/srv/irclogs.ubuntu.com/2014/05/10/#ubuntustudio-devel.txt

OvenWerk1aleb: Sorry we kind of left you hanging.13:13
OvenWerk1We do not have a nice list of things we people to work on... not that organized13:14
OvenWerk1aleb: For the most part we have been each looking for things that bug us and fixing/improving them.13:15
OvenWerk1aleb: zequence is starting to make things more organized and formal so our focus is more aligned.13:17
OvenWerk1aleb: in general Studio is "workflow oriented". This has two main implications:13:18
OvenWerk1first, we select applications so they fit into a defined workflow. So we try to have all the apps needed to do that workflow without flooding our menu with duplicate apps.13:19
OvenWerk1second, we are looking at setting our menu(s) up so that these applications are easy to find in these workflows. We are also looking at utilities to make system setup for a workflow a "one click" operation.13:21
OvenWerk1aleb: if you have been on the mailing list for a while, you will have seen some posts about the "blueprints" being changed. They are still being set up 14.10, but that would be the place to look for things we have already identified as things we wish to try and do.13:23
OvenWerk1aleb: A few extra things: none of us are paid employees, so this is a hobby for any one of us... if we seem slow to answer it is just because we are busy with life (real job, family, etc.) or that the computer is just not our passion right now.13:28
OvenWerk1aleb: so while there are "dead lines" for getting something done for a release... there is not really a dead line for getting something finished. Other life may come first.13:29
zequencealeb: Yeah, sorry for not answering you before. This next cycle will be a lot more organized than previous ones I've been involved in, I could better answer your question in a few days time13:31
zequenceOvenWerk1: I just found something that makes categorization of packages a lot simpler13:32
OvenWerk1ok13:32
zequenceOvenWerk1: Have you heard of debtags? Not sure exactly how that works, yet, but Debian has done a lot of work on finetuning categorization713:32
zequenceOvenWerk1: There are made up of debtags http://blends.debian.org/multimedia/tasks/13:33
zequenceTo see a debtag, install debtags, then on any installed package, do: debtags show <package>13:33
zequenceFor amb-plugins, it is a line like this: Tag: implemented-in::c++, role::plugin, works-with::audio13:33
zequenceOvenWerk1: btw, that link is for finding packages belonging to the pure blend of Debian multimedia. It's sort of like Ubuntu Studio, but without their own install image13:34
OvenWerk1I kind of figgured.13:35
OvenWerk1I would guess that those tags depend a lot on the developer?13:36
zequenceThey are done in Debian, so I would think not so much actually13:36
OvenWerk1Or are the debian packagers adding too?13:36
zequenceYes13:36
zequenceNot sure how it works yet. Just started reading about it here https://wiki.debian.org/Debtags13:37
OvenWerk1One of the problems we have seen in the desktop catgories is each developer does things differently.13:37
zequenceI remembered talking to this guy who was working on defining blends last debconf, and he showed this stuff about Debian multimedia. I had just not realized the core components of it all13:37
OvenWerk1One of the other problems is that different tagging systems are appropriate for different workflows.13:38
OvenWerk1but a rich set of tags could make that easier to deal with.13:39
zequenceExactly. debtags seems pretty well figured out, if you ask me13:39
zequencebut.. the debtags when I look at them now don't always make sense13:42
zequenceThey would need to be worked at - something we could assist in13:42
zequenceAnd I realize the debian multimedia-* packages aren't based on those after all13:43
OvenWerk1With all the convergence in UI going on, I am seeing a few directions showing up. There is the desktop use for home/buisness use where the number of apps is reall quite small. The developer setup with many more apps, but well known so search based menuing works well. However there is a third group of people who want to do something, but who don't really know what it is or what the tools that might do that are, these people work best with the old 13:48
OvenWerk1Tags seem to be designed with "what to install" in mind. though there may be other uses.13:49
zequenceI don't think the job of the menu is to showcase applications. 13:49
OvenWerk1That may be true... so maybe we need some thing else that does.13:50
zequencedebtags can be used to create application lists, into a database, and use that database for all sorts of things13:50
zequencethe installer could make use of them13:50
OvenWerk1Yes13:50
zequenceor even ubuntu-software-center (which maybe it already does)13:50
OvenWerk1I had thought of that13:50
zequenceThe problem I guess is how to make it easy for people to browse for applications13:51
zequenceInstalled, or not13:51
OvenWerk1The problem with doing things that way is that the tags are set up from a world wide POV. (world wide meaning all SW)13:52
zequenceIf an application finder of any kind can use those tags, searching will become easy, as long as the tags are intelligently made13:52
zequenceI think it's up to us to define what the tags should be - us, and debian-multimedia13:52
zequenceDon't think they have put a lot of work into that13:52
OvenWerk1Being able to refine a search can be hard for some people to do.13:52
zequenceI don't agree. There aren't that plenty of keywords that come to mind13:53
zequenceThings like recording, mixing, plugins, midi, etc13:53
OvenWerk1plugins for example will yield a large group of sw, much of it not useful.13:54
zequenceAnd then, combining them13:54
zequenceplugin + eq, for instance13:54
zequenceI think these debtags are the best tool for this type of categorization so far. And, best of all, it's upstream13:55
zequenceFor us, anyway13:55
OvenWerk1Yes, I agree it has the right setup.13:55
OvenWerk1The tags are populated on a volunteer basis?13:57
zequenceSeems like it, yes13:57
OvenWerk1What state are they in right now?13:57
zequenceI already began work on categorizing applications, for Ubuntu Studio. I think it would take a bit of work, but we could go through with that, and then update the debtags in Debian.13:57
zequence..with the categories that we define (as closely in line with upstream as possible, only adding when needed)13:58
OvenWerk1Ya, I would like to use upstream tags.13:58
OvenWerk1I am not so worried about apps we ship so much as apps our users may wish to add.13:59
OvenWerk1I see Studio as a working starting point that can do the workflows we set up, but realize that most users will need/want extra tools that I would like them to be able to find easily. (this is what the extra installer is for)14:00
OvenWerk1So the head end of our installer is what needs the most work. The displaying and actuall installing is fine and can be changed or whatever.14:02
zequenceYes, I was considering creating ubuntustudio-<workflow>-all metas, but don't think that's the way to go. Searching and finding apps easily is what is needed. 14:02
OvenWerk1but the choosing of what to show the user is the big thing14:02
OvenWerk1So far, I have just been making a list by hand.14:03
zequenceYeah, that won't work in the long run. We need to work against standard systems - otherwise we either get a maintenance problem, or scewed categorization since too few heads were involved14:04
OvenWerk1But for future we would want to make the search terms by hand and let the app find the apps to display14:04
OvenWerk1It may also make sense to display the search terms on the top in a tree or hierarchiac manner and let the user add to or modify it.14:05
OvenWerk1While all of the sw installers have a method of searching... I have found them all to be obscure... unless you are used to CLI ways of doing things and knew regx well14:07
OvenWerk1The word frustrating comes to mind.14:08
OvenWerk1(google isn't any better by the way)14:10
OvenWerk1zequence: So I guess what I am talking about is a search interface.14:11
zequenceTree view makes sense to me, with pre-defined categories. When searching for a keyword, if it is found in packages in many sub-categories they still get separated14:11
zequenceRosco2: Hi Ross. I saw your email. Haven't got to answering those yet14:12
zequenceRosco2: Just preparing a mail about what we have so far, and start discussions about what to do coming cycle14:13
zequenceRosco2: But, one thing that does come to mind is the debug build problem that falktx has talked about sometimes. 14:14
zequenceRosco2: That would be a job for debian-multimedia though, which is where we should do most of our packaging work anyway14:14
zequenceOvenWerk1: packages often belong to more than one category though, so it should show up in all it belongs to. A tree view could still work.14:18
zequenceOvenWerk1: One thing that would be absolutely great to have is having the link to the homepage of each application. It's found in control files for packages usually, so not difficult to add.14:19
zequenceDefinitely the best source of information for an application IMO14:19
OvenWerk1zequence: I would also like some kind of relevance feature... like when was the last time this package was updated? though cp probably hasn't changed much...14:20
OvenWerk1Ya, USC has the homepage.14:20
OvenWerk1In our case, we are just showing the first line of the description. perhaps hovering over description could show the whole description too.14:23
zequenceThere could be a side view with the full description14:24
elfygood afternoon 14:24
OvenWerk1good morning14:24
zequenceBut, it's also possible we could just help improve ubuntu-software-center instead, or another installer14:25
zequenceHi elfy 14:25
OvenWerk1A number of people remove USC as a first task after install.14:27
zequenceThat is really up to them14:31
zequenceBut, they probably get by fine with a terminal14:31
OvenWerk1Yes, I am just saying building on top of USC may not be the best place.14:31
elfyothers probably do what I do - leave USC installed, lose it from menu and install synaptic 14:32
OvenWerk1I do that.14:32
OvenWerk1We have synaptic on the ISO though14:33
elfy'we' don't - I'm just in here as an interested party :)14:33
OvenWerk1I know :)14:34
elfyjust making sure :p14:34
OvenWerk1I follow the xubuntu dev on irc a bit.14:34
elfyI just saw you in there - I'm not very observant :)14:35
OvenWerk1We base Studio on the xubuntu desktop roughly, so it is good to watch where it is going14:36
elfyyep - I'm kind of floating about with the aim of helping with QA for studio where I can14:37
OvenWerk1debtags is not installed by default zequence 14:49
zequenceOvenWerk1: I'm aware. And, as I said before, I don't know yet how it all works14:50
zequenceJust that we should make use of them14:50
OvenWerk1Downloading a browser to look.14:51
OvenWerk1searching for Audio LV2 plugin reverb gives only one package :P (mda-lv2)14:55
OvenWerk1removing the search term "plugin" adds invada-studio-plugins-lv2.14:57
Rosco2zequence: Happy to help with build problems, have made a note of falktx14:57
OvenWerk1removing the search term "audio" adds ir.lv214:58
Rosco2zequence, I got as far as listing all the packages with "debug" on. Only chased through 3 or 4.14:59
zequenceRosco2: If you like, you can ask falktx in #kxstudio, who probably has a good idea which packages are affected - and at the same time, you could ask him about any other problems that Debian packages may have (in his opinion)15:01
zequenceHe does his custom builds of many of the packages in his PPAs15:01
OvenWerk1zequence: it seems to me that while we do ship ir, we do not ship any impulse files to go with it. Is there usch a package?15:02
zequenceOvenWerk1: No idea15:02
zequenceAren't those created manually?15:03
zequenceI haven't got around to explore IR yet15:03
OvenWerk1There are sites that have files that work wih it.15:03
Rosco2Being new - Easy way to find packages we care about?15:03
OvenWerk1I don't know what the legal aspects would be to packaging these files.15:04
zequenceRosco2: We were just discussing categorization. You have the sections sound, video and graphics. I guess sound is the most interesting right now15:04
zequenceRosco2: There are debtags too, which I've found to be a great tool, but packages don't seem to have correct tags, and I don't yet know how to use them for efficient searching15:05
zequenceRosco2: Debian Multimedia Blend has these tasks http://blends.debian.org/multimedia/tasks/index15:06
zequenceRosco2: Then, of course, you have ubuntustudio-audio, ubuntustudio-audio-plugins, etc15:06
zequenceRosco2: The sound section in utopic http://packages.ubuntu.com/utopic/sound/15:07
OvenWerk1zequence: searching for the search term "reverb" in a package menager turns up more packages than searching with debtags. Tap-plugins is missing from debtags.15:13
OvenWerk1So debtags plus may be the way to go. Work on getting debtags to "catch up" at the same time.15:14
zequenceOvenWerk1: the package manager will search also in the description, but that is not always what you want though15:23
zequenceI guess for searching it is fine, but not for browsing15:23
zequenceIn the case of reverb, that word will probably come up only when a reverb is involved. 15:24
Rosco2Yes talk of debtags got me searching through my email archives. There was a call for people to help with tagging. Just reread the wiki.15:24
OvenWerk1I am thinking debian linian needs to check to at least see the package is listed in the debtags BD and sugest the dev/packager add it.15:26
Rosco2Trouble is debtags are not in Debian Policy, so not checked by Lintian?15:33
OvenWerk1Thats what I mean.15:36
OvenWerk1Rosco2: right now we have an installer utility for SW that many people might use but we don't want to ship by default.15:37
OvenWerk1We spec what sw it shows by hand on the CL.15:37
OvenWerk1we would like to change that by using a search based term(s) instead15:37
OvenWerk1However we would like to maintain the close relevance we have now.15:38
Rosco2OvenWerk1, Thanks - just looked at ubuntustudio-installer & the meta packages zequence mentioned16:19
Rosco2Now I am a little more clued up!16:20
OvenWerk1Rosco2: One other thing to mention, is that this installer is also used for those who have some other Ubuntu flavour besides ubuntustudio (lubuntu, kubuntu or vanilla ubuntu) and wish to install the Studio apps in that. This is why I have trid to use a simple UI that should be in all packages or is at least small to add. Probably in the future that might be qt. tk is supposed to be the default ui for python, but some falvours don't ship it to kee16:32
OvenWerk1In the end, a person that installs very many studio apps ends up with GTK, tk, qt and maybe the kde libs too.16:34
Rosco2I made that mistake in my early days with one package :-)16:39
Rosco2Thought I would submit bug to Debian PTS to ask that missing debtags are highlighted.16:51
Rosco2But it has already been looked at: https://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=70877216:52
ubottuDebian bug 708772 in qa.debian.org "improve the integration between debtags and the PTS" [Wishlist,Open]16:52
zequenceI'm gonna try get people to help out with tagging multimedia applications this cycle. Need to find out more about how it works though16:53
Rosco2https://wiki.debian.org/Debtags16:54
zequenceYep, haven't had the chance to read through it yet16:54
zequencedoing kernel maintenance currently16:54
Rosco2I haven't tried, but wiki says anyone can do it16:55
zequenceYes, it even seems one can do it directly using a web interface16:55
zequenceBut, not sure where tags are defined. And who holds the keys16:56
zequenceAnyways, I'll be looking into that later16:56
zequenceOvenWerk1: Just realized that installing extra packages from the menu only shows packages aside from those in our metas, be they installed or not17:18
zequenceIf only installing the menu, or as now with trusty, ubuntu studio without any of the recommends to the metas, the extra install option becomes a little peculiar, like it was missing most of the goods. Using the meta installer would of course fix that, but it would be better if the installer always compared to installed packages, or like synaptic, just showed installed packages as checked (and unchecking would uninstall)17:20
zequenceIn this case, it would also make sense to use tags or categories to populate installable applications, instead of adding them one by one17:23
OvenWerk1zequence: Yup, that is true. It was designed when there was no choice but to install the whole meta or not.17:25
OvenWerk1The whole selection process now needs to be redesigned17:26
OvenWerk1Using the CL to list apps or even search may no longer work. I will have to think about it. I had wanted the app to be generic, but it seems that will not be possible. I think we will end up with a commandline config file That holds what each instance should show. It should be able to handle a mix of package names and search criteria.17:30
OvenWerk1It probably needs a way to understand when a package is a meta or not.17:31
OvenWerk1This will also keep the desktop file from getting messy17:31
OvenWerk1It could still be generic using switches. -m meta package -c configfile etc. Packages could still be just listed as is so long as they are first.17:56
OvenWerk1So a command line might be:17:57
OvenWerk1installer package1 package2 -m metapackage1 metapackage2 -c configfile -s search terms17:58
zequenceYou don't think that makes it overly complicated, and still too custom for the exact situation you are designing it for?18:00
zequenceOne way to go would be to use a db, sort of like the debian package cache, but with categorization that we have determined, with the help of sections (such as sound, graphics, video), and debtags?18:01
zequenceThen, let the installer show all packages, but with the ability to browser. 18:03
zequenceIt's called ubuntustudio-installer, so it doesn't need to be more generic than that18:03
zequencebrowse*18:03
OvenWerk1Parsing CL is not that hard as there are tools just for that. So building that in is not hard. Keeping a local DB sounds like it would require mainaining.18:03
zequenceThat is the work we need to do anyway, with debian tags18:04
zequenceUntil the tags are worked out upstream, one could use a static file. Also, one needs to work out how to use the tags with the installer, if wanting to build a cache from just the debian package db18:04
OvenWerk1There are some kinds of packages we would never show like lib* or *-dev18:05
zequencetags take care of that too18:05
zequenceOne can use tags to both whitelist, and blacklist18:05
OvenWerk1I think we need an app spec.18:08
OvenWerk1I think we should break it up into features to work on first and then second.18:08
OvenWerk1So we can start with enough features to use now and then add more as we go.18:09
OvenWerk1So if we start where we are with an app list, the next thing is to list both installed and not with the installed marked.18:10
OvenWerk1the next thing is to add meta expansion.18:10
zequenceI'm working on how to discuss feature specs for this cycle. I think I will start one email subject for each project blueprint that seems relevant, trying to address the most important stuff18:11
OvenWerk1Ok18:12
zequenceThis is what I've written down so far https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UbuntuStudio/UtopicUnicorn/WhiteBoardSpecs18:12
zequenceGoing to split that up into several emails18:12
OvenWerk1My thought with the installer is to always have a working app and have steps in managable sizes so whoever is working on it keeos from giving up.18:13
OvenWerk1I am trying to think longer term in other words because I know I sometimes take some time away.18:14
OvenWerk1It would be nice if we could build directly on someone elses flavour.18:15
OvenWerk1Like take xubuntu's seed set and just overlay our own.18:16
OvenWerk1+1 for ubuntustudio-audio-minimal18:17
OvenWerk1It should set up jack and the user for RT work auto matically.18:18
OvenWerk1zequence: ^^18:18
zequenceOvenWerk1: I will try to address that in other ways. Either making rt-kit working with jack, or creating a new default group18:19
zequenceFor trusty, I still need to make ubuntustudio-controls administer realtime18:20
zequencePossibly, it will need to do that for utopic as well, if nothing else was done18:20
OvenWerk1zequence: how it is done, I don't care, but it should just work without having the user do something.18:21
zequenceYes, agreed18:21
zequenceOvenWerk1: Seems Xubuntu has a new project lead: ochosi18:25
OvenWerk1zequence: Re: linux-rt part of this will be our grub setup. Our controls app should be able to set which kernel is default.18:26
OvenWerk1I had heard they were changing. He should do well.18:26
zequenceOvenWerk1: Added it to blueprints whiteboard, so I don't forget18:31
OvenWerk1zequence: (from reading the BP on controls) using ms is fine, but internal audio like HDA needs 3 periods for lowest latency. Might be an idea to go in steps of frames and periods. 256/2-10.7ms 128/3-8ms 128/2-5.33ms 64/3-4ms (HDA lowest) 64/2-2.67ms (My HDA will not let jack start at 64/2)18:47
zequenceOvenWerk1: Yes, I18:49
zequence've considered that18:49
zequenceNot sure how to do that in the best way18:50
OvenWerk1zequence: so long as it is in spec the details can come later.18:56
OvenWerk1It may be enough to set the user at 2periods or 3 and just change the frames.18:56
zequenceOvenWerk1: I'm considering moving detailed specs into wiki pages from now on, and make workitems more hands on, and related to bugs18:57
OvenWerk1That would be fine.18:57
OvenWerk1Each project could have one feature request bug added as the work progresses if that helped.18:58
zequenceMight be enough we just make a list of features on a wiki page we want to have, then implement them as best as we can18:59
OvenWerk1That is where we should start certainly. change things if it looks like it would help.19:00
zequenceOvenWerk1: Also, I'm going to make a point of making specs as clear as possible before week 9 or so, of this cycle, and then I will look through each one and approve them, before they are good to go19:01
zequenceAfter that, we do as little specs as possible. Just work on what we have agreed on19:01
zequenceOr fix new bugs that come along19:01
OvenWerk1ok.19:01
alebI subscribed to https://blueprints.launchpad.net/ubuntustudio-meta/+spec/ubuntustudio-video-u, this is what I'm interested in. Curious to see what the workflows will be. :)20:20
OvenWerk1Ahh, aleb perhaps you can guide us in that.20:21
zequencealeb: You do any video production?20:21
alebI'm only an amateur20:22
zequenceI'd say all of us are, in the video area20:23
OvenWerk1aleb: the workflow might be: import video -> reformate for editting -> edit video -> add sound -> render to final format -> add menuing for DVD -> print to DVD20:34
OvenWerk1But I susspect it may be a lot more rigorous than that.20:35
OvenWerk1We have no SW for story boarding for example. There are a number of administrative things that would normally happen before shooting any video.20:36
OvenWerk1As an amateur, most of us would do these things in our head20:37
OvenWerk1But writing them down first is better. Having a clear idea of what shots are needed can save a lot of time.20:38
OvenWerk1Once the shooting is done, however, the video needs to be converted into a format that works well with whatever video editor is chosen. Some editors are very good at doing this internally. Some are not. Some offer the ability to have a script set to do this too.20:40
OvenWerk1most of the editing will be done in one program. Effects will be added here too. On a simple project audio may be done within as well.20:42
OvenWerk1on a more complex project the whole audio workflow for audio recordng may apply as well.20:42
OvenWerk1The editor will normally render it to whatever video format(s) needed and so the video ends up as a file(s).20:44
OvenWerk1then it has to be packaged. (printed to DVD or uploaded or whatever) For a DVD menus ned to be added with whatever art work. There may be art worl for the front of the DVD and case as well.20:45
OvenWerk1aleb: probably the two most used workflows for video might be some one who videos events such as weddings and prints them to DVDs and someone who makes videos to upload to youtube... like instructionals.20:47
OvenWerk1VJing might be another, but that would tend to be a one app workflow and depend on that app more than anything.20:48
OvenWerk1Note: I have left a lot out. While I have worked Broadcast at one time (early 80s), TV and video making are not the same thing.... and I did everything with tape.20:50
alebAre people still using DVDs? :)21:05
OvenWerk1:) someone who is videoing a wedding will be printing DVDs21:06
alebI imagine the list of needed shots could very well be written / sketched on paper. I wonder what pro software can be used for this.21:06
OvenWerk1I don't know. I wish I could see a complete list of how someone like the "tube" project did things (Blender.org)21:07
OvenWerk1http://urchn.org/21:08
OvenWerk1One thing they and some audio people use is git. It may be that we should be shipping that.21:09
OvenWerk1One of the DAWs actually uses it for saves.21:10
OvenWerk1http://urchn.org/post/managing-animation-pipelines has a long list of sw used in production. This is an animated film so there are some tools a recorded video production might not use.21:13
OvenWerk1aleb: ^^^21:13

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