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Open Source Job at Creative Labs
A number of people pointed us to a help wanted form on Creative Labs website. I wouldn't normally post helped wanted, but any situation that includes duties such as "...for the implementation of Linux applications that
build on the opensource drivers currently for our DVD's, Sound Cards, Nomad,
as well as other products in development. This includes bug fixes,
optimizations, kernel tweaks, working with our Open Source team, and
individual contributors from the Linux community," looks good by me. The word-use is a bit strange - it looks like they will be Open Source drivers, correct?
With modular device drivers, generally speaking, who cares if it's open-source.
Linux Kernel Modules are modular in that they don't need to be preloaded, not in that they don't need to be compiled for a given machine.
There are all sorts of variations--SMP v. Single Processor, 1GB v. 2GB memory barrier, and the all important kernel revision that make closed source drivers a nightmare to keep working over time.
And the Linux-Kernel list doesn't care--and I somewhat agree.
Microsoft's response to broken drivers has been to blame them for most NT crashes, and *try* to have a certification program. The Linux-Kernel list has pretty much flat out stated that that's not acceptable. They want to do things right, therefore while the interfaces they expose to userlevel stuff will remain compatible, they reserve the right to break the kernel into little pieces if the rebuild ends up more efficient. The interesting thing is that this forces driver development to stay in sync with kernel development, preventing rot and being a definite contributor to system stability as a whole.
It's an interesting response, if you ask me.
Yours Truly,
Dan Kaminsky
DoxPara Research
http://www.doxpara.com
The current (GPL'd) drivers will continue to develop independantly of the binary-only branch. The binary-only drivers will supply certain IP-bound features of the card (EAX's reverb and HRTF algorithms notably), while the open-source drivers will continue to be developed. (The open source drivers will also get effects, but they won't be Emu/Ensoniq's algorithms).
.h file is in CVS now. The ALSA guys are working on their own version of such a driver - since they already have soundfont code for the AWE32 they may have an edge on getting wavetable running faster.
:)
Wavetable features will be developed for the GPL driver - Creative released register specs for the emu10k1 engine Tuesday on the list, and the new commented
Plus, Alan Cox will be placing the current driver into the 2.3.x kernel soon (cleanup for that is almost done). Creative thinks this is cool (and under GPL they can't really object
Well, sorry if the wording is not clear. What I am looking for is an S/W Applications engineer to develop tools, sample code, utilities, and of course Apps (GUI Mixer, Effects Compiler, Misc GUI Apps). Right now we have a sound driver(no pun) that is coming along very quickly, and in a short period of time I believe that we will need some good GUI controls for various features (downloading effects, routing inputs/outputs, etc). In addition we need a pretty "User Gui" for other products such as DVD, WebCam, and Nomad. Now... it is critical that we(Creative and other driver developers) put together Application Interfaces and Driver Interfaces that work well together -- which is why the add reads they way it does. I am looking for someone to come in and help pull together ideas from the people that are doing the driver work(inside and outside the company). I am NOT looking for someone to come in and push their own agenda. So the ideal person is both technically capable as well as being able to articulate a long term vision to people. I hope this helps clarify what I am searching for. Cheers, Jake