Are there simple line-powered MP3 recorders?

[JosephKK]

On Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:18:48 -0800, Joerg
<notthisjoergsch@removethispacbell.net> wrote:

JosephKK wrote:
On Tue, 04 Nov 2008 16:05:29 -0800, Joerg
notthisjoergsch@removethispacbell.net> wrote:

Rich Grise wrote:
On Tue, 04 Nov 2008 12:52:14 -0800, Joerg wrote:
Joel Koltner wrote:
"Joerg" <notthisjoergsch@removethispacbell.net> wrote in message
news:lS0Qk.3807$hc1.2980@flpi150.ffdc.sbc.com...
Well, we just ordered a top-of-the-line Marantz recorder. Even easier:
Plug it in, turn it on, press "REC" -> works.
When can we expect to hear the results of the new recorder on the web
site?


A few weeks maybe. Some wiring will have to be re-done and I as well as
our IT pro must to do that after work. Also, the old rack needs to be
re-built and so on. Not exactly a piece of cake.
Maybe not, but think of the satisfaction you'll get from a job well done.



This is at church so we aren't after worldly recognition or self-pride

So where did the money come from for the top of the line Marantz?


Like everything else there, free-will donations. Some items are bought
and then donated directly, such as a very nice grand piano. In that case
the donor wished to remain anonymous which is very common in Lutheran
congregations. Even after he or she passes away nobody will be told.

OK.

 

[JosephKK]

On Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:53:41 -0800, Joerg
<notthisjoergsch@removethispacbell.net> wrote:

Jan Panteltje wrote:
On a sunny day (Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:23:32 -0800) it happened Joerg
notthisjoergsch@removethispacbell.net> wrote in
w24Rk.5018$D32.3407@flpi146.ffdc.sbc.com>:

I've learned about bash and sudo by now. But with CAD systems this
really gets in the way. Libraries whether supplied with the SW,
acquired, or self-created all ought to be under the same "Lib"
subdirectory. In Linux you cannot do that. You could theoretically copy
them all into /home/phil/geda/lib but then you cannot start the program
from the usual GUI interface anymore. Because it would then not see
those libraries. Honestly, that doesn't make much sense to me.

I am not sure, but I think that is not correct.
man chown

for example if there is a user joerg, then, as root you can do:

mkdir mylibs

ls -ld mylibs
drwxr-xr-x 2 root root 48 2008-11-08 00:42 mylibs/

Change the owner, and group now you program should see it:
chown joerg:joerg mylibs
drwxr-xr-x 2 joerg joerg 48 2008-11-08 00:42 mylibs/

That directory can be anywhere.

Or
chown joerg:users
drwxr-xr-x 2 joerg users 48 2008-11-08 00:42 mylibs/


Anywhere, as in anywhere but root. At least that's what people told me.
This means you now need to start stuff like gschem from the new
directory where the libs are, by command line. Because it will otherwise
not see its gafrc and thus not load your libraries.

As a long time linux user/self admin i have never found a case where i
could not access any file as root i wanted to. As for setting the
environment variables up properly yo need more instruction.

This is so much easier in Windows SW. You don't need to do anything,
just start to create your own libraries and remain disciplined enough
not to mess with original libraries. I've had that discipline for over
20 years now

 

[JosephKK]

On Sat, 08 Nov 2008 00:02:06 GMT, Jan Panteltje
<pNaonStpealmtje@yahoo.com> wrote:

On a sunny day (Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:53:41 -0800) it happened Joerg
notthisjoergsch@removethispacbell.net> wrote in
my4Rk.8480$Ws1.3503@nlpi064.nbdc.sbc.com>:


Anywhere, as in anywhere but root. At least that's what people told me.
This means you now need to start stuff like gschem from the new
directory where the libs are, by command line. Because it will otherwise
not see its gafrc and thus not load your libraries.

Script, put this in /usr/local/sbin/mygschem

cd whereveritis
gschem


make it executable:
chmod +x /usr/local/sbin/mygschem

now link your GUI or whatever so the icon starts
mygschem

That is how I run all the win stuff like swcad


grml: ~ # cat /usr/local/sbin/swcad
cd "/root/.wine/drive_c/Program Files/LTC/SwCADIII/"
wine scad3.exe
grml: ~ #


So all I have to to is type swcad.
You could add an icon too, but I mostly use rxvt (sort of an xterm).

You may need to add 'sudo' before those commands.

Anyways I am always root
Some people are scared of that...

While i am not scared of becoming root whenever i want, i see no need
of being root all the time as there is increased security risk in
doing so.

 

[Jan Panteltje]

On a sunny day (Sun, 09 Nov 2008 23:22:04 -0800) it happened JosephKK
<quiettechblue@yahoo.com> wrote in
<j4ofh499nhkti7s0tcm0u4utth8oua7ngj@4ax.com>:

While i am not scared of becoming root whenever i want, i see no need
of being root all the time as there is increased security risk in
doing so.

There is no security risk.
That is a fairy tale.
At least not much more then a normal user.
The risk is that you will modify something essential, like erasing a library.
But you can do that with sudo too, and if you are inexperienced as root,
then the chances that you will f*ck up with sudo only become bigger.
One suggestion:
*Always* look what you have typed before you hit ENTER.
A small typo can wipe out something essential.

 

[Joerg]

JosephKK wrote:

On Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:53:41 -0800, Joerg
notthisjoergsch@removethispacbell.net> wrote:

Jan Panteltje wrote:
On a sunny day (Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:23:32 -0800) it happened Joerg
notthisjoergsch@removethispacbell.net> wrote in
w24Rk.5018$D32.3407@flpi146.ffdc.sbc.com>:

I've learned about bash and sudo by now. But with CAD systems this
really gets in the way. Libraries whether supplied with the SW,
acquired, or self-created all ought to be under the same "Lib"
subdirectory. In Linux you cannot do that. You could theoretically copy
them all into /home/phil/geda/lib but then you cannot start the program
from the usual GUI interface anymore. Because it would then not see
those libraries. Honestly, that doesn't make much sense to me.
I am not sure, but I think that is not correct.
man chown

for example if there is a user joerg, then, as root you can do:

mkdir mylibs

ls -ld mylibs
drwxr-xr-x 2 root root 48 2008-11-08 00:42 mylibs/

Change the owner, and group now you program should see it:
chown joerg:joerg mylibs
drwxr-xr-x 2 joerg joerg 48 2008-11-08 00:42 mylibs/

That directory can be anywhere.

Or
chown joerg:users
drwxr-xr-x 2 joerg users 48 2008-11-08 00:42 mylibs/

Anywhere, as in anywhere but root. At least that's what people told me.
This means you now need to start stuff like gschem from the new
directory where the libs are, by command line. Because it will otherwise
not see its gafrc and thus not load your libraries.

As a long time linux user/self admin i have never found a case where i
could not access any file as root i wanted to. ...

Of course I can get to those as root. But from within the application I
can not.

... As for setting the
environment variables up properly yo need more instruction.

I asked this question in a forum of knowledgeable Linux users and they
said the only way is to put the special libraries under
/home/joerg/whatever, place a gafrc there and forget about running
gschem from the GUI. I began to wonder what the GUI in Ubunutu is really
for. Ok, I thought, not nice but can be done. So I did just that. After
all I grew up with DOS where almost everything was command line.

However, piece by piece came the next "workarounds" where I was told
that I'd have to close the schematic, run some script from the command
line, then re-open the schematic. For example for simple tasks such as
renumbering a schematic properly, meaning without trampling over
multiple opamp instantations. Well, that'all doable but it begins to
crimp my productivity.

This is so much easier in Windows SW. You don't need to do anything,
just start to create your own libraries and remain disciplined enough
not to mess with original libraries. I've had that discipline for over
20 years now

--
Regards, Joerg

http://www.analogconsultants.com/

"gmail" domain blocked because of excessive spam.
Use another domain or send PM.

 

[Jan Panteltje]

On a sunny day (Mon, 10 Nov 2008 11:14:26 -0800) it happened Joerg
<notthisjoergsch@removethispacbell.net> wrote in
<sK%Rk.6639$c45.6180@nlpi065.nbdc.sbc.com>:

However, piece by piece came the next "workarounds" where I was told
that I'd have to close the schematic, run some script from the command
line, then re-open the schematic. For example for simple tasks such as
renumbering a schematic properly, meaning without trampling over
multiple opamp instantations. Well, that'all doable but it begins to
crimp my productivity.

Joerg I think you misunderstood something from my explanation.
The idea is that you start from a script, and in the script you have the sudo.
The icon on the GUI points to the script.
Actually I just tried that, as user, with everything in root, on
xandros Linux.

With libs in /root/wherever_libs
script:
cd wherever
sudo whatever


Or just login as root (somebody already explained that very well).

 

[Joerg]

Jan Panteltje wrote:

On a sunny day (Mon, 10 Nov 2008 11:14:26 -0800) it happened Joerg
notthisjoergsch@removethispacbell.net> wrote in
sK%Rk.6639$c45.6180@nlpi065.nbdc.sbc.com>:

However, piece by piece came the next "workarounds" where I was told
that I'd have to close the schematic, run some script from the command
line, then re-open the schematic. For example for simple tasks such as
renumbering a schematic properly, meaning without trampling over
multiple opamp instantations. Well, that'all doable but it begins to
crimp my productivity.

Joerg I think you misunderstood something from my explanation.
The idea is that you start from a script, and in the script you have the sudo.
The icon on the GUI points to the script.
Actually I just tried that, as user, with everything in root, on
xandros Linux.

With libs in /root/wherever_libs
script:
cd wherever
sudo whatever


Or just login as root (somebody already explained that very well).

Ok, maybe I can somehow circumvent this (to me somewhat nonsensical)
barrier. But there are more barriers than just that :-(

--
Regards, Joerg

http://www.analogconsultants.com/

"gmail" domain blocked because of excessive spam.
Use another domain or send PM.

 

[Rich Grise]

On Sat, 08 Nov 2008 11:29:23 -0800, Joerg wrote:

Rich Grise wrote:
On Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:53:41 -0800, Joerg wrote:
This is so much easier in Windows SW. You don't need to do anything,
just start to create your own libraries and remain disciplined enough
not to mess with original libraries. I've had that discipline for over
20 years now

"Discipline, comrades, iron discipline."
--- George Orwell, "Animal Farm".

But really. To install from source, run configure, then make, then log
out, log in as root, Chdir to the source, run install, then log out and
log in as yourself. It should work then - the installer should make it
available on your GUI menu(s).

Make? You mean re-compile it all? That wouldn't quite be my cuppa tea ;-)

It's Ubuntu.

That depends on if somebody's already compiled it and has made the
binaries available. I know virtually nothing about Ubuntu, other than
it's got a Linux kernel.

And there's really no problem with compiling from source - it's mostly
time-consuming, but you could run it in the background while you surf
the 'net or whatever.

Good Luck!
Rich

 

[Rich Grise]

On Mon, 10 Nov 2008 08:49:54 +0000, Jan Panteltje wrote:

On a sunny day (Sun, 09 Nov 2008 23:22:04 -0800) it happened JosephKK
j4ofh499nhkti7s0tcm0u4utth8oua7ngj@4ax.com>:

While i am not scared of becoming root whenever i want, i see no need of
being root all the time as there is increased security risk in doing so.

There is no security risk.
That is a fairy tale.
At least not much more then a normal user. The risk is that you will
modify something essential, like erasing a library. But you can do that
with sudo too, and if you are inexperienced as root, then the chances that
you will f*ck up with sudo only become bigger. One suggestion:
*Always* look what you have typed before you hit ENTER. A small typo can
wipe out something essential.

Like this?
$ rm -R /*

;-)

Cheers!
Rich

 

[Joerg]

Rich Grise wrote:

On Sat, 08 Nov 2008 11:29:23 -0800, Joerg wrote:

Rich Grise wrote:
On Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:53:41 -0800, Joerg wrote:
This is so much easier in Windows SW. You don't need to do anything,
just start to create your own libraries and remain disciplined enough
not to mess with original libraries. I've had that discipline for over
20 years now
"Discipline, comrades, iron discipline."
--- George Orwell, "Animal Farm".

But really. To install from source, run configure, then make, then log
out, log in as root, Chdir to the source, run install, then log out and
log in as yourself. It should work then - the installer should make it
available on your GUI menu(s).

Make? You mean re-compile it all? That wouldn't quite be my cuppa tea ;-)

It's Ubuntu.

That depends on if somebody's already compiled it and has made the
binaries available. I know virtually nothing about Ubuntu, other than
it's got a Linux kernel.

And there's really no problem with compiling from source - it's mostly
time-consuming, but you could run it in the background while you surf
the 'net or whatever.

Ok, but so far KiCad looks like a program where all that can be
configured with ease right within the GUI. And it lets me define library
parts with the proper power pin fashion, meaning VCC and VSS only at the
first part of a package and not also the others. Or, in engineering
speak, I might just take the path of least reistance.

--
Regards, Joerg

http://www.analogconsultants.com/

"gmail" domain blocked because of excessive spam.
Use another domain or send PM.

 

[Jan Panteltje]

On a sunny day (Mon, 10 Nov 2008 20:07:01 GMT) it happened Rich Grise
<rich@example.net> wrote in <pan.2008.11.10.20.07.01.623160@example.net>:

And there's really no problem with compiling from source - it's mostly
time-consuming, but you could run it in the background while you surf
the 'net or whatever.

I wanted Firefox-3 on my system.
Downloaded it.
It told me it wanted a new gtk++ whatever.
To compile gtk (did it several times in the past), you need to first compile
a new glib, then for a new glib you need to first compile atk, and for atk you
need cairo, and you need pango too.
So after ./configure compiling all things in the right order, gtk gave a compile error.
As now the new stuff was linked in, and the new gtk did not work,
that was the end of gtk.
So I erased all gtk related (as above), and did the same thing again
for the old libraries.
Now the old firefox-2 no longer worked either.
I used the safety net, and used Opera (fast nice, but different).
Found some old beta of firefox-3 from years ago named 'minefield',
and that is what it is, if you select a bookmark it freezes, and can
then only be killed from an other xterm.
But at least it runs.
So now I use 2 browsers, perhaps until the next gtk comes out.
So, tell me again: compile from source is easy!!

 

[Joerg]

Jan Panteltje wrote:

On a sunny day (Mon, 10 Nov 2008 20:07:01 GMT) it happened Rich Grise
rich@example.net> wrote in <pan.2008.11.10.20.07.01.623160@example.net>:

And there's really no problem with compiling from source - it's mostly
time-consuming, but you could run it in the background while you surf
the 'net or whatever.

I wanted Firefox-3 on my system.
Downloaded it.
It told me it wanted a new gtk++ whatever.
To compile gtk (did it several times in the past), you need to first compile
a new glib, then for a new glib you need to first compile atk, and for atk you
need cairo, and you need pango too.
So after ./configure compiling all things in the right order, gtk gave a compile error.
As now the new stuff was linked in, and the new gtk did not work,
that was the end of gtk.
So I erased all gtk related (as above), and did the same thing again
for the old libraries.
Now the old firefox-2 no longer worked either.
I used the safety net, and used Opera (fast nice, but different).
Found some old beta of firefox-3 from years ago named 'minefield',
and that is what it is, if you select a bookmark it freezes, and can
then only be killed from an other xterm.
But at least it runs.
So now I use 2 browsers, perhaps until the next gtk comes out.
So, tell me again: compile from source is easy!!

That already happens with this dreaded .NET stuff. Case in point: SW for
the new DSO required .NET. Bit my lips so no cuss words would slip my
mouth because I had a hunch that this would not be too reliable.
Downloaded .NET. Loaded scope SW, started it, ... "MEEEEEP". Error. Call
manufacturer. "Oh, it will not work with .NET 2.0, it needs the older
1.1 and they are not backwards compatible. Great. Just great. Thanks,
Microsoft.

<clap, clap, clap ...>

--
Regards, Joerg

http://www.analogconsultants.com/

"gmail" domain blocked because of excessive spam.
Use another domain or send PM.

 

[Vladimir Vassilevsky]

Joerg wrote:

That already happens with this dreaded .NET stuff. Case in point: SW for
the new DSO required .NET. Bit my lips so no cuss words would slip my
mouth because I had a hunch that this would not be too reliable.
Downloaded .NET. Loaded scope SW, started it, ... "MEEEEEP". Error. Call
manufacturer. "Oh, it will not work with .NET 2.0, it needs the older
1.1 and they are not backwards compatible. Great. Just great. Thanks,
Microsoft.

You should thank the DSO manufacturer, not M$. Dot net is worseless; it
is just another attempt to make the programming job available for utter
imbeciles. The fact that their software is incompatible with the newer
dot net is the proof of that.

VLV

 

[Joerg]

Vladimir Vassilevsky wrote:

Joerg wrote:


That already happens with this dreaded .NET stuff. Case in point: SW
for the new DSO required .NET. Bit my lips so no cuss words would slip
my mouth because I had a hunch that this would not be too reliable.
Downloaded .NET. Loaded scope SW, started it, ... "MEEEEEP". Error.
Call manufacturer. "Oh, it will not work with .NET 2.0, it needs the
older 1.1 and they are not backwards compatible. Great. Just great.
Thanks, Microsoft.

You should thank the DSO manufacturer, not M$. Dot net is worseless; it
is just another attempt to make the programming job available for utter
imbeciles. The fact that their software is incompatible with the newer
dot net is the proof of that.

I see that a bit differently. From any kind of environment, whether CAD,
an OS, .NET or whatever I expect that newer versions are able to run
stuff that was written for older versions. Else it is IMHO not a good
product.

Instek had written they routines during a time when 1.1 was the current
version. I don't think they did anything wrong. They do not have
clairvoyant skills that would allow them to predict what could be
screwed up in the next .NET release by gazing at a crystal ball ;-)

It's not that Microsoft can't do it. Some of their business units
clearly can. For example, I can still read MS-Works files from 1989,
created on the very first DOS version. Of course, I encountered some
other bugs in Works 8.0 so I prefer the previous more stable version.

--
Regards, Joerg

http://www.analogconsultants.com/

"gmail" domain blocked because of excessive spam.
Use another domain or send PM.

 

[JosephKK]

On Mon, 10 Nov 2008 08:49:54 GMT, Jan Panteltje
<pNaonStpealmtje@yahoo.com> wrote:

On a sunny day (Sun, 09 Nov 2008 23:22:04 -0800) it happened JosephKK
quiettechblue@yahoo.com> wrote in
j4ofh499nhkti7s0tcm0u4utth8oua7ngj@4ax.com>:

While i am not scared of becoming root whenever i want, i see no need
of being root all the time as there is increased security risk in
doing so.

There is no security risk.
That is a fairy tale.
At least not much more then a normal user.
The risk is that you will modify something essential, like erasing a library.
But you can do that with sudo too, and if you are inexperienced as root,
then the chances that you will f*ck up with sudo only become bigger.
One suggestion:
*Always* look what you have typed before you hit ENTER.
A small typo can wipe out something essential.

BTDT

 

[JosephKK]

On Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:45:43 -0800, Joerg
<notthisjoergsch@removethispacbell.net> wrote:

JosephKK wrote:
On Tue, 04 Nov 2008 12:54:10 -0800, Joerg
notthisjoergsch@removethispacbell.net> wrote:

Jan Panteltje wrote:
On a sunny day (Tue, 04 Nov 2008 10:52:56 -0800) it happened Joerg
notthisjoergsch@removethispacbell.net> wrote in
lS0Qk.3807$hc1.2980@flpi150.ffdc.sbc.com>:

This is becoming the obvious embedded RTLinux PC project. Select your
PC104 form factor stuff, stir in the right Linux stuff and boom, it
just works.

Well, we just ordered a top-of-the-line Marantz recorder. Even easier:
Plug it in, turn it on, press "REC" -> works.
Yes, but where is the challenge?

Right now I don't need any more challenges

Besides a few client projects I am trying to migrate to gEDA. Got it
running but the symbol editing turns out to be a real bear. Plus
learning all the Linux-speak.

You are in exactly the right place to help me. I have yet to get gEDA
running enough to even begin schematic entry. How did you do it? On
what underlying variant? Oh hell, you can read headers, talk to me.


Well, first I made the decision that I will absolutely not have a dual
boot system because that all but kills productivity. So I got Sun
VirtualBox. Then I downloaded Ubuntu, installed it as a virtual machine
on this new VirtualBox. Installing applications such as gschem and PCB
Designer is a breeze in Linux. You go to a package manager (I used
Synaptics) look around what's there and check the boxes of the stuff you
want. Then click install and have a coffee. After that I was in business.

Then, while drawing some mock schematics I found out the limitations in
gEDA and they are so serious for an analog guy like me that I will
probably select KiCad as my next CAD system. But that decision isn't
final just yet. Mostly the issues have to do with things like explicit
power symbols and designator re-numbering. Yeah, there are workarounds
for some of these issues but most require to close the schematic, go to
the terminal, do stuff on the command line, then re-open gschem, re-load
the schematic. So things that take five seconds with my current CAD now
take minutes. Other issues seem to only be fixable if I use what SW pros
call a "fork". I just learned that from the gEDA NG, it means you would
now be using a version that will not necessarily remain compatible with
the main program that almost everyone else is using. That isn't quite
what I had in mind for a new CAD system.

The plus side of gEDA is a stellar support and help, and friendly people
in the newsgroup. Also lots of helper applications. And when you look
for one in the package manager just scrolling through all that Linux SW
out there can make you drool. There is a ton of good stuff.

BTW, once you get it loaded open up someone elses schematic and play
around in it. For me that is usually the best way to learn the ropes.

Where is the gEDA NG? I will load a ubuntu slice if i cannot find a
good package for Suse. My new experimental machine ought to be fast
enough to use something like VirtualBox. I am just about to
transition to my current experimental machine for my production
machine. I just have to get my next experimental machine built and
going. Then backups , backups, backups.

 

[JosephKK]

On Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:48:42 -0800, Joerg
<notthisjoergsch@removethispacbell.net> wrote:

JosephKK wrote:
On Tue, 04 Nov 2008 10:52:56 -0800, Joerg
notthisjoergsch@removethispacbell.net> wrote:

JosephKK wrote:
On Mon, 27 Oct 2008 09:26:29 -0700, Joerg
notthisjoergsch@removethispacbell.net> wrote:

Charlie E. wrote:
On Sun, 26 Oct 2008 14:31:21 -0700, Joerg
notthisjoergsch@removethispacbell.net> wrote:

For our church we are looking for mains-powered (no batteries) MP3
recorders that can record up to 1.5hrs, preferably onto a USB stick. As
simple as possible, like on/off, record, stop.

I have looked around the web and only found gear from Roland which had
mixing functions and stuff that makes it too complicated, or Intempo
which is more geared towards recording from radio channels and would
probably need some hack to connect to our mixer. If this costs a few
hundred Dollars that's ok but it cannot be complicated with teeny LCD
screens and menus. In essence I'd have to be able to call someone and
say "Turns this dark gray gizmo in the left corner on and hit the red
record button", not explain a lengthy menu tree where they need a
magnifier just to see it.

IOW what we need is a cassette recorder sans cassettes, that records
onto USB. Any ideas?
Jeorge,
We used a pro gear Tascam recorder for our last project, but it used
compact flash, not USB flash, and is in the $900 range. I like your
idea, though, and would like to buy it as well. Maybe it is time to
design one!

Do you remember the Tascam model? Flash isn't ideal but a lot better
than CD or having to plug the whole device into a PC. That is because a
church member does the spooling onto the web from home and would then
have to drive back to church to return the unit.
This is becoming the obvious embedded RTLinux PC project. Select your
PC104 form factor stuff, stir in the right Linux stuff and boom, it
just works.

Well, we just ordered a top-of-the-line Marantz recorder. Even easier:
Plug it in, turn it on, press "REC" -> works.

And i had thought that Marantz had gone out of business long ago.
Maybe this is a "logo / brand name" resurrection.


It could be, but a serious audio professional from Germany recommended
three models and this was one of them. For a church the fact that it can
be completely configured from remote and that you can download
recordings the same way is a huge upside. Certainly in our case because
our IT guru lives way out in the boonies.

I got curious, so i checked. They exited the consumer market
completely, and returned to their roots in Pro Audio and have been
alive and well through the years. The remote management facilities
sounds really tasty.

Sometimes true Pro Audio really IS the easiest to use.

 

[Joerg]

JosephKK wrote:

On Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:45:43 -0800, Joerg
notthisjoergsch@removethispacbell.net> wrote:

JosephKK wrote:
On Tue, 04 Nov 2008 12:54:10 -0800, Joerg
notthisjoergsch@removethispacbell.net> wrote:

Jan Panteltje wrote:
On a sunny day (Tue, 04 Nov 2008 10:52:56 -0800) it happened Joerg
notthisjoergsch@removethispacbell.net> wrote in
lS0Qk.3807$hc1.2980@flpi150.ffdc.sbc.com>:

This is becoming the obvious embedded RTLinux PC project. Select your
PC104 form factor stuff, stir in the right Linux stuff and boom, it
just works.

Well, we just ordered a top-of-the-line Marantz recorder. Even easier:
Plug it in, turn it on, press "REC" -> works.
Yes, but where is the challenge?
Right now I don't need any more challenges

Besides a few client projects I am trying to migrate to gEDA. Got it
running but the symbol editing turns out to be a real bear. Plus
learning all the Linux-speak.
You are in exactly the right place to help me. I have yet to get gEDA
running enough to even begin schematic entry. How did you do it? On
what underlying variant? Oh hell, you can read headers, talk to me.

Well, first I made the decision that I will absolutely not have a dual
boot system because that all but kills productivity. So I got Sun
VirtualBox. Then I downloaded Ubuntu, installed it as a virtual machine
on this new VirtualBox. Installing applications such as gschem and PCB
Designer is a breeze in Linux. You go to a package manager (I used
Synaptics) look around what's there and check the boxes of the stuff you
want. Then click install and have a coffee. After that I was in business.

Then, while drawing some mock schematics I found out the limitations in
gEDA and they are so serious for an analog guy like me that I will
probably select KiCad as my next CAD system. But that decision isn't
final just yet. Mostly the issues have to do with things like explicit
power symbols and designator re-numbering. Yeah, there are workarounds
for some of these issues but most require to close the schematic, go to
the terminal, do stuff on the command line, then re-open gschem, re-load
the schematic. So things that take five seconds with my current CAD now
take minutes. Other issues seem to only be fixable if I use what SW pros
call a "fork". I just learned that from the gEDA NG, it means you would
now be using a version that will not necessarily remain compatible with
the main program that almost everyone else is using. That isn't quite
what I had in mind for a new CAD system.

The plus side of gEDA is a stellar support and help, and friendly people
in the newsgroup. Also lots of helper applications. And when you look
for one in the package manager just scrolling through all that Linux SW
out there can make you drool. There is a ton of good stuff.

BTW, once you get it loaded open up someone elses schematic and play
around in it. For me that is usually the best way to learn the ropes.

Where is the gEDA NG? I will load a ubuntu slice if i cannot find a
good package for Suse. My new experimental machine ought to be fast
enough to use something like VirtualBox. I am just about to
transition to my current experimental machine for my production
machine. I just have to get my next experimental machine built and
going. Then backups , backups, backups.

It's here:

gmane.comp.cad.geda.user

You need to go through one authorization cycle before your first post is
propagated. Sometimes Yahoo throws a wrench in there, then you have to
also sign up for this groups in Yahoo using the same email address.

I suggest to also try KiCad. Run directly on Windows and IMHO it has a
much more polished user interface. So far I never needed to close
everything and go to the command line. But there have been PADS netlist
issues, that't one of the things I'll probably get to the ground of
today. Quite important here because my layouter uses PADS.

--
Regards, Joerg

http://www.analogconsultants.com/

"gmail" domain blocked because of excessive spam.
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[Joerg]

JosephKK wrote:

On Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:48:42 -0800, Joerg
notthisjoergsch@removethispacbell.net> wrote:

JosephKK wrote:
On Tue, 04 Nov 2008 10:52:56 -0800, Joerg
notthisjoergsch@removethispacbell.net> wrote:

JosephKK wrote:
On Mon, 27 Oct 2008 09:26:29 -0700, Joerg
notthisjoergsch@removethispacbell.net> wrote:

Charlie E. wrote:
On Sun, 26 Oct 2008 14:31:21 -0700, Joerg
notthisjoergsch@removethispacbell.net> wrote:

For our church we are looking for mains-powered (no batteries) MP3
recorders that can record up to 1.5hrs, preferably onto a USB stick. As
simple as possible, like on/off, record, stop.

I have looked around the web and only found gear from Roland which had
mixing functions and stuff that makes it too complicated, or Intempo
which is more geared towards recording from radio channels and would
probably need some hack to connect to our mixer. If this costs a few
hundred Dollars that's ok but it cannot be complicated with teeny LCD
screens and menus. In essence I'd have to be able to call someone and
say "Turns this dark gray gizmo in the left corner on and hit the red
record button", not explain a lengthy menu tree where they need a
magnifier just to see it.

IOW what we need is a cassette recorder sans cassettes, that records
onto USB. Any ideas?
Jeorge,
We used a pro gear Tascam recorder for our last project, but it used
compact flash, not USB flash, and is in the $900 range. I like your
idea, though, and would like to buy it as well. Maybe it is time to
design one!

Do you remember the Tascam model? Flash isn't ideal but a lot better
than CD or having to plug the whole device into a PC. That is because a
church member does the spooling onto the web from home and would then
have to drive back to church to return the unit.
This is becoming the obvious embedded RTLinux PC project. Select your
PC104 form factor stuff, stir in the right Linux stuff and boom, it
just works.

Well, we just ordered a top-of-the-line Marantz recorder. Even easier:
Plug it in, turn it on, press "REC" -> works.
And i had thought that Marantz had gone out of business long ago.
Maybe this is a "logo / brand name" resurrection.

It could be, but a serious audio professional from Germany recommended
three models and this was one of them. For a church the fact that it can
be completely configured from remote and that you can download
recordings the same way is a huge upside. Certainly in our case because
our IT guru lives way out in the boonies.

I got curious, so i checked. They exited the consumer market
completely, and returned to their roots in Pro Audio and have been
alive and well through the years. The remote management facilities
sounds really tasty.

Sometimes true Pro Audio really IS the easiest to use.

Yes. When I see a plastic 3.5mm jack as an audio input I get the creeps.
This Marantz has real inputs. Plus it can be rack mounted which is a
great plus for us. I don't like stuff flying and sliding about a table top.

--
Regards, Joerg

http://www.analogconsultants.com/

"gmail" domain blocked because of excessive spam.
Use another domain or send PM.

 

[Rich Grise]

On Mon, 10 Nov 2008 20:44:01 +0000, Jan Panteltje wrote:

On a sunny day (Mon, 10 Nov 2008 20:07:01 GMT) it happened Rich Grise

And there's really no problem with compiling from source - it's mostly
time-consuming, but you could run it in the background while you surf the
'net or whatever.

I wanted Firefox-3 on my system.
Downloaded it.
It told me it wanted a new gtk++ whatever. To compile gtk (did it several
times in the past), you need to first compile a new glib, then for a new
glib you need to first compile atk, and for atk you need cairo, and you
need pango too.

OOps! Forgot all about that. I guess I've had the same problem, and just
abandoned trying to install whatever-it-was, and blocked it out of my
memory. =:-O

Thanks,
Rich