Snakeoil with Ubuntu Desktop ?

[Snoopy8]

Users have an option of using either Ubuntu Server or Desktop as the base.  However, the Desktop GUI is not available after SnakeOil is installed.  Is this a bug?  Otherwise, no point in offering the option?  Also, OpenSSH server also has to be installed separately in Ubuntu Desktop, whereas there is an install step for Server.

Was exploring whether it is possible to run Material Skin on a monitor to show current song, to mimic a display in a commercial streamer. For this exercise, tried Lubuntu Desktop which is far lighter; SnakeOil does install but GUI does not work.

[hkphantomgtr]

Since many years ago Snakeoil can be installed on desktop version of Ubuntu and stripped the GUI.   I don't see the point to complicate Snakeoil at the expense of sound quality and time of AK.  From the beginning SO is meant to be a high quality audio playback, targeting another segment in the "market".  In this pool, there are already several eye catching music playback software with compromised sound quality.  Honestly speaking, I don't think the audiophile world needs another such software in this segment, but a top notch one above all.

Just my two cents.

[Snoopy8]

Having a desktop base will encourage more people to try SnakeOil. Not sure whether we are there yet, but if a user can install SO and remove it cleanly on their normal environment, we have a new audience. We should limit it to Ubuntu 24 (& its derivatives?) only.

I am assuming that providing an optional desktop base is relatively easy for AK to do. If I am wrong, then I agree we should drop the desktop option.

[agent_kith]

One can choose either Desktop or Server, the stock kernel plays a role in sound quality. Desktop Ubuntu uses a kernel that's tuned towards a desktop (i.e. you will not feel a lag when you're typing, or moving the mouse), whereas the Server Ubuntu uses a kernel that's more optimised for running on a server.

If you then move to a RT kernel then both becomes the same (more or less, at least this was true the last time I checked).

Snakeoil is designed to run headless - i.e. no keyboard, mouse or video and everything is done remotely. This does gives the sound quality and edge. No GUI means no graphics, which reduces the load overall (less current drawn).

Having said that, there's every intention to create a text console UI. This is still in the pipeline, and I'm thinking of using Golang for this - this will come in time......

[Snoopy8]

One can choose either Desktop or Server, the stock kernel plays a role in sound quality. Desktop Ubuntu uses a kernel that's tuned towards a desktop (i.e. you will not feel a lag when you're typing, or moving the mouse), whereas the Server Ubuntu uses a kernel that's more optimised for running on a server.

If you then move to a RT kernel then both becomes the same (more or less, at least this was true the last time I checked).

Snakeoil is designed to run headless - i.e. no keyboard, mouse or video and everything is done remotely. This does gives the sound quality and edge. No GUI means no graphics, which reduces the load overall (less current drawn).

Having said that, there's every intention to create a text console UI. This is still in the pipeline, and I'm thinking of using Golang for this - this will come in time......

Then suggest removing Ubuntu Desktop as an option...  It may be slightly easier to install Ubuntu but does not include SSH in the steps.

[agent_kith]

Then suggest removing Ubuntu Desktop as an option...  It may be slightly easier to install Ubuntu but does not include SSH in the steps.

Leave that for now.. Once I have setup the Ubuntu cloud init script it will make the OS installation a lot easier. And it will use server edition.

As I am going to use Ventoy for this, it means I don't have to author a custom ISO like I did before. This in theory will cut down a lot of my time.

Like all things, it's coming soon.

For some reason despite having all the time in the world now there's still a ton of things to do.

[Snoopy8]

One can choose either Desktop or Server, the stock kernel plays a role in sound quality. Desktop Ubuntu uses a kernel that's tuned towards a desktop (i.e. you will not feel a lag when you're typing, or moving the mouse), whereas the Server Ubuntu uses a kernel that's more optimised for running on a server.

If you then move to a RT kernel then both becomes the same (more or less, at least this was true the last time I checked).

Was curious, managed to get xubuntu 24.04, with the lightweight xfce desktop, and real time kernel going with SO 1.4.3.  But SQ was impacted, as predicted.
 

Having said that, there's every intention to create a text console UI. This is still in the pipeline, and I'm thinking of using Golang for this - this will come in time......

Not sure if there is demand for this?  Maybe less work to optionally install X11 server and lightweight browser???  As a proof of concept, I managed to get Material Skin running on the console with Midori browser, and minimal, if no, impact on SQ on a Pi5 running SO 1.4.3...

[agent_kith]

Was curious, managed to get xubuntu 24.04, with the lightweight xfce desktop, and real time kernel going with SO 1.4.3.  But SQ was impacted, as predicted.

Reason why I call this project Snakeoil, is really I have no idea how everything works.

If we can figure out how/why sound changes then things will be a lot easier. I am willing to bet that xubuntu 24.04 might not sound good, but it may well be possible to find tweaks that will make it work (or a different version of xubuntu), and so on.

Not sure if there is demand for this?  Maybe less work to optionally install X11 server and lightweight browser???  As a proof of concept, I managed to get Material Skin running on the console with Midori browser, and minimal, if no, impact on SQ on a Pi5 running SO 1.4.3...

It's more for me to pick up a new programming language really. Just need to find a specific problem for me to use a programming language .

[Snoopy8]

If we can figure out how/why sound changes then things will be a lot easier. I am willing to bet that xubuntu 24.04 might not sound good, but it may well be possible to find tweaks that will make it work (or a different version of xubuntu), and so on.

Not worth the effort to investigate Xubuntu further. If anything, X11 Server with Ubuntu 24.04 Server is more promising.

What started this was reading on Lyrion forum of people using the Pi touch screen with PiCorePlayer. Was curious whether we can do the same thing with the console without sacrificing SQ. Curiosity satisfied...