Re: sound problems

[Bruce Smith <bruce@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

> I'm wearing a tank top today.

Gee, thanks for that image, Bob!   ;{)

> I am very reluctant to upgrade OS versions simply to get a device working
> unless I UNDERSTAND WHY the upgrade is needed. Sometimes this requires more
> thought, but over the long haul it's actually saved me work, since I only
> upgrade when I need to, and understanding is the name of the game in Linux.

Sometimes just upgrading and not worrying about the "why" saves time.
Especially on a home PC that is not mission critical to a network.

> Note that there are plenty of OTHER reasons to upgrade to RH "5.2" BSWare, like
> security fixes, some problem that people had with *** pppd *** (your other
> reported problem), and positioning for 2.2.x kernels.

"Security fixes" being the main reason I keep on top of updates,
and created BSware in the first place.

> Bruce and I have both chucked the "improved" OSS support and gone to ALSA,
> at least for running an application we have in common (the Internet audio
> application called "Speak Freely").  This is because our sound hardware could
> not be driven in full-duplex with OSS, which is a Good Thing for telephone
> apps. Note that Bruce did ALSA originally on a 2.0.36 box, mine is still
> working on 2.0.35. Heck, THIS machine (look at the header) is still on 2.0.30,
> like RH FOUR POINT TWO (not for long!).

If you don't need full-duplex, then OSS is fine.  (and a lot easier! :)
For normal sound, I can't tell any difference in quality between ALSA & OSS.

--------------------------------------------
Bruce Smith                bruce@armintl.com
System Administrator / Network Administrator
Armstrong International, Inc.
Three Rivers, Michigan  49093  USA
http://www.armstrong-intl.com/
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