Linux Based Desktop Controller Software

[RO53BEN]

I think Sonos should create some Linux based desktop controller software.

Whilst it may not be used by so many it would increase flexibility and option for customers and support Sonos' neutrality towards specific platforms.

The support WMA (a windows codec) m4a (an Apple sourced codec) and FLAC (open source) so why not support the Open Source OS too? (not OS/2 snigger).

I wouldn't personally use it, but I feel this would be a good idea and gain a lot of media support...just look at what it did for Lotus Notes this week!

[Majik]

Naturally, being a Linux user, I agree.

Some suggestions as to how this might be achieved:

1. Make a "WINE friendly" version of the Windows DTP. The current installer doesn't work under wine, and if you force-install it with Windows, the desktop controller does load, but doesn't function properly

2. Look at using something like Trolltech's QT library as a basics for developing this. This is a cross-platform windowing library which works on Windows, Linux and Mac and which makes porting of gui apps a lot easier. The latest version (QT4) is very feature rich and makes a great dev environment. The downside with this is the licence. QT is free to use for Open Source projects, but has a fee for closed-source/commercial apps.

Cheers,

Keith

[garrison]

Are there any tips for installing under wine? I tried to install with Crossover Office 5 but the installer fails with: "1155: File Y:\Desktop\INSTMSIA.EXE not found"

[Majik]

Have you tried installing the Windows MSI installer?

After our chat it occurred to me I might have already had this installed from something else I was working on.

http://download.microsoft.com/downlo...S/InstMsiW.exe

Cheers,

Keith

[Mage]

My guess would be that there is a sufficiently large group of Sonos owners running a Linux/*BSD server as their NAS. At least I'm in this group. Since the server is always on, I would be very happy to have a Desktop Controller that is running on this server. As then, there is at least one extra room in my house where I have a "controller" that can be instantly used (on a CTR/LCD connected to the server), while the living room already has the Sonos Controller. All other rooms with a PC can use the Desktop Controller on the server, through VNC or X-Win.

Good idea?

Kind regards,
mage

[Majik]

Not a bad idea... I take it you're thinking of a basic controller with LCDProc support.

Potentially this could be developed outside Sonos. The API is there to support it (UPnP).

I started trying to write some UPnP code under Linux, but didn't get very far due to time and skill restraints. I was aiming for some Command line utils, and such a thing could be very easily adapted or "wrapped" to do what you are suggesting.

Cheers,

Keith

[buzz]

F.Y.I. I recently noticed a Linux choice on the Rhapsody download page.

[vanmenn]

It would be great to have a Controller for Linux. All I have is pc's running Linux, so I can't use the current software :(

I'd prefer a web based program instead of a client, because it would be possible to control Sonos from any pc.

[Majik]

Doesn't Andy Wick's Sonosweb achieve what you want?

Cheers,

Keith

[vanmenn]

Originally Posted by Majik

Doesn't Andy Wick's Sonosweb achieve what you want?

yes it does (or better, it should, because I can't get it working on Ubuntu ).

But apart from that, I think it would be good if Sonos made an app themselves, including support.