The ripple effect of LTT’s Linux Gaming Challenge continues to bring awareness and positive change to the Linux ecosystem. Last month we saw System76 and KDE take steps to prevent the accidental removal of their respective desktop environments. This week saw the GUI release of beginner-friendly app Gamebuntu from wunderkind developer Rudra Saraswat. Now the Fedora Project has its sights set on making life easier for podcasters and streamers.
Fedora’s Live Streaming Compatibility Initiative
On a recently published Fedora Wiki page, Christian Schaller (Director for Desktop, Graphics, Infotainment & i18n at @RedHat) explains that the the use case for live streaming has skyrocketed in the last decade. Whether you’re a gamer, a coder, a podcaster or just someone physically separated from loved ones, it’s become almost a utility rather than a luxury.
These use cases have only been amplified by the pandemic.
In a nutshell, the Fedora Workstation Live Streaming Compatibility Initiative aims to “make sure that Fedora Workstation has the best out of the box experience for the software and hardware.”
Every initiative begins with a first step. In this case, it’s listing the strengths and weaknesses of Linux compatibility. Then, the exciting part: articulating potential partnerships with hardware and software makers.
Key to this discussion is that Fedora wants to partner with entities “that have an interest in both upstream and downstream enablement.” Meaning, of course, that it wants the entire Linux ecosystem to benefit.
The initiative clearly states that Fedora intends to gather support from vendors and industry players to build moment around this.
Awesome!
Upstream / Downstream
Schaller and the team are beginning by outlining key hardware and software categories such as lighting, mixers, hardware encoders and video editing.
One example is GoXLR, a really slick broadcasting mixer with a sound board, faders and various vocal effects. It’s not working especially well with Linux at the moment. Perhaps the Fedora Project will be able to enact a positive change?
Another area of opportunity that’s listed is OBS Studio. While it works almost flawlessly under Linux right now, Fedora wants to reach out to OBS and ensure “top-notch PipeWire integration and Flatpak availability.”
Things are still in the very early stages, but Schaller seems driven to propel this forward. And the Fedora Project certainly has the connections and influence to make these partnerships a reality.
But they can’t do it without you.
Linux Content Creator? Feedback Wanted!
“The list on the wiki is currently a bit of a brain dump of what we found so far as being used,” Schaller tells me. “Our hope is to define a subset of the items on the page as the MVP and then work on outreach to the manufacturers and see how we can help the software communities on that MVP.”
Plainly put, your input is valuable to the Fedora Project on this one. If you’re creating content on Linux, give Schaller your feedback.
What peripherals and accessories are you using for streaming and podcasting? What’s your opinion of the most popular devices that need better compatibility on Linux?
Here’s how to make a difference:
- If you have a Fedora account, you can add your notes directly to the wiki page.
- Prefer Twitter? Reach out to @cfkschaller.
- If you’re an IRC user, ping ‘cschalle’ on LiberaChat IRC in #fedora-workstation.
- Or you can send him a good old fashioned email: christian.schaller (at) gmail (dot) com
Thanks Linux community. Keep creating and keep contributing!
Honestly, that initiative could use input from people who AREN’T creating content on Linux, just as much as it needs guidance from people who are.
For streamers and creators who use other platforms, what features, tools, or services would Linux need for it to meet your needs better? What areas are most lacking compared to your platform of choice?
If Schaller and crew are seeking to make Linux a viable option for content creators, they need to look at that ENTIRE community, not just the ones already biased towards making do with the tools available to them on Linux.
NVIDIA and Microsoft for better DirectX Support in MESA without binary drivers that do not follow standards.