Hello/EMU 0404 USB driver

[Martin Wilson <mpw473@bham.ac.uk>]

Hi all,

I've been using Linux for work related tasks for a couple of years now 
and after some initial difficulties it has been a great experience.  I 
now wouldn't dream of going back to a proprietary OS as feel I can work 
more far efficiently as a result of using open source tools.  I am 
currently using a mac mini at home for making music attached to a EMU 
0404 USB which is a very good card.  I would like to use something like 
Ubuntu studio instead of OSX for making music, however the sticking 
point is the driver for this particular piece of hardware.  Looking 
around forums it looks like I'm not the only one who has come across 
this problem, so I have the following questions...
1. What is the biggest obstacle for this driver becoming a reality?
2. Do creative play nicely with releasing the specifics of how their 
hardware works?
3. What is the best way to learn how to write drivers for sound cards 
(I've ordered the 'Linux Device drivers' book for an overview)?
4. Does the fact it is USB make it harder?
I have experience in programming in c/c++ and would like to have crack 
at writing a driver (even if I fail miserably!), but I don't want to 
spend ages leaning this process if it's an impossible task because I 
can't get the required information from Creative.  I am noticing many 
exciting tools such as JACK and Ardour gaining momentum and my hope is 
that soon Linux can be as good for play as it has proven to be for work :)

Thanks

Martin


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