Linux, as a whole is rising in popularity. More and more users are switching to this OS. As a developer, you may not have any bad feelings toward Linux users. You may even have a passing interest in the OS yourself. However, you've heard so many negative things about developing for Linux, and you don't want to muddy-up your business and take on any risk from involving yourself with an OS whose "users are only wanting software for free" or "are not willing to pay for software".
I would like to dispel some of the myths about Linux users, as well as the OS itself. In the next few paragraphs, I will explain to you the reality of Linux, as well as the reality of the music production Linux-using audience as it currently exists here at KVRAudio.
It would not be an exaggeration to state that Linux fans are a passionate group. There are threads linking back years here at KVRAudio that displays that passion. The number of users that are using Linux has been growing yearly, and there are now many musicians that are using Linux as our main platform of choice. These individuals are not Richard Stallman-esque neck beards who demand everything be free and open source code, these are "MUSICIANS" first, who also happen to have a fondness for Linux. You will find that those developers who have produced products that we Linux users want and need, have had plenty of paying customers, who also happen to use Linux.
There are now multiple Linux-native DAWs available, multiple Linux-native plugins available, as well as multiple Linux-native effects--not only open source or freeware, but also commercially. Some of the best, and most successful developers in the business are now developing for Linux. Linux as an OS is only going to continue to improve. It will only continue to attract more users. It is getting easier and easier, and supports more and more, better and better.
As far as being a valid system for proper DAW work, Linux has seen an age of enlightenment compared to the dark ages of just five years ago. Technologies and developments such as the following have become realities in this short time: real-time low latency audio capability mainlined into the kernel, a completely new and comprehensive audio server (Pipewire), LV2, CLAP and VST3 plugin support, vastly improved Windows compatibility layer support (WINE), and special bridging software (yabridge) that allows Windows plugins to load and run in a Linux native DAW as if they were native Linux plugins. These technologies have vastly simplified and improved the capability of Linux to work as a valid music production system as good as Windows, MacOS, or anything else.
So, as a developer, you may be wondering what you could do to be involved in Linux with no risk, and very little added time. This is what I am proposing--become "Linux Friendly". That's it. Nothing more. I'm not suggesting you start changing your frameworks and libraries to support Linux (although I would love it if you did!). The Linux compatibility layer, WINE already supports to a very large extent, much of the available Windows plugins. Many Linux users already know to a large extent what Windows plugins currently work on Linux, and how well they work. Be willing to work with these users.
If users contact you and let you know that your plugins are working well with WINE, note it on your site so that Linux users can consider your product. Find out what was needed to get your plugin working in WINE, what steps were used/required. Provide a limited or demo version of your plugin that Linux users can install into WINE and test to confirm things work before purchasing. Remind customers that purchases are final. You don't have to support it--you can simply say that "your plugin has been known to work in WINE, and these are the reported steps to get it working, but test to be sure, because all sales are final." Be willing to test your plugins yourselves with WINE--you might find easy fixes that don't affect Windows and MacOS users, but allow the plugin to work properly in WINE. Be Linux Friendly. There can be very little risk with being Linux friendly, if you are only willing. Please consider it.![:)]( "Smile")
I would like to dispel some of the myths about Linux users, as well as the OS itself. In the next few paragraphs, I will explain to you the reality of Linux, as well as the reality of the music production Linux-using audience as it currently exists here at KVRAudio.
It would not be an exaggeration to state that Linux fans are a passionate group. There are threads linking back years here at KVRAudio that displays that passion. The number of users that are using Linux has been growing yearly, and there are now many musicians that are using Linux as our main platform of choice. These individuals are not Richard Stallman-esque neck beards who demand everything be free and open source code, these are "MUSICIANS" first, who also happen to have a fondness for Linux. You will find that those developers who have produced products that we Linux users want and need, have had plenty of paying customers, who also happen to use Linux.
There are now multiple Linux-native DAWs available, multiple Linux-native plugins available, as well as multiple Linux-native effects--not only open source or freeware, but also commercially. Some of the best, and most successful developers in the business are now developing for Linux. Linux as an OS is only going to continue to improve. It will only continue to attract more users. It is getting easier and easier, and supports more and more, better and better.
As far as being a valid system for proper DAW work, Linux has seen an age of enlightenment compared to the dark ages of just five years ago. Technologies and developments such as the following have become realities in this short time: real-time low latency audio capability mainlined into the kernel, a completely new and comprehensive audio server (Pipewire), LV2, CLAP and VST3 plugin support, vastly improved Windows compatibility layer support (WINE), and special bridging software (yabridge) that allows Windows plugins to load and run in a Linux native DAW as if they were native Linux plugins. These technologies have vastly simplified and improved the capability of Linux to work as a valid music production system as good as Windows, MacOS, or anything else.
So, as a developer, you may be wondering what you could do to be involved in Linux with no risk, and very little added time. This is what I am proposing--become "Linux Friendly". That's it. Nothing more. I'm not suggesting you start changing your frameworks and libraries to support Linux (although I would love it if you did!). The Linux compatibility layer, WINE already supports to a very large extent, much of the available Windows plugins. Many Linux users already know to a large extent what Windows plugins currently work on Linux, and how well they work. Be willing to work with these users.
If users contact you and let you know that your plugins are working well with WINE, note it on your site so that Linux users can consider your product. Find out what was needed to get your plugin working in WINE, what steps were used/required. Provide a limited or demo version of your plugin that Linux users can install into WINE and test to confirm things work before purchasing. Remind customers that purchases are final. You don't have to support it--you can simply say that "your plugin has been known to work in WINE, and these are the reported steps to get it working, but test to be sure, because all sales are final." Be willing to test your plugins yourselves with WINE--you might find easy fixes that don't affect Windows and MacOS users, but allow the plugin to work properly in WINE. Be Linux Friendly. There can be very little risk with being Linux friendly, if you are only willing. Please consider it.
Statistics: Posted by audiojunkie — Thu Oct 03, 2024 10:05 pm — Replies 0 — Views 23