open source crap was Re: Archiving Software

[Gordon JC Pearce]

Allison wrote:

> Once I went to great lenghts to put out a subsection of CP/M bios using
> 765 for general interest and no particular use.  The result, one moaned 
> about the assembler used (plain ASM), another was disappointed I didn't
> use Z80 instructions and Opcodes, A two tried to tell me it can't work
> (it was from the system that used/assembled it!).  My response was and 
> is still FREE IMPLIES: YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.  Caps inteneded..  Often
> rather than getting mad accept it for what it is.

FWIW, I've written a couple of synth plugins for Linux audio 
applications, both of which are based on Xsynth-DSSI original code.  One 
of them emulates the analogue end of a Roland TB303 Bassline and is a 
pretty major rewrite, the other is a kind of vector/wavetable synth 
thing and was more of a quick proof-of-concept hack.

I've only had a couple of emails about these, but they've all been along 
pretty positive lines, and occasionally suggestions for little tweaks to 
improve them.  I suppose it depends on what kind of itch you're trying 
to scratch - if you're solving a (relatively) uncommon but hard problem, 
like writing a BIOS, then you may find that you run across people are 
more critical.  Possibly because they can't sort it themselves.

Gordon.