> >actually, i have to note that this is not so obvious. there are *many* > >people using ALSA. we've all sworn our way through the process. > >there is *no* point in reminding this list about the need for > >documentation. the current state is pitiful, ... > > many folks seem to think there is a > >large group of people working on ALSA: there is not. > >I have tried and failed to understand that remark. I >stumble over the following apparent inconsistencies: > ++ On one hand we agree that the current state is pitiful. > ++ I would think and hope that reminders are almost > unnecessary because the pitifulness is so obvious. > -- But why start out by saying it is not obvious?
because its not clear to me that a lot more people would be using ALSA today if it had been better documented over the last year or so. the central problems with using ALSA over the last 12-18 months have not really been lack of documentation but lack of API stability. > -- Usually swearing is not considered a good thing. and it wasn't this time either. my point was merely that quite a number of us having written applications of varying degrees of sophistication around ALSA without any documentation. it was painful, very painful during the time that jaroslav and abramo kept changing the API, but it has become a lot less so nowadays. the problem is there is still no documentation to make it easier for people starting to use ALSA now, and those of us who have figured it out no longer have the motivation to write it. > -- And note that if the documentation were better, > more people would be willing and able to help > work on the project! In a collaborative project, > lack of documentation and short-handedness create > a vicious circle! i disagree. there seem to be very few people interested in working on alsa-kernel or alsa-lib. most people want a nice, easy to use API so that they can dump sounds to an audio interface or possibly record them. the number of people with the skills, knowledge and interest in working on ALSA has always been remarkably low. on the other hand, having more documentation is almost always a good thing. now, where are the volunteers? --p ------------------------------------------------------- This sf.net email is sponsored by:ThinkGeek Welcome to geek heaven. http://thinkgeek.com/sf _______________________________________________ Alsa-devel mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/alsa-devel
