason her WIN XP machine won't boot is probably due to either a hard drive malfunction, data corruption due to other causes, or a bad IDE controller on her motherboard, based upon her over-the-phone description. (I do hope she's backed up her files. it's amazing how many people won't invest the few minutes to burn a disc or hook up an external HD to keep their data from going missing). But mostly, I use my computer(s) for processing sound, still pictures and audio. IOW, I consider myself to be a slightly above-average user.
Perhaps another respondent's suggestion of double-booting between VL and Windows might be the only way to go, at least for now.
Film at 11.
As for perfection, I know that it only exists on television. In the commercials.
