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Hi - thanks for checking in to this post. I'm thinking of installing Linux and it's music software on a 2.4 gig Dell. Is BIAB the only PG software that can work with Linux? Also I wanted to use this computer in a router with several other Windows computers for internet access and audio file transfer - can Linux and Windows interface? I don't imagine file transfer would be a problem as long as the files are wave or midi.
Cheers
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I'm sure with time and energy you should be able to to get Biab and other Windows musical software programs to run in Linux using Wine or a Windows emulator. You can also pretty easily network Windows and Linux, and the transfer of files will not be a problem over your network.
However, I like to keep things simple so I've avoided the things you are thinking about doing. I primarily use Linux for internet activities (surfing, email, ftp, web page development, downloading, playing mp3s or videos, etc) and Windows for music composition and the other things that it does so well. For security reasons, I exclude Windows from the network and only transfer files using Usb devices.
From my experience, keeping Windows isolated and using Linux for the internet has many advantages:
1. I can run Windows without any anti-virus or anti-spyware programs slowing it down.
2. I am not obligated to install the Microsoft security updates.
3. I do not have Windows System Restore running.
4. I do not have to have a Windows firewall running.
5. My Windows installation works as quickly now as it did when I first set it up.
6. I have fewer backup images (Ghost images) to track.
7. A new backup image is only required when I find a program I can't live without. Procedure below:
a. Install and try the program to make sure it works and that I really need and want it.
b. Restore the last good Ghost image (This keeps Windows running smoothly).
c. Install the program as a keeper
d. Create a new image of the OS and programs.
8. Its great to be working on the Windows Pc and have the Linux Pc displaying any needed docs or web pages.
The disadvantages that I have encountered:
1. I have to transfer files between Pcs using a Usb storage device. (Kind of trivial)
2. I have to run a firewall on the Linux Pc (Trivial because its necessary on any internet Pc)
3. I had to install Avast for Linux on the Linux Pc to scan any file being transferred to the Windows Pc.
Hope this helps...
JBlatz
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Yes this will definitely help - thanks for taking the time to set this all out. There are also supposed to be several open source Linux audio software available that I'm anxious to try for mixing. WINE - I had forgotten about that. Does having to use that complicate Linux simplicity. Guess I'll find out.  Thanks again - Ian
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WINE is good (unless you happen to spill it over your computer by accident - been there, done that, got the T shirt, lost the lappie as a result). However, despite all the scaremongers, I am still sticking to XP. I hate the monopoly of the BG enterprise (but admire it too as a businessman), yet I don't really feel that there is anything seriously significantly better out there...
yet
Follow That Dream Sam Karaoke King -------------------- Turning that corner again - I have to keep following that dream, no matter what
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Ian,
I have managed to get pre-RealTrack versions of BIAB running under Linux (Ubuntu) using WINE. It was not straightforward and not that effective when it's so much easier in Windows. Still it worked. As a consequence, though, I did not pursue trying to get RealTracks working in Linux.
BIAB is not designed for Linux and that makes the process a little more complicated. I suspect that if you do manage to get RT running in Linux, they will be quite slow by comparison to Windows. Like JBlatz, I use Windows for making music and Linux for everything else.
One other thought; I accidentally discovered that it's possible to install Linux within Windows. I don't know the benefits of doing this but it might be worth investigating if you are interested. I'm sure someone has written something about it on the net. I'd imagine that there might even be someone here who has some experience. This will allow you to potentially use Linux and Windows at the same time which could be an advantage for BIAB.
As JBlatz has pointed out, there should be no major problems getting Windows and Linux to interface on a network.
If this also of interest, some steps that I undertake to reduce the likelihood of a virus attack when using Windows on the internet are...
1. I do not use MS Office: for email I use Thunderbird with the add-on calendar; for word processing, etc, I use OpenOffice.org; for 'net surfing I use Mozilla Firefox and run the add-on "NoScript" which allows me to control script operation on webpages.
2. I run Avast as it constantly monitors the network.
Regards,
Noel
Last edited by Noel96; 09/19/09 10:43 PM.
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Sam - actually I understand sticking with XP - I decided I liked W2k, takes fewer resources and is stable. I use it on my music computer - smooth. As for WINE in the keyboard, I recommend a heavy based juice glass with a wide top - no stems.  or a wineskin. Noel - good stuff to consider - might be the way I'll go . . . everyday - Linux. No desire to move up in the WinOS world - too much bloat, too much Ram and, (with a nod to Peter, Paul and the "late" Mary) Too Much of Nothing. The more they tinker with it, the worse it gets. But thanks for the guidance on Linux. Have you tried any audio software developed for Linux? Perhaps we'll see a Linux version one day of the PG Products. Cheers
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Ian, Audacity in Linux is pretty much identical to Audacity in Windows. Another one that looks impressive but I haven't played around too much with is Ardour. If you have a hunt for Linux Freeware or Linux open source music editing software, you'll find 4 or 5 good programs. Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Awhile back, Rosegarden made quite a stir in the Linux world. pghboemike posted a list of freeware for the computer related to music and there were several linux music apps in that list - not emulations, programs designed for linux. http://www.rosegardenmusic.com/
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Ian, Linux is my primary operating system. Everything of any importance is managed in Linux. I use XP Pro as an accessory host program to run Windows-specific applications. It lives on a separate hard-drive, and is brought into service when I want to deploy BIAB or PTPA; these are the only two Windows-based programs I still use, other than MonkeysAudio when I'm collaborating with some one who doesn't know how to uses FLAC. Whenever there is a choice I opt for cross-platform software (Audacity, FLAC, FireFox...) rather than a Windows-specific application - for the stability, versatility, and resistance to malicious code that these programs offer. I hope this sheds some light on your situation 
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That sounds very interesting Oren, but i fear that I would gravely screw it up if I tried to go that route. I do have a second system available to mess with I might pick your brain soon if you do not mind.
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB/RB 2026, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 11 , Presonus Audiobox USB96
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Oren has been thru the Linux change-over and started with very basic understanding of what the OS did. He learned it and is getting very adept at using it. He would be a good source for help with beginning the process. He also knows quite a bit about Ardour, as he uses it regularly, along with other Linux music software, in our collaborative work. He uses it very well, and is quite popular on some other music forums for help in this regard. There are quite a few postings on making the change over on the http://kara-moon.com forums.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Quote:
That sounds very interesting Oren, but i fear that I would gravely screw it up if I tried to go that route. I do have a second system available to mess with I might pick your brain soon if you do not mind.
You are welcome everything I know on the subject, but with a brain like mine, pickings could be slim... 
Keep in mind that the BIAB and PTPA are the reason I got into computer music recording/production in the first place, and these programs make it worth keeping Windows running on a separate hard drive.
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Oren, Bob - thanks for coming in on this topic and adding to the collective input in it - exactly what I was hoping for when I started the thread. Bob - appreciated the link to Kara-Moon on the subject, had a brief read already. I'm definitely getting a better handle on how to use the two systems together and the strengths and weaknesses of combining the two. One question Oren - with the XP on a different hard drive, do you dual boot to access XP drive? Or is there another way to accomplish this? As you put it Oren - just looking for clues.
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Can't speak for Oren (I'm sure he will pop in shortly)
I use a linux distro disk when I want to boot linux.
I know some use a thumbdrive too, just a matter of setting boot order preferences.
I understand the drawbacks of booting Linux this way, but for how often I use it, it works out for me.
Dual boot for Linux/XP on hard drives is easy enough to do, I had to set up a system this way for school last semester. I am sure it'll work fine for you.
Hardest parrt will be deciding on which flavor of Linux to run with!
I run Knoppix when I use it, but Oren is using Ubuntu I believe...
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Quote:
One question Oren - with the XP on a different hard drive, do you dual boot to access XP drive? Or is there another way to accomplish this?
Ian,
The most disconcerting feature of Linux operating systems is that there is no "right way" to deploy them, there's only your way. My wife's HP laptop has Windows loaded on a small partition, and the rest of the drive managed by Ubuntu Deskstop 8.10. I keep a separate computer for Windows, and transfer files to/from the Linux computer with an SD memory card.
If I wanted to run a computer with both operating systems, I would have one drive for Linux, and a second drive managed by a Linux O/S, with Windows on a small partition of that second hard drive. The EXT3 file system used by Linux is very organized and stable - it never needs de-fragging - so I would keep the NTFS(Windows) file system area as small as possible. (note that Linux does not use a "pre-fetch registry", so there is never any need for a registry cleaner, either) Simply load your Windows O/S, then load your favourite Linux O/S on to the same drive, and it will ask you how much space to alot for a Windows partition.
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Here are a couple of useful sites for anyone wishing to get their feet wet. http://www.linux-noob.com/forums/index.php?This is a good site that may have answers to questions you are facing. First, I would suggest a visit to the "Just Starting Linux" Forum and then a visit the various distro forums in the "Distro Noob" section. http://distrowatch.com/This site lists 100 distributions along the right side of the page under the title "Page Hit Ranking". From there you can explore the website of those you find interesting. Hope this helps.
JBlatz
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Quote:
...Here are a couple of useful sites for anyone wishing to get their feet wet. Hope this helps...
Woh, what a selection of resources!
For me, Linux is a constant exercise in resourcefulness and ingenuity, but it keeps a user on his/her toes - and you know if something goes wrong it is operator error, not some"virus". So you do your homework, and move on, better equipped for the next challenge.
Thanks for these links... 
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Hi oren I was puzzled by a statement of yours and would like a bit more clarification. Quote:
For me, Linux is a constant exercise in resourcefulness and ingenuity
That sounds just like Windows.  What does it mean?
Cheers
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Quote:
I was puzzled by a statement of yours and would like a bit more clarification.
Ian,
Working with Linux is analogous to growing from a child into an adult (maybe that's why its so scary for me? ). You become completely responsible for the quality of your experience, and the degree of your success is solely a result of how well you take care of business.
For those of us who feel we want more control of our computing experience, it's the logical direction. It ain't easy, but it puts you right in the drivers seat 
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The other day i had a Ubuntu melt down, i had loaded it up and had it running smoothly! Yeah, then i decided to hit the net with it. Yeah Daddy here we go!
Hmmmm no matter what i tried it could not see the wireless driver. So anyway i explained that issue on the other post. Long story short i took ubuntu off the hard drive, and let me tell you that was no cakewalk!
Had to repair windows. Swore i was done with linux for now, but after a day or two of cooling down i loaded per a suggestion from a forum Red hat Fedora. guess what, it immediately saw my wireless card! HHHhhmmm now i can surf the net, but as any smart person might suspect that was the end of the joy, the next day firefox froze! After two days of digging, and research i find that the latest fedora and firefox builds are for lack of a better term, not friends!
So i download Opera, and install it on the hard drive, bang i am up and running on the internet. I have sound, internet, and as of this afternoon e-mail thru evolution mail.
This is not for the faint of heart, but it can be a bit of fun, as Owen said, you are in the driver seat, what he didn't say was there are no brakes and no seat belts. Hang on for the ride!
I do not know how far i will go with this, but at least i will give it a try. What i want is to move all internet and e-ail functions there and just use windows off the WWW.
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB/RB 2026, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 11 , Presonus Audiobox USB96
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
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