The Problem

Linux has historically lagged behind other operating systems in the multimedia arena. Microsoft's Windows™ and Apple's MacOS™ both have strong support for multimedia devices, multimedia content creation, playback, and realtime processing. Linux, on the other hand, has a poorly integrated collection of multimedia utilities and applications available, which can hardly compete with the professional level of software available for MS Windows and MacOS.

The Linux user who wishes to hear a sound file must hunt through their collection of sound file players in order to play the tens of sound file formats in wide use today. The Linux developer who wishes to embed a video clip in their application must use crude hacks to run an external video player. The sound designer who wishes to record and edit digital audio in a stable, high-performance environment must dismiss Linux as an option.