This may sound strange but I got seriously interested in the
hobby after building a few kits over the years because I wanted
to improve my sound setup at the PC. That led me to look
for high efficiecy things and low wattage doo-dahs that would
tweak the ol' 'puter to listen to sound files.

Now I'm moving into Linux by way of Simply Mepis and a
couple other 'for grins' type operating system experiments.
And in there I have to learn about ALSA and the whole audio
environment of the open source world. I've read that
there's even a special distribution called DeMudi for
Debian Music Distribution that is specifically for the
audio engineering and enthusiasts migrating to the
open source world.

I never have listened to anything in a Best Buy. Where are
they going to put the auto sound room playing the 15
inchers that can be heard throughout the store and _felt_
close by the listening area?

(BTW, manual, I did send that review of Backbeat to your
whatchacallit address on here... supreme commander I think)

My biggest problem with both the audio and the automotive industries is the BS factor. There are so many involved in these fields that are completely and totally full of shit. I try to stay away from the BS'ers when I find them, because I can get irritated if I don't tune them out. So I'm generally happier when I stay out of retail showrooms.

I have been kicking around the idea of switching for quite some time as I have been so happy with some of the other open source programs I use such as Firefox, Open Office, etc...

There will always be a market for manufacturers who provide an exceptional product at an attractive price, but the vast majority of our sales will be direct. Shows like the GPAF and RMAF will become even more important in years to come for us to get the word out about our wares.

Regards,

Lee

Regards,

Lee

Regards,

Lee

Linux isn't at the point and click stage even as they might
tell you or have you believe.

It's like I picked up where I left off with Unix in 1996.
More code than I could deal with then and there's still a lot
of it. I just don't want to be on the Microsoft boat anymore.

It's a big help to have broadband since Linux is being updated
all the time.
I made the switch to bb when the price dropped close to where dialup
is for me.

I believe the true advantages are still in the future for Linux. For that future I've started to learn it now.

Just mail me then:

lon@athenet.net

What I get from the mail back system here is the only address
I have for you. If you are not webmaster or whatever,
then I don't have good address to send you things.

Far as the thread goes I don't have much if any contact with
high end audiophines and supply shops. The local one that's left here
is pretty much full of the snooty types I'm used to encountering in
them.

Far as DIY goes for younger people, you prob'ly right. But I
think that's a form versus content thing. What's more important:
the form or the content? Content comes from cable tv which can be
broadcast in stereo, free air and satellite radio and audio streams
bring radio. and then there's 'home theatre.' Home theatre with
vhs and dvd, cds etc provide for time shifting and on-demand viewing.
But it has also meant the balkanization of what was once a theatrical
experience. But it's kids who fill up the multiplexes so who's to
say what age group is out of sync?

lon