[Audacity-devel] Re: Library churn and API Calvinball

[Lynn A. <l_d...@ad...>]

> On Apr 27, 2006, at 8:48 AM, Rowland wrote:
>> I know I'll probably start a flame war on this, but this is a sore  spot 
>> with me and I just have to open my big mouth.

<alert comment="Windows developer who is not the brightest bulb in the box 
... Linux and Mac illiterate ... member of the AAA Audacity Alumni 
Association">

I would advocate that the next major point release of Audacity drop 
wxWidgets and use either Dot-Net, native Win32 api, or MFC 4.2.

My impression is that the next generation Apples will use an Intel chip.  I 
suppose it will be another generation before an Apple will be able to 
natively run the Win32 api or MFC or Dot-Net?
A prediction:
Steven J. is going to get tired of computers draining net income from iPod 
sales. He has been thru at least one Board of Directors mutiny before.

Will portability matter for Audacity 2.0?

I didn't realize wxWidgets involved GTK, so that shows my complete 
ignorance.
(IMHO, I detest wxWidgets, but "A Poor Craftsman Blames His Tools.")

Another prediction:
Sometime in the not too distant future, Dominic may be one of the few people 
still willing to put up with the horrific complexity of Audacity .... and 
that on his day off from his new job. Dominic will soon experience the joy 
of having a paying job that is more interesting and challenging than his 
"hobby programming" on Audacity. And then perhaps adios? Hasta manana.

Another prediction:
The "mean time before failure" for newbies to throw up their hands and give 
up trying to get up to speed with Audacity will continue to shrink and 
eventually approach zero.

Some asides for those who haven't used Windows much since Win3.11 or  Win9x.
* The battle for the desktop has been over since the DotCom bust. Look at 
RedHat's long term stock chart. Windows is "out in front ... and pulling 
away" (on the desktop).

* Very few people have made any money betting against Bill Gates.

* It is getting harder and harder to even give away non-Windows desktop 
software. "Civilians" are getting less and less interested in freeware ... 
who needs the risk of malware? (not that Audacity is malware, but civilians 
don't know that)

* I write this as a developer with a crushed os/2 career still relatively 
fresh in my mind, so please don't consider me a Redmond toady.

BTW: congratulations of Audacity receiving kudos from one on the mainstream 
p.c. rags (pc world? pc magazine?). Obviously, Audacity is doing a lot of 
things right. And pretty much discredits my POV. <g>

</alert>