Open Source Recording Computers

[edub357]

[QUOTE=superpete;138817]I like the idea of special "priveledges"..although it does sound kinda kinky [/QUOTE

I know doesn't it? I thought of this after i posted it lol its all good tho but it would be good to have some extra benefits here and then.

[brandondrury]

How is there profit in this? and how is it like the linux model?

I think these two go hand in hand....sort of.

I don't think hardware can ever be free at least not in extreme circumstances. So this immediately rules out any strict definition of open source.

However, if we can excuse this fact and just accept it as a given that a hard drive costs money, the rest of the parts of the process can be free or close to it. The construction can be free or most likely minimal in cost. The expertise in setting the thing up (the $1,000 difference between a Dell and a Sweetwater computer) could be free. The shipping is another fixed cost.

So maybe it's more of a psuedo-open source concept. Maybe it's non profit. Maybe it's just a cheaper computer.

The end result is you pay $500-600 for a computer that costs $2,000 on Sweetwater. If you run into a snag and you need to talk to a real person you can do so at $2/minute.

As for the profit side, it isn't going to make billions. It's not supposed to. The computer itself would have just enough padding built into the price to make the business model work.

The computers will be cheaper than others out there? How?

The same way my Quad core rig in my studio now cost me $400 to put together. Computer parts aren't all that expensive. At least they aren't as expensive as Dell or whoever implies.

For a big company that needs superbowl commercials, has an already agreed on price point that all competitors adhere to, and a huge support system, it's easy to see how their prices get inflated.


Brandon

[wheatgrinder]

I think the opposite of an open source system that you sell support for is where you could make money.

The cell phone model is more apropos. Cell phones are cheap because the service provider offsets the cost by billing your for cell service. The phones are NOT open sourced "style", rather, you have to be a hacker to unlock them for other service providers etc...

Create a closed TURN KEY audio workstation, where you charge for software\hardware updates. Includes OS, audio IO and software. The users cannot update the software themselves, Find someway to lock up the hardware (virtualy) so that they have to take a software package updates from the vendor.

Sell the hardware at a loss for $500.

Charge for:

• Printed manuals
• Tech support
• Hardware updates
• Software updates
• Expanded IO

[trevorwilliams]

Linux is not a "primarily command line driven" operating system. Hasn't been for years. These days the main differences between Linux and Windows are a. Linux looks better, b. Linux doesn't crash as often, and c. Linux gives you access to a metric shitload of free software, lots of which you'd swear was commercial.
If you're serious about a Linux recording environment, you should really check out Ubuntu Studio.
Oh, this is my first post! Hi everybody!

[midKnight]

Originally Posted by trevorwilliams

Linux is not a "primarily command line driven" operating system. Hasn't been for years.

Wow. Tell me you're kidding. Linux is the definition of command line driven OS's. Have you ever tried to install an ethernet card in a linux box? Or any other card for that matter? It's all command line baby.

Sure, you can get a GUI for linux, but any linux purist will thumb their nose at you, if you care about such things.

Originally Posted by trevorwilliams

These days the main differences between Linux and Windows are a. Linux looks better,

To whom? That's a totally subjective opinion, one to which I wouldn't agree.

Originally Posted by trevorwilliams

b. Linux doesn't crash as often,

Here's the only point I *might* agree with you on. However if you don't know what you're doing, you're just as likely to make a doorstop as a stable install. (If you can get a stable install completed, especially with the myriad of hardware options available to the average user these days.)

Originally Posted by trevorwilliams

If you're serious about a Linux recording environment, you should really check out Ubuntu Studio.

I don't think anyone has *ever* been serious about building a recording rig using linux. I could be wrong tho.

Don't misunderstand me, I'm not a linux hater. Linux is the bomb, for the right job (such as a webserver). It's second to none for that task.

Originally Posted by trevorwilliams

Oh, this is my first post! Hi everybody!

Greetings! Normally I'm not this...argumentative out of the gate, especially to new people here, so my apologies!, it's just one of those nights!

[trevorwilliams]

Originally Posted by midKnight

Wow. Tell me you're kidding. Linux is the definition of command line driven OS's. Have you ever tried to install an ethernet card in a linux box? Or any other card for that matter? It's all command line baby.

Sure, you can get a GUI for linux, but any linux purist will thumb their nose at you, if you care about such things.

I used to consider myself a purist, but after 20 years of using different Unix variants, I'm really more of a pragmatist. I switched to Ubuntu just about a year ago, and everything *just worked*. Naturally, you have to keep an eye on your hardware, the list of supported components isn't quite as comprehensive as for Windows. I built a box from scratch with Ubuntu in mind.

Originally Posted by midKnight

To whom? That's a totally subjective opinion, one to which I wouldn't agree.

You got me there. There are, however, way more options for customizing your visual experience. Even Vista is just starting to catch up.

Originally Posted by midKnight

Here's the only point I *might* agree with you on. However if you don't know what you're doing, you're just as likely to make a doorstop as a stable install. (If you can get a stable install completed, especially with the myriad of hardware options available to the average user these days.)

Installation has actually come a long way. As I said before, mine was effortless. If you're concerned about your hardware, you can burn yourself a live cd to boot from, and take the OS for a test drive without installing anything on your computer.

Originally Posted by midKnight

I don't think anyone has *ever* been serious about building a recording rig using linux. I could be wrong tho.

Being new to home recording, I couldn't say. There does seem to be a pretty lively online community, and some extremely polished studio apps available, so people are obviously putting a lot of time into it.

Originally Posted by midKnight

Don't misunderstand me, I'm not a linux hater. Linux is the bomb, for the right job (such as a webserver). It's second to none for that task.

Greetings! Normally I'm not this...argumentative out of the gate, especially to new people here, so my apologies!, it's just one of those nights!

No problem! I expected a lively discussion the moment I posted.

[adorian]

Why not just offer support? I think that's what it boils down to, something like Geeksquad but for musicians. I am surprised Guitar Center hasn't picked up on the idea yet!

[cakewalkgg]

Originally Posted by adorian

Why not just offer support? I think that's what it boils down to, something like Geeksquad but for musicians. I am surprised Guitar Center hasn't picked up on the idea yet!

the problems are too widespread, better to support a known platform. Im having a hard time imagining this working. first, most recording musicians (whether they liked it or not) have become at least fairly computer savvy. Also, it sounds like the money is to be made on the 1-900 number. If your building known and tested PC's, there wont be too many problem to support. I guess there may be calls made to get support with software the users are trying to add or connetivity type issues..
Tough one, my gut feeling is it probably wouldnt work.. but I picked the Broncos to go 3-13 this year

[newkid]

The problem is not hardware. It is software.

Linux would avoid the microsoft problems of running too much stuff slowing everything down and boosting latency problems as well as interrupting your work causing clicks and pops. Win is just not a real time system.

Advantage mac more or less. But apple/mac has other problems.

Providing drivers for exixting DAWs on a linux system and also support could have market appeal. Team with one of the free/shareware linux software folks to do a good linux DAW would be better.

Lots of good cheap (and really wowweee expensive) linux boxes out there.
Some with linux and hardware support already. Its the software that matters.

But certainly should consider offering a package of a box plus the software for folks who just don't want to mess with pcs more than they have to.

How about a 4 cpu pc running 4 Tflops and no software gotchas like win.
You could run oodles of channels, with F/X up the gazoo and have no problems.

[willjrockstar]

I didnt read through all of the post so i dont know if this has been mentioned or not, but it seems to me like support might be outdone by forum chatting or any sort of linux trouble shooting thread or site.