[re: Terminator]
There is a sourceforge project set up called "all things empeg" but this hypothetical effort would be more player-specific.

[re: bobo]
I agree that a low-level API set is the first step towards such a goal. I know such API's for VFD graphics, sound, etc. have been discussed but until now there's been no real reason to attack the problem.

[re: peter]
True, Sonic Blue has not ended support, and it seems logical that they won't do so until a year from when the last player is sold due to warranty concerns. But once that day comes, there will be no way to get new features implemented. Whether it's a new audio format, a new serial I/O interface, or just some frivolous new visualizations. I guess I just see the few thousand Empegs in the world surviving for a lot longer than Sonic Blue's official support. WIth that in mind, I was thinking of how there are people writing software for other "powerful, yet commercially unsuccessful" platforms such as the Amiga (okay I'm sure there are better examples.)

I myself am not 100% sure if this is a worthwhile cause, I was just throwing it out here to see if we can anticipate a need for our own player software that can replace the Empeg player after it's features are forever frozen in time. Getting started on it now would increase the chances that there is a worthwhile result when the player software goes "final." If we're all happy with the 2.xx releases and can't see any reason we'd ever need another audio player on our Empeg, then maybe our development energies would be better focused elsewhere (like, for instance, the GPS projects that have been kicked around.

-Tony
MkII #554