Venkat, that is probably easier if you are using Win7. Imagine doing the same thing with a Win-XP disk. Whilst I have created one with SP3 slip-streamed, it
still leaves a vast amount of Windows updates to download and install. The same will
become true of W7. I really hate the task of re-installing Windows and my essential software, possibly because I have done it dozens of times. If it is a brand new machine (and mine) then there is a flicker of pleasure in seeing it come to life, otherwise it is just a chore, and one that can be avoided.
As I mentioned before, for my Audio PC, it will have nothing in it excepting the drivers for the sound card, ASIO drivers, and one application to play music. This is not very difficult to manage.
That's fine, but it is not what you previously said. My previous answers addressed your previous statements.
Bluu said:
Thad, what sort of Linux setup are you using for your audio PC?
I am using Ubuntu 10.04 (Ubuntu Studio variant). The installation, alongside XP, is a dream, and easily accessible to someone with no previous Linux/Unix experience. Is it different with W7? I don't know (I expect the internet does

) but it would surprise me. If you work with Red Hat, you might find Ubuntu
disappointingly easy
Using it as an audio PC? there are some doubts and frustrations...
--- Most of the "studio" software is intended to interact with a system called Jack, and Jack is best used via Firewire. If you want to use a firewire device, it pretty much means running jack. That would be fine; I have what should be a very nice Firewire audio interface, in it's box. Jack, and the firewire drivers is an absolute pain to set up. Ubuntu 11.04 has, apparently, properly integrated the firewire. One day, I'll upgrade and find out, but, at this time, I don't have enough external hdd space to do a complete backup of my current Ubuntu system. Working on it.
--- Otherwise, the on-board sound is simply plug and play, as is my much-loved-but-very-old RME card (at least the analogue side of it). That's nice, as my decade-plus card is no longer supported past XP by the makers.
--- Device drivers may not be available for the audio hardware of choice.
--- Here's a deal breaker. For some reason it is difficult to achieve gapless playback of multiple tracks even when there is no gap in the music. How stupid is that?
--- I hate what they are doing with the user interface. 10.04 came out with something that could easily be used by any Win (and probably any mac) user and is very configurable and impressive (Compiz, Emerald and all) and then, less than a year later, they change it.
Otherwise, I have no problems with the sound, but recent hearing tests show why you should no longer take my word on that one.
A Linux music machine
should be possible. Lets give Windows the heave-ho!
