Sure, but OSX doesn't run on an Athlon 64. The article isn't about "which 64 bit hardware is faster", but is rather about "which OS makes the most of the AMD 64 bit hardware".
Including a PPC machine would make it a totally different type of comparision. They are not comparing Linux/Athlon 64 to Linux/PPC. They are comparing WindowsXP 64 to 64 bit Linux distributions. And besides, several programs in the comparison will not run on a Linux/PPC machine (UT2004 and ET come to mid specifically). You can't have a game comparison then. There are very few Linux/PPC games available. Linux Game Publishing's "Majesty" comes to mind, but why would anyone want to benchmark that (even though it is a great game)?
To save people the pain of RTFA, there's a very tangible gain moving to 64-bitness, Linux wins some (MySQL, UT2004), and Windows wins some (rendering, RtCW)."
This is an interesting quote, considering that Suse 64 beats WindowsXP 64 at PovRay rendering. FC2 beats Windows in 64 and 32 bit mode for Mental Ray rendering.
So, saying "Windows wins some (rendering..." is pretty subjective. Fedora is slower as is, in most cases, compared to Suse, as shown by the benchmarks (not surprising for Fedora). I find it strange that ET is slower on Linux than Windows, since most Q3 engine games are faster on Linux than Windows. Must have something to do with the way ET was specifically built or the nature of the OpenGL 32 bit code in the Linux nVidia 64 bit drivers.
Regardless, it still looks like Windows still isn't viable as a 64 bit OS. Given that Linux has better compilers for 64 bit code, more software that can take advantage of 64 bit (by nature of the the fact that most of it is free/opensource), and better 64 bit support in general, I think that it really shows that it is probably the best option for 64 bit at the moment. It could take *years* before most Windows software gets 64 bit variants. With Linux, it's all here now, aside from the handful of proprietary programs that many people don't run anyway. And since nVidia's 64 bit Linux drivers are still pretty immature (they only added 32 bit OpenGL support in June, in spite of it being a more capable 64 bit platform than Windows XP at the moment), expect some major gains in performance in the coming months, for the handful of games that you can play on Linux.
This is true. Linspire's DVD player is essentially just XINE with an alleged "commercial license" to utilize the DVD libraries.
http://www.linspire.com/lindows_dvd_info.php
Of course, odds are that they do have to have the source available for the GPL libdvdcss libraries that it uses, so does that mean that they are violating trade secrets as well? Or, I wonder if they rewrote portions of XINE to link against some commercial DVD libraries instead?
In most respects, DeCSS is actually old and busted. In fact, it's seldom used anymore. Most players use "libdvdcss", which was written independently of DeCSS. MPlayer even includes patched versions of libdvdread and libdvdcss within its own source.
I could do Contra without 30 lives, utilizing the continues. Life Force on the other hand - doubtful. But I could beat Life Force without using a whole 30 lives. I can't remember the exact details though. I remember that I got REALLY close to beating Life Force without the cheat code. I think I died at the salamander at the end - or very close to him.
Several years later, I tried it again, and I was really rusty at those games. They are still some of my all-time favorites though. Konami was one of the best back then. Nowadays, some of their games are still good, but back then - nearly all of their games were good.
Life Force is one of my all-time favorite shooters. I still need to get a copy of the PC Engine version, so I can play it on my Turbo Express or TG16.
I would think that you would just be able to take a peice of heavy sheet metal, and bend it to the frame of the window sill. Install the mounting hardware on the outside portion. The inside portion could wrap around the sill for extra support, and the window would be able to close freely on top of the sheet metal. It would be quite stable as well. Maybe something like this. Bow to my ASCII art skizzils (linked because of Slashdot's stupid lameness filters)...
http://zborgerd.freeshell.org/satellite.txt
The window would close on top of the flat metal plate, which would bend around the sill or screw/bolt into the inside wall. They also make flat RJ6 cabling that you can run under windows. I've seen it at most any store that sells the dishes. Here is an example.
http://www.starlink-dss.com/FlatCable.htm
Just be sure to use your compass and make sure you have a clear view of the sky before you attempt this window installation. Of course, this may not work with some windows. It just depends on what you've got.
"linux.org" and "kernel.org" don't turn up either when you search for "Linux". Strange. In fact, I see no real method to its searching.
"gmail" and "Google Mail" don't take you to the root of the Gmail site, but lists a page that says "Google mail is evil" instead. Strange.
It really makes no sense. "Windows" and "Hotmail" take you to the proper pages. Why is there such a discrepancy in the searches?
Wow! Searching "windows vs linux" in Microsoft's new search engine gives more links that are favorable towards Linux, than the results through Google. It must be working after all!
The kernel is much the same as it was years ago, only faster/more powerful/more compatible.
If you don't like it, don't install all of the Linux *apps*. You don't need Gnome or KDE on a Linux system. If its problem is the fact that it is too "bloated" now, then you obviously never had a nead for it, and it doesn't matter. If I'm not mistaken, the kernel will still run on 16 MB RAM. The rest is up to you.
What makes you think that Linux can't use an "install.exe"? In fact, Linux ELF binaries and self-extracting shell scripts (normally install.sh or something similar) are used all of the time.
All commercial games come in pre-compiled form. Proprietary software like Opera comes in this form. They all install entries into a standard Gnome or KDE menu. If you really want a shortcut on the desktop, simply drag it from your "menu".
I'm not sure just what you are getting at. All of the commercial apps *can* do what you ask for. Open source apps, on the other hand, may not. But if you have that much trouble with it, use an RPM distribution or something like Lindows with Click-N-Run. Otherwise, you're just sptting out excuses for a problem that doesn't exist.
If you don't like it, complain to the developer for not making it easier by providing you with a prcompiled binary and a graphical installer. I'm sure he'll be willing to help you with your problem (yeah right).
Cards either use DRI or the prorpietary nVidia system. OpenGL is a STANDARD because it doesn't require any special work to get it to function on all OpenGL compatible hardware.
Maybe you could do a better job explaining what you mean by "Loading the proper GL handler". Permissions aren't a problem either. nVidia drivers automatically configure take care of the permissions issues, and DRI drivers simply need a line in the XF86Config/xorg.conf that tells it to allow all users to access the DRI device.
Sure, several years ago 3D was a mess on Linux, but that's not the case anymore. I suspect that you are one of those guys that tried to use a 3D card several years ago, gave up, and still have a bad impression because of your experience with Linux.
Frankly, I've never had a problem with any distro, any hardware, or any program, when it comes to using 3D on Linux within the last few years.
Considering that nearly all GPL/Free/OpenSource software says that "THERE IS NO WARRANTY" (etc, etc), your claim is without merit.
Even Microsoft will not be liable for their software defects. They make it perfectly clear in their own license (their exeption is refunds and replacement of the software).
Kinda debunks that concept about paying Microsoft licenses for the sake of having a liable software provider, doesn't it?
NO LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES. To
the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, in no event shall
Manufacturer or its suppliers be liable for any damages
whatsoever (including without limitation, direct or indirect
damages for personal injury, loss of business profits, business
interruption, loss of business information, or any other
pecuniary loss) arising out of the use of or inability to use
this product, even if Manufacturer has been advised of the
How can Communism (or Socialism) really apply to a non-physical product? Software is freely duplicated anyway, regardless of the license that is used - and GPL software can be sold for profit, at that.
Some traits of Socialism and Communism:
-Public or government owns means of production. -Central committes plan production. -There is no competition. -No profit motive in the distribution of goods or services.
Why GPL is not "Communist":
-Individuals can own means of production of GPL software. -People can own components of software that work with GPL, and they can determine means of production. -Several (profitable) companies create and utilize GPL software products competitively. -The pursuit of profit is the reason that corporations like RedHat and Suse distibute their software.
If anything, GPL is more like "Welfare Capitalism", in a sense that you are free to utilize software under the license, and share it, and even profit from it, but there is a system of rules in place that are designed to protect the welfare of its userbase. Those rules are the GPL restrictions that force you to include your modifications, upon request of the purchaser, if you wish to distribute or sell the code. If you don't wish to do this, then write a GPL'd mechanism that glues to your own proprietary code. How is this so restrictive? It's not. How is this like Communism if it allows one to distribute it in a profitable, Capitalist fashion? You probably can't answer that because it's *not* Communism.
Besides... Would it not be ideal to have a system that allows true competition, while allowing nearly equal playing ground for everyone to benefit or profit? Extreme Capitalism does not do this, and is not unlike Socialism or Communism in many ways. GPL software like Linux levels the playing ground. The days when you were locked into a single provider are coming to an end. You now have the choice of purchasing an incredible product from a number of vendors (RedHat/Suse/Novell/Mandrake/Etc). You have the choice of paying for a level of support that fits your needs. You have the choice of making your own product as well, and making a profit from it. Now you tell me what sounds more liberating.
You boneheads who talk about how GPL is similar to Communism don't have a damn clue what either is about. You refuse to accept that software is a changing industry, and the old rules of the dinosaur companies like Microsoft will ultimately be the cause of their toppling. Of course they want you to believe it's Communism, because companies like RedHat are stealing their business (and making money off of it).
It's time for me to get back to programming GPL software for my company.
How is it more "BSD-like" if you can't take the code for your own non-CE projects?
You probably cannot take the Windows kernel code and write your own free derivative based upon it.
Don't confuse shared-source with free (speech) software until you know all of the details of the license. GPL is still free, even if you need to jump though a few hoops to avoid violating the license if you wish to glue it to proprietary code. It's doubtful that "Shared Source" will be this way.
How is it less restictive when you can't take the code for alternative projects?
Will you see the Windows CE kernel code in any other software? Probably not. The license doesn't allow that. This is *NOT* free software. The modifyable code only guarantees that you will have a bit more flexibility over the use of it in your own devices. You can make your own improvements without having to give them back to Microsoft.
Guess what... You can do that with GPL code as well. Think of something like YAST (before it was GPLed) or nVidia's binary drivers. Both offer their own "improvements" to existing GPL software.
It's not less restrictive if you read the fine print.
The important thing with Slackware is to make sure that you compile your programs properly. Generally, this means using "./configure --prefix-/usr" (maybe even sysconfdir as well) to make sure that you don't have crap going everywhere.
Otherwise, dependancies have never been an issue for me. Slack has most of the important stuff. There are a few obscure libraries, like those used in games (Battle of Wesnoth comes to mind), but the majority of programs will install on a Slackware machine with minimal need for additional libraries or files.
On my Slackware machine, everything always works wonderfully and is fast and stable. That's been my experience since I started using it in 2000, and is the reason I've used it ever since.
I'm going over to the Slackware store this week to order my copy of Slackware 10. I haven't ordered a CD since 8.1 (downloaded the last two releases), and feel its important to show our support to Pat for the awesome work he's done with Slackware.
The only problem with your comment is that the PS2 (as a console) is NOT better than the Dreamcast. In fact, it's inferior in most ways. On the other hand, the PS2 has enjoyed more than a fair share of excellent games that many people anticipated, including franchises like those from Squaresoft. Dreramcast, in comparison, had lots of A+ titles in its library, but most were too obscure or unique for most people to take notice until it was too late. Exclusive sequels (and hype) are what sold the PS2, and that is what will likely sell the PS3.
Well, it does have a plugin capability, and it is open source. However, I don't know exactly what you're looking for. I suppose that any open source program of this nature would allow you to implement pretty much anything you wish.
Generally, if you have a PCI sound device that uses software-based DirectX sound synthesis, you're out of luck with ALSA. The EMU10k1 audio chips (like the SB Live and Audigy) have pretty good support through ALSA.
They aren't really as difficult to get running as they may seem. If you do it from scratch, it's a matter of downloading 3 packages (alsa-driver, alsa-lib, alsa-utils) and running the usual "./configure & make & make install". The./snddevices script for the drivers must be run as well, to set the permissions, and it's a good idea to pass the "--with-sequencer=yes --with-oss=yes" options when you run the driver config script.
Anyway... Most kernels come with a modern ALSA driver set in the first place. It's not that necessary to update them in most instances, if you are using a newer distribution. Even so, there are usually update packages available for most distributions.
That wasn't really what I mentioned in my original post though. I mentioned that the ALSA driver set and subsystem is very capable and powerful, and offers lower latency than Windows and OSX. The API is well documented and should not be difficult for software programmers to utilize. It also has powerful audio routing from tools like Jack, which allow you to string programs together.
I'd say that even though MIDI isn't one of ALSA's finer points (due to limitations of the drivers for a lot of software that use software midi devices), the rest of the subsystem is quite ready for production-level apps.
It's had some for years... Aspell, pspell, ispell.
The problem is just that a lot of programs don't make use of it. Most opensource word processors (Abiword does) and programs like GAIM do, however. Most programs that use spell checking do it through aspell.
All GTK apps can do spell-check through GTKSpell, which is built on top of aspell (or the older pspell). I think that KDE/QT has a similar feature.
So, you may partially be in luck... Soon. It is avaiable through CVS, and does work (from what I've read), even though it is in an alpha/beta state.
Kino and Cinelerra are two video editing programs for Linux. It really depends on how much you need to do, but it may be enough for most simple tasks between the two programs.
Slashdot Mirror
Sure, but OSX doesn't run on an Athlon 64. The article isn't about "which 64 bit hardware is faster", but is rather about "which OS makes the most of the AMD 64 bit hardware".
Including a PPC machine would make it a totally different type of comparision. They are not comparing Linux/Athlon 64 to Linux/PPC. They are comparing WindowsXP 64 to 64 bit Linux distributions. And besides, several programs in the comparison will not run on a Linux/PPC machine (UT2004 and ET come to mid specifically). You can't have a game comparison then. There are very few Linux/PPC games available. Linux Game Publishing's "Majesty" comes to mind, but why would anyone want to benchmark that (even though it is a great game)?
This is an interesting quote, considering that Suse 64 beats WindowsXP 64 at PovRay rendering. FC2 beats Windows in 64 and 32 bit mode for Mental Ray rendering.
So, saying "Windows wins some (rendering..." is pretty subjective. Fedora is slower as is, in most cases, compared to Suse, as shown by the benchmarks (not surprising for Fedora). I find it strange that ET is slower on Linux than Windows, since most Q3 engine games are faster on Linux than Windows. Must have something to do with the way ET was specifically built or the nature of the OpenGL 32 bit code in the Linux nVidia 64 bit drivers.
Regardless, it still looks like Windows still isn't viable as a 64 bit OS. Given that Linux has better compilers for 64 bit code, more software that can take advantage of 64 bit (by nature of the the fact that most of it is free/opensource), and better 64 bit support in general, I think that it really shows that it is probably the best option for 64 bit at the moment. It could take *years* before most Windows software gets 64 bit variants. With Linux, it's all here now, aside from the handful of proprietary programs that many people don't run anyway. And since nVidia's 64 bit Linux drivers are still pretty immature (they only added 32 bit OpenGL support in June, in spite of it being a more capable 64 bit platform than Windows XP at the moment), expect some major gains in performance in the coming months, for the handful of games that you can play on Linux.
This is true. Linspire's DVD player is essentially just XINE with an alleged "commercial license" to utilize the DVD libraries.
http://www.linspire.com/lindows_dvd_info.php
Of course, odds are that they do have to have the source available for the GPL libdvdcss libraries that it uses, so does that mean that they are violating trade secrets as well? Or, I wonder if they rewrote portions of XINE to link against some commercial DVD libraries instead?
In most respects, DeCSS is actually old and busted. In fact, it's seldom used anymore. Most players use "libdvdcss", which was written independently of DeCSS. MPlayer even includes patched versions of libdvdread and libdvdcss within its own source.
I could do Contra without 30 lives, utilizing the continues. Life Force on the other hand - doubtful. But I could beat Life Force without using a whole 30 lives. I can't remember the exact details though. I remember that I got REALLY close to beating Life Force without the cheat code. I think I died at the salamander at the end - or very close to him.
Several years later, I tried it again, and I was really rusty at those games. They are still some of my all-time favorites though. Konami was one of the best back then. Nowadays, some of their games are still good, but back then - nearly all of their games were good.
Life Force is one of my all-time favorite shooters. I still need to get a copy of the PC Engine version, so I can play it on my Turbo Express or TG16.
I would think that you would just be able to take a peice of heavy sheet metal, and bend it to the frame of the window sill. Install the mounting hardware on the outside portion. The inside portion could wrap around the sill for extra support, and the window would be able to close freely on top of the sheet metal. It would be quite stable as well. Maybe something like this. Bow to my ASCII art skizzils (linked because of Slashdot's stupid lameness filters)...
http://zborgerd.freeshell.org/satellite.txt
The window would close on top of the flat metal plate, which would bend around the sill or screw/bolt into the inside wall. They also make flat RJ6 cabling that you can run under windows. I've seen it at most any store that sells the dishes. Here is an example.
http://www.starlink-dss.com/FlatCable.htm
Just be sure to use your compass and make sure you have a clear view of the sky before you attempt this window installation. Of course, this may not work with some windows. It just depends on what you've got.
"linux.org" and "kernel.org" don't turn up either when you search for "Linux". Strange. In fact, I see no real method to its searching.
"gmail" and "Google Mail" don't take you to the root of the Gmail site, but lists a page that says "Google mail is evil" instead. Strange.
It really makes no sense. "Windows" and "Hotmail" take you to the proper pages. Why is there such a discrepancy in the searches?
Wow! Searching "windows vs linux" in Microsoft's new search engine gives more links that are favorable towards Linux, than the results through Google. It must be working after all!
And by the way...
BSD can be made into just as much of a "desktop OS" as Linux, considering that they can run the same desktop software.
Linux isn't "drifting" anywhere.
The kernel is much the same as it was years ago, only faster/more powerful/more compatible.
If you don't like it, don't install all of the Linux *apps*. You don't need Gnome or KDE on a Linux system. If its problem is the fact that it is too "bloated" now, then you obviously never had a nead for it, and it doesn't matter. If I'm not mistaken, the kernel will still run on 16 MB RAM. The rest is up to you.
What makes you think that Linux can't use an "install.exe"? In fact, Linux ELF binaries and self-extracting shell scripts (normally install.sh or something similar) are used all of the time.
All commercial games come in pre-compiled form. Proprietary software like Opera comes in this form. They all install entries into a standard Gnome or KDE menu. If you really want a shortcut on the desktop, simply drag it from your "menu".
I'm not sure just what you are getting at. All of the commercial apps *can* do what you ask for. Open source apps, on the other hand, may not. But if you have that much trouble with it, use an RPM distribution or something like Lindows with Click-N-Run. Otherwise, you're just sptting out excuses for a problem that doesn't exist.
If you don't like it, complain to the developer for not making it easier by providing you with a prcompiled binary and a graphical installer. I'm sure he'll be willing to help you with your problem (yeah right).
On Windows, I've used a program called ReaConverter to do just what you say (and then some).
http://www.reasoft.com/products/reaconverter/
But I agree. ImageMagick is the best option, since it's free.
Cards either use DRI or the prorpietary nVidia system. OpenGL is a STANDARD because it doesn't require any special work to get it to function on all OpenGL compatible hardware.
Maybe you could do a better job explaining what you mean by "Loading the proper GL handler". Permissions aren't a problem either. nVidia drivers automatically configure take care of the permissions issues, and DRI drivers simply need a line in the XF86Config/xorg.conf that tells it to allow all users to access the DRI device.
Sure, several years ago 3D was a mess on Linux, but that's not the case anymore. I suspect that you are one of those guys that tried to use a 3D card several years ago, gave up, and still have a bad impression because of your experience with Linux.
Frankly, I've never had a problem with any distro, any hardware, or any program, when it comes to using 3D on Linux within the last few years.
Even Microsoft will not be liable for their software defects. They make it perfectly clear in their own license (their exeption is refunds and replacement of the software).
Kinda debunks that concept about paying Microsoft licenses for the sake of having a liable software provider, doesn't it?
How can Communism (or Socialism) really apply to a non-physical product? Software is freely duplicated anyway, regardless of the license that is used - and GPL software can be sold for profit, at that.
Some traits of Socialism and Communism:
-Public or government owns means of production.
-Central committes plan production.
-There is no competition.
-No profit motive in the distribution of goods or services.
Why GPL is not "Communist":
-Individuals can own means of production of GPL software.
-People can own components of software that work with GPL, and they can determine means of production.
-Several (profitable) companies create and utilize GPL software products competitively.
-The pursuit of profit is the reason that corporations like RedHat and Suse distibute their software.
If anything, GPL is more like "Welfare Capitalism", in a sense that you are free to utilize software under the license, and share it, and even profit from it, but there is a system of rules in place that are designed to protect the welfare of its userbase. Those rules are the GPL restrictions that force you to include your modifications, upon request of the purchaser, if you wish to distribute or sell the code. If you don't wish to do this, then write a GPL'd mechanism that glues to your own proprietary code. How is this so restrictive? It's not. How is this like Communism if it allows one to distribute it in a profitable, Capitalist fashion? You probably can't answer that because it's *not* Communism.
Besides... Would it not be ideal to have a system that allows true competition, while allowing nearly equal playing ground for everyone to benefit or profit? Extreme Capitalism does not do this, and is not unlike Socialism or Communism in many ways. GPL software like Linux levels the playing ground. The days when you were locked into a single provider are coming to an end. You now have the choice of purchasing an incredible product from a number of vendors (RedHat/Suse/Novell/Mandrake/Etc). You have the choice of paying for a level of support that fits your needs. You have the choice of making your own product as well, and making a profit from it. Now you tell me what sounds more liberating.
You boneheads who talk about how GPL is similar to Communism don't have a damn clue what either is about. You refuse to accept that software is a changing industry, and the old rules of the dinosaur companies like Microsoft will ultimately be the cause of their toppling. Of course they want you to believe it's Communism, because companies like RedHat are stealing their business (and making money off of it).
It's time for me to get back to programming GPL software for my company.
How is it more "BSD-like" if you can't take the code for your own non-CE projects?
You probably cannot take the Windows kernel code and write your own free derivative based upon it.
Don't confuse shared-source with free (speech) software until you know all of the details of the license. GPL is still free, even if you need to jump though a few hoops to avoid violating the license if you wish to glue it to proprietary code. It's doubtful that "Shared Source" will be this way.
How is it less restictive when you can't take the code for alternative projects?
Will you see the Windows CE kernel code in any other software? Probably not. The license doesn't allow that. This is *NOT* free software. The modifyable code only guarantees that you will have a bit more flexibility over the use of it in your own devices. You can make your own improvements without having to give them back to Microsoft.
Guess what... You can do that with GPL code as well. Think of something like YAST (before it was GPLed) or nVidia's binary drivers. Both offer their own "improvements" to existing GPL software.
It's not less restrictive if you read the fine print.
You do know that RedHat (and virtually everything else) was based on that "garage basement project", right?
There are reasons why Slackware is so legendary, and has always been a profitable project for the one-man operation.
Oops. Typo. That's "./configure --prefix=/usr"
The important thing with Slackware is to make sure that you compile your programs properly. Generally, this means using "./configure --prefix-/usr" (maybe even sysconfdir as well) to make sure that you don't have crap going everywhere.
;)
Otherwise, dependancies have never been an issue for me. Slack has most of the important stuff. There are a few obscure libraries, like those used in games (Battle of Wesnoth comes to mind), but the majority of programs will install on a Slackware machine with minimal need for additional libraries or files.
On my Slackware machine, everything always works wonderfully and is fast and stable. That's been my experience since I started using it in 2000, and is the reason I've used it ever since.
I'm going over to the Slackware store this week to order my copy of Slackware 10. I haven't ordered a CD since 8.1 (downloaded the last two releases), and feel its important to show our support to Pat for the awesome work he's done with Slackware.
Keep em coming Pat.
I sent an invite to someone two days ago, and he still hasn't gotten it.
I can vouch that this is certainly questionable.
The only problem with your comment is that the PS2 (as a console) is NOT better than the Dreamcast. In fact, it's inferior in most ways. On the other hand, the PS2 has enjoyed more than a fair share of excellent games that many people anticipated, including franchises like those from Squaresoft. Dreramcast, in comparison, had lots of A+ titles in its library, but most were too obscure or unique for most people to take notice until it was too late. Exclusive sequels (and hype) are what sold the PS2, and that is what will likely sell the PS3.
It's hard to tell what will happen next.
Well, it does have a plugin capability, and it is open source. However, I don't know exactly what you're looking for. I suppose that any open source program of this nature would allow you to implement pretty much anything you wish.
Generally, if you have a PCI sound device that uses software-based DirectX sound synthesis, you're out of luck with ALSA. The EMU10k1 audio chips (like the SB Live and Audigy) have pretty good support through ALSA.
./snddevices script for the drivers must be run as well, to set the permissions, and it's a good idea to pass the "--with-sequencer=yes --with-oss=yes" options when you run the driver config script.
They aren't really as difficult to get running as they may seem. If you do it from scratch, it's a matter of downloading 3 packages (alsa-driver, alsa-lib, alsa-utils) and running the usual "./configure & make & make install". The
Anyway... Most kernels come with a modern ALSA driver set in the first place. It's not that necessary to update them in most instances, if you are using a newer distribution. Even so, there are usually update packages available for most distributions.
That wasn't really what I mentioned in my original post though. I mentioned that the ALSA driver set and subsystem is very capable and powerful, and offers lower latency than Windows and OSX. The API is well documented and should not be difficult for software programmers to utilize. It also has powerful audio routing from tools like Jack, which allow you to string programs together.
I'd say that even though MIDI isn't one of ALSA's finer points (due to limitations of the drivers for a lot of software that use software midi devices), the rest of the subsystem is quite ready for production-level apps.
It's had some for years... Aspell, pspell, ispell.
The problem is just that a lot of programs don't make use of it. Most opensource word processors (Abiword does) and programs like GAIM do, however. Most programs that use spell checking do it through aspell.
All GTK apps can do spell-check through GTKSpell, which is built on top of aspell (or the older pspell). I think that KDE/QT has a similar feature.
Filezilla 3 is in development and is getting a full rewrite with WxWidgets to make it totally cross-platform capable.
c .p hp?t=64
http://filezilla.sourceforge.net/forum/viewtopi
So, you may partially be in luck... Soon. It is avaiable through CVS, and does work (from what I've read), even though it is in an alpha/beta state.
Kino and Cinelerra are two video editing programs for Linux. It really depends on how much you need to do, but it may be enough for most simple tasks between the two programs.