/srv/irclogs.ubuntu.com/2012/06/01/#ubuntustudio-devel.txt

Len-nbJust something to know, at least one of the screen saver we ship has a memory leak. Bug #1007257, It makes low values of swappiness appear to not work. "Blank Screen Only", which we default to is fine.04:35
ubottuLaunchpad bug 1007257 in xscreensaver (Ubuntu) "glschool, and maybe others has memory leak" [Undecided,New] https://launchpad.net/bugs/100725704:35
Len-nbIf someone complains of "swap hell" after the system has run over night, first question should be what screen saver do you use?04:37
micahgheh, that's an old bug :)04:39
* micahg used to wake up to xscreensaver crashing04:41
Len-nbmicahg, could be, I was testing different values for swappiness... It looked like it made no difference till I changed the screen saver.05:29
scott-workhi ronoc16:08
ronochey scott-work 16:09
scott-worki'm good for the next thirty minutes probably if you want to talk16:09
scott-work_sorry, webchat crapped out on me, ronoc, i'm good for the next thirty minutes probably if you want to talk16:13
ronocscott-work, okay cool so what should we use ?16:15
ronochangout, skype ?16:15
scott-work_hmmm, i'm at work and probably can't do either to be honest :/16:15
ronocokay cool16:15
ronocso what do you wanna chat about ?16:16
scott-work_unless you wanted to wait another six hours?16:16
=== scott-work_ is now known as scott_work
ronocscott-work_, can't i'm afraid16:16
scott_workokay :)16:16
scott_worki spoke with john at UDS (don't know his last name but he works with artwork) and he mentioned you doing audio work16:16
scott_workhe also mentioned that you commented on the kernel and wanted to get more information on your experience with it16:17
* scott_work apologizes, he is trying to irc while doing work email and office visits concurrently :/16:18
ronocscott_work, yes i use avstudio for my performance16:19
ronocwork16:19
ronocjust because i need to low latency16:19
scott_workah! which has an RT kernel, no?16:19
ronoc<8ms16:19
ronoci use the low latency kernel16:19
ronocwith firewire16:19
ronocecho audio16:19
scott_workronoc: have you tried the current kernel we use? the lowlatency kernel in the repos?16:19
ronoci haven't to be honest16:19
scott_worki think holstein has the same firewire device and was getting stupid low latnecies, like 1,45 ms16:19
ronocwow16:20
ronocokay i can try that16:20
scott_workyeah, it was crazy16:20
scott_worki tested with a single core dell machine and onboard sound and got stable 5msec latencies16:20
ronocokay cool16:20
scott_workronoc: i'll be direct as well, i worry about misconceptions and awareness that are around the real time kernel16:21
scott_workand also real time vs the lowlatency kernel16:21
ronocsure16:21
scott_workso i admit i'm a little punchy when i hear people talk about them :P16:21
ronocfair enough16:21
scott_workronoc: but the other thing i wanted to talk about...do you have any suggestions on what we could do to make ubuntu studio better?16:22
scott_worksystem settings? include idfferent applications? change background colour?  whatever :)16:22
* scott_work admits he has avlinux but hasn't really played with it very much16:22
ronocscott_work, I'll be honest scott_work I would need to work with it for a bit. i haven't had that much time over the past while - I will it try when i get some time.  16:26
ronocscott_work, also for this cycle I'm going to be working on other stuff besides audio16:27
ronocwe have had a big reorg here on the developer16:27
scott_workack16:28
ronocside16:29
scott_workbut i would love to have direct feedback from someone who is really uses and understands the tools :)16:29
ronocaye16:29
ronocscott_work, believe me i would love to have all my time working on the audio experience16:29
scott_workhehe, me too16:30
ronocbut really my job involves developing software that is spec'd by the design team16:30
scott_workfunnily though i keep getting drawn into the dev side of studio than more as a user :(16:30
scott_workit's a personality trait...i like organization and organizing things16:30
scott_workoh, so for example, when Dash or the HUD came about, you (or your team) worked on making it work from a software engineering perspective?16:31
* scott_work is just picking Dash and the HUD because it was the only recent thing he could think of that has been developed16:31
scott_worki'm also asking about this because of a meeting i had with sabdfl that will probably result in similar work16:32
ronocscott_work, yes16:33
ronocscott_work, ted did the hud16:33
ronocscott_work, i did the indicator-sound16:33
ronocand the sound settings changes last cycle16:34
scott_workthat must be rather exciting (if not a little frustrating) stuff to work on16:34
ronocscott_work, this cycle it looks like i'll be something entirely different16:34
ronocwhich ?16:34
ronocthe sound settings ?16:34
ronocit was actually16:34
ronochopefully i'll get it upstream16:34
ronoconce we get an SRU proven16:34
scott_workin general16:35
scott_workno, no...the job itself, working on stuff from the design team16:35
ronocscott_work, it is to be fair, nice bunch of people to work with16:35
ronocand the flexibility to work from home suits me down to a tee16:35
ronoci'll give u-studio a go once i free up a partition on my work machine16:36
ronocsee how it behaves16:36
scott_workronoc: hehe, i don't wish to be misspoken, i meant "a little frustrating" not because of the design team as people, but because they might want something that isn't easy to implement, i would presume it is the nature of the work actually16:36
ronocindeed it is :)16:36
scott_workronoc: captital!  i look forward to any feedback you have :)16:36
scott_workronoc: one of the things that i would like to pursue (which resulted in the meeting with mark) is to simplify our user's experience with the desktop....or rather to *remove* the desktop from their experience16:38
scott_workit is somewhat analogous to juju and charms....16:39
scott_workpeople don't deploy wordpress (as an example)16:39
ronoccool16:39
scott_workthey deploy a web server, database, and wordpress and then create a database and link them all together via juju16:40
ronocso the user can easily swap in and out desktops ?16:40
scott_workthat is a possibility that we have considered ;)16:40
scott_workconsidering audio, our users do something similar....they don't run ardour16:40
scott_workthey deploy jack, ardour, any synths, create files (or use templates to start) and then make connections16:40
scott_worki don't like having to click five buttons and wait minutes to then make connections....can it be automated?16:41
scott_workcan i go to the hud or dash and type 'start recording band' or 'start recording riff' and the result is it will start qjackctl, jackd, ardour, load the right template, and make the right connections16:42
scott_work?16:42
scott_workusing "band" and "riff" would cause different templates and connections to be made16:42
scott_workbut in the short term we are also looking at the possibilities of using scripting, docks, "modes" (or switchable desktops as you said), and something that len is developing16:43
scott_workoops, lunch time, must go!16:43
ronocscott_work, jack-session16:46
ailoscott_work: Check out gladish16:52
ailoIt's sort of a substitute to qjackctl (which also has session support), where you load apps, connect them graphically, and save the whole setup16:54
ronocyup another alternative16:54
* ronoc needs to do some merging16:54
ailoYeah, alternative16:54
ailoscott_work: Anyway, it would make sense to have some default setups for users there. It would be an easy way to showcase applications, and create actual workflows16:55
ailoEven with saved setups, the user might need help understanding what they just loaded, and how to use it though16:56
ailoIt would be great if this session feature could be combined with a workflow toolbar, but someone would have to code it16:57
ailoRight now, I don't think there's any other way of starting apps with gladish, but to use commands16:58
ailoIt would be nicer if you could just start apps from any menu, and use the session software to save a snapshot of whatever jack apps are active and connected17:00
ailoAFAIK no jack session controlling software will save any active applications, if they were not started from the jack session capable application17:02
ailoThat's the only downside for me, I think, with current session soft17:04
scott_workronoc: ailo: i have looked into both of those, however they are both either not as pervasive as i suggested nor as fully implemented as they would need to be18:03
scott_workbut further, i would like to implement such a system beyond just audio18:03
scott_workwhat about film work or graphical or photography or e-books18:03
scott_workailo: from what i have learned, gladish can restart applications and remake connections on saved project, but with only a select subset of the available applications we ship18:04
scott_worke.g. you cannot restart ardour at this point i believe, but you can with qtractor18:05
scott_workbut let's be honest and direct, my framework suggestion, while being highly extensible, would be also require appreciable changes across a vast array of applications, and is certainly not something that will be completed soon (if at all)18:09
scott_workexposing things on dbus could allow this to happen, but it would require buy in from all the developers, which is probably not likely to happen. especially if you read "discussion" between paul davis and nedko, authors of jack-session and ladish repsectively18:10
scott_workso, it might be that a "short term solution", or essentially a "proof of concept" methodology might be required, even if it doesn't use the same methodology or mechanics as _the_ long term solution (whatever it may be)18:11
ailoscott_work: Ardour works fine, as long as you start it with the right command18:52
ailoLike, "ardour2"18:52
ailoOr you mean, not the same things are supported for ardour as for qtractor?18:53
ailoOh, you said restart18:53
scott_workyes, i believe it will start fine but cannot be restarted automatically as qtractor can be18:53
scott_workyes :)18:53
scott_workfor those who are curious, here is a demo video from the ladish website: http://ladish.org/wiki/demovideo18:54
ailoscott_work: It loads, but not the project in use. 18:54
scott_workit shows the restarting everything18:54
ailoFunny Finnish background music18:55
scott_workthe video shows it loading the project, but that may be because hydrogen was set to load the last project by default18:57
ailoscott_work: The only downside with Ardour not auto loading its project is that you need to do that step manually, but all the connections you've made between the apps, including Ardour are reconnected once you've chose the project you are using19:00
ailoI don't know why I'm writing so badly right now..19:01
ailoAnyway, that is how it seems. You load the Ardour project manually, but the connections are persistant between loads19:01
ailoCan't say I'm overly thrilled with the looks and practices of (g)ladish, but there isn't anything better out there for this 19:02
ailoscott_work: I don't think the number of apps are that select, aside from the apps not autoloading their projects19:08
scott_workailo: nedko shows "compliance levels" http://ladish.org/wiki/levels and i thought there was a list on the website that showed current compliance per applications19:10
scott_workbut it appears taht it may be tied to only the version of gladish19:10
ailoscott_work: Ok, so perhaps they haven't implemented project loading yet19:13
ailoI had no idea what the runlevels did tbh until now. I just tried saving GIMP, and that worked fine19:13
ailoThe current version only has runlevels 0 and 1 AFAIK19:14
ailoIt's still quite usable19:14
ailoIt would be possible to make scripts to open apps in order, have them connect in some way, and load projects for showcasing though19:15
ailoBut that would not be for saving sessions, only showing thenm19:16
ailoscott_work: Some apps will load the project by using an argument, which is perfectly possible to do from ladish19:34
ailoscott_work: So, that would work with ardour. 19:35
ailoIn this way, at least showcasing workflows would be perfectly seemless when loading them19:36
ailoscott_work: If you want to implement actual usable workflows in practice for Ubuntu Studio, I just don't see any better way than to use gladish19:37
ailoI don't use it myself, since I don't use more than one application most of the time, so I haven't been much interested in learning about it19:37
ailoAlso, I think many who are used to their methods might overlook the benefits it has19:38
ailoTo start a project with ardour, you just add the filepath to the project as an argument: ardour2 /path/to/my/projectdir19:39
scott_workailo: interesting!  sorry for the delay, been busy at work20:31
ailoscott_work: I was just looking into capturing desktop video to do a similar thing showing how to create the studio, do the connections, and reload it. Since each application may have its own way of loading a project, you need to supply each with their own project argument. It's not optimal, but since connections are persistent, I would say it's fully functional20:33
ailoscott_work: I'll add a howto to the community wiki later, that explains this procedure. 20:35
ailoThat should be a good way to start documenting this possible way to tackle workflows20:35
ailoMight be best to start making video tutorials in general21:07
scott_workailo: what i would like to do during this cycle is to really talk about how to approach work flows and how we can make it easier to use before deciding on a particular methodology21:14
scott_works/use/users21:14
ailoscott_work: There's only two things that can help. 1. Documentation 2. Software Tools21:15
scott_workhehe, but everyone has ideas :)21:16
ailo1. we can do. 2. we either code, or give feedback to coders21:16
ailoIt would seem smartest to help develop those apps that are already there21:16
ailoAlso, what we have is what we have. So, we just need to figure out how to use it21:18
ailoRealistically, to have actual usable workflows for next release (at least for audio), it has to be by using jack session software21:21
ailoI don't know what dbus can do right now, when it comes to universal session management. Perhaps someone is doing some work on such a piece of software right now? It would be handy for non audio workflows21:24
ailoThe best would be to combine it all into something almost invisible, so that you just press "save", and whatever you have up is going to reload next time.21:25
ailoAnd surely it's possible, if you code it21:25
ailoUntil then, I'd go with gladish. And for non-audio workflows, I'd just use documentation (videos would be handy)21:26
ailoI could do some examples for audio, using gladish, and documenting both with video and howtos21:27
ailoThose could serve as examples possible implementation21:28
ailoI'll want to finish the web site first - the feature tour will take a bit of time21:28
len-dtailo, Is there any reason ladish _can't_ do things other audio? At least starting up a group of tools...21:35
ailolen-dt: I guess not21:35
ailoIt's just that it's also used to start/stop jack, which is not called for when doing strictly non-audio workl21:36
len-dtI have the gui part of a runlevel switcher just about working. It shows up as an item in the systray the idea being that the icon in the systray changes depending on what mode/runlevel  the user is in.21:37
len-dtailo, Ya, starting jack all the time is not optimal... it could be a pain if the workflow (or background music) was using pulse....21:38
scott_workailo: i'm not sure that jack-session is the right application to use for automation, ladish provides functionality that jack-session doesn't21:58
scott_workailo: i'm not sure what jack-session provides that patchbay doesn't actually, functionality wise that is21:58
scott_worki hope to test some of these in the coming weeks and draw a sharp contrast between them21:59
scott_workfurthermore, i think the ultimate goals of ladish far exceeds the goals of jack-session21:59
scott_worklen-dt: i'm not sure run levels and modes are the answer, i'm not sure they are not the answer either, but i would really like to run through the strengths and weaknesses of all the various ways we can improve work flows and user experience22:00
scott_worklen-dt: ailo :  i had also though about a "work flow" app where you would select the work flow (perhaps from a pull down list) and then it shows you each a box for each step of the documented process22:01
scott_worknot that each step will be used each time, so you don't have to select a particular application for that step, but there will be choices for the steps you do want to perform (i.e. qtractor or ardour for a DAW)22:02
scott_workhit the next button and maybe it could allow you to make connection or load a patchbay or template file22:02
scott_workit's just an idea, but it would tedious to create all the data files for that for the standard work flows and possible applications22:03
scott_workbut again, if we started with audio it might be easier to step through it22:03
scott_workbut it's not THE answer, just a possible answer22:03
len-dtscott_work, runlevels are designed to allow different machine configurations. With run levels and upstart/init almost all system side resources can be delt with in one place with one command.22:09
scott_worki was given an idea to look into QML and profiles from a guy at UDS22:09
len-dtIt used to be very common to have runlevel 2 be a text/terminal mode and RL 3 ran X22:10
scott_worki haven't a clue what QML and profiles are, but he seemed to think i should know about them22:10
scott_workah, len-dt i am starting to understand that more22:10
len-dtTo be honest What would be nice would be something to do the same in userland22:10
scott_workindeed, it would be possible, but very laborious, to effect a similar thing adjusting menus, desktops, etc22:14
len-dtscott_work, there are not that many things to do in userland really, The big thing for tweaking is unbridging PA/jack22:15
scott_worki think we should include ardour template for a limited scope of uses as a "hidden" feature22:15
scott_worklen-dt: you're thinking only of audio, aren't you?22:15
scott_works/template/templates22:15
len-dtI am thinking of modes as separate from workflows just now. I would think the templates are a workflow thing.22:16
len-dtFor video/graphics workflows, a gui that allows a startup button/selection that starts all the apps in a workflow in the right position and right workspace and right screen (if there are more than one) might be a start for this cycle scott_work 22:19
scott_worklen-dt: please keep in mind we need to be careful about our expectations regarding new applications against a particular cycle22:20
scott_worklen-dt: even if we had a new application completed right now, there is no guarantee that it would be accepted into the repository in time to ship for this cycle22:20
scott_workunless you "hide the weinee" by including new functionality into an existing package,  the application needs to undergo a review, include security i believe22:21
len-dtscott_work, Ok, most of this can be done with script though. Using apps that are already in the repo.22:22
ailoscott_work: When I was referring to jack session, I meant ladish22:22
len-dtailo, I am somewhat confused about the difference :-/  This is because I haven't got that far to actually use either.22:24
ailoI haven't much investigated this either22:24
scott_workailo: ah!22:25
scott_worklen-dt: ailo: yes! it is confusing. i had a "discussion" (edged towards argument before i cried off) about the two where we each held contradictory ideas about them both22:26
scott_workand unfortunately, documentation seems to be horribly scarce regarding jack-session22:26
ailoHow does it work, when you set the desktop to load the last saved session? Isn't that one way to save workflows? 22:27
len-dtscott_work, I had the saem thing with ulatencyd, I commented that I thought the documentation was poor, and got the response back that it seemed like lots. But I guess one has to understand much more kernel stuff than I do.22:28
ailoI guess there's one thing that you might not want - having all applications be saved for a session (you might not want to save chat soft, web browser, etc22:29
len-dtailo, yes, but if you have a two part process, tracking and mixdown for example and want to switch between the two it isn't saved22:29
ailolen-dt: I meant for non audio software22:29
scott_workailo: interesting, i hadn't thought about that...xubuntu was doing that for me which was kinda frustrating but i never thought about applying to what we are doing22:29
scott_work^ desktop restoring session22:30
len-dtIf we could "save" more than one setup it would be good.22:30
scott_workokay, i gots to go pick up kids and go home22:30
len-dtbye.22:31
scott_worki'm close to having a computer setup at home that i'll be leaving on all the time with irc on it too22:31
len-dtYea!22:31
scott_worki'm toying with using screen and irssi so i can ssh to it from where22:31
ailoscott_work: That's what I use22:31
scott_workoh...22:31
ailoTook a couple of days to get used to22:31
scott_workokay, so i need to make sure i have my router forwarding a particular port then22:32
scott_workthen set up sshd to listen to that port22:32
ailoport 22 is default for ssh22:32
scott_workset up and understand how to use screen :P22:32
scott_workset up and learn how to use irssi :P22:32
scott_workthen profit!22:32
scott_workoh, i mean use it22:32
scott_worki think i'm going to start blogging more also :)22:32
ailoLearning irssi might take a while, but I could help you with some configs22:33
ailoJust to get you started22:33
ailoholstein aught to be a wizard at that though22:35
scott_workokay, i'm going for reals now  :)22:37
ailoI got this done today. https://staging.ubuntustudio.org/tour/audio/23:32
ailoJust need to do the same for video and graphics23:32

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