[MPlayer-dev-eng] [patch] prefer ALSA over OSS

[Adrian Bunk]

On Wed, May 02, 2007 at 11:17:24PM -0400, Compn wrote:
> On Wed, 02 May 2007 22:52:21 -0400, Rich Felker scribed:
> 
> >Not deluded at all. I don't expect them to magically ditch ALSA crap
> >tomorrow, but I do know that preservation of features slated for
> >removal is contingent on software using those features and a vocal
> >community to stand behind them. The OSS API, being _THE_ portable
> 
> you guys should take this fight to the lkml.
> 
> :)

I doubt this would make sense:

It's unlikely that anyone is able to achieve anything regarding the 
Linux kernel with fighting for OSS today.

There are right times for achieving something, and sometimes the right 
times are in the past.

The Linux kernel contains a standard sound system maintained by the 
people who developed it. That's ALSA.

It was merged with the intention of replacing OSS in the Linux kernel 
five years ago.

At that time the OSS code shipped with the kernel was no longer that 
much maintained, and non-GPLed code is not an option for being shipped 
with the kernel.

I don't know what would have happened in this case, but this would have 
been the right time for OSS<->ALSA discussions if a maintained OSS would 
have been available at this time.

Even if 4Front Technologies would suddenly decide to make their code 
available under the GPL it would be too late - had they done it five 
years ago, or if anyone else would have been an active maintainer for 
the in-kernel OSS speaking loudly for OSS at that time, it could be that 
ALSA would have never entered the kernel.

At the right time, the ALSA people were the ones who had code to offer, 
and their code was accepted.

Alea iacta est.

> -compn

cu
Adrian

-- 

       "Is there not promise of rain?" Ling Tan asked suddenly out
        of the darkness. There had been need of rain for many days.
       "Only a promise," Lao Er said.
                                       Pearl S. Buck - Dragon Seed