[Denemo-devel] Your Open Source Notation Software survey: Denemo

[Richard Shann]

Denemo

QUESTIONNAIRE
=============


History
-------

When was the project started?
- 1999

Who started the project?
- Matthew Hiller

When and at which version number was the first public release?
- version 0.1.0 on 12 Jan 2000?

What was the motivation for starting the project?
- no graphical front end was available for LilyPond


Features
--------

Are there specific focus areas the project aims to implement better
than existing notation software?  Please mark just a few primary focus
areas, remove pre-filled marks as needed to emphasize only the most
important ones.

     Publishing quality printing
     Classical music notation
     Complex notation
     Pop music notation
     Contemporary/non-conventional notation

     Easy to use for novice users
     Use in music education
     Children as users

   + Keyboard input
     Mouse input
     Input with MIDI instruments
     Score playback
     WYSIWYG editing
     Transposing
     Music analysis
     Composing tools
     Instrument-specific notation (specify instrument)
     Localization of user interface
     Localization of notation details

     Integration to other software (e.g. desktop environment)
   + Interoperability with other notation software
     Multi-platform support

     Other (specify)

     Input with acoustic instruments (via microphone) 
     Integrated text editor for LilyPond
     Customized LilyPond stored in denemo music file.


What are the strengths of the current version of the software?

 -Input with acoustic instruments (via microphone) 
  -Integrated text editor for LilyPond
  -Customized LilyPond stored in denemo music file.
  - Easily set shortcuts
  - systematic menus

Which deficiencies of the current version might keep some users from
using the software?
- complicated modal user keyboard interface (can be turned off)

What is the roadmap for the project, if any
(versions/features/timeframe)?
- Generating templates for advance LilyPond features (Ossia sections,
repeats, upbeats, centred dynamics in Piano Staff ...), timeframe -
weeks.
- Improving visual feedback.

What other software is designed or suits well to be used together with
your notation software?
- LilyPond, Csound, timidity and other software synths

Which operating system platforms can the software be compiled on?
   + Linux
   + Windows
   + Mac

Which operating systems do you or a third party provide binaries for?

   + Linux (which distributions?)
     - Debian, Fedora, Red Hat, CentOS, Aurora
     Windows (supported versions: current CVS)

     Mac OS X (supported versions?)

Which Linux distributions provide a binary for the software in their
main or community repositories?
- Debian
- Ubuntu
- OpenSUSE
- Mandriva
- PCLinuxOS


Which file formats does the software import and with what limitations?
     MusicXML
   + MIDI
   + LilyPond (very limited/broken, however cut and paste of LilyPond is
possible)

Which file formats does the software export and with what limitations?
     MusicXML
   + LilyPond
   + ABC
   + MIDI
   + Csound
   + PDF (via LilyPond)
   + PostScript (via LilyPond)


Documentation
=============

Which ones of the following types of documentation are comprehensive
and up-to-date with the current version of the software?

     Printed book
     Full manual inside
     +Separate manual file
     On-line documentation
     Tutorials

Which documentation types are eventually going to be provided?

     Printed book
     Full manual inside
     Separate manual file
     On-line documentation
     Tutorials

User Community
==============

Which tools are provided for the user community?
   + Mailing list
     Web forum
     USENET newsgroup
     Wiki pages
     Local meetings
     Participation in events/conferences

How big would you estimate the user base for the software?

     tens / hundreds / thousands / tens of thousands / more

How many users do you estimate participating on mailing lists / forums
/ wiki pages / direct contact / events?

     tens / hundreds / thousands / tens of thousands / more

How would you rate the current user community for your software?

     passive / fairly active / very active


Development
===========

Who are current core developers?
- Richard Shann, Jeremiah Benham and Adam Tee

Which tools are provided for contributors?
   + Mailing list / Forum / USENET newsgroup
   + Code repository
   + Bug/issue tracker
     Wiki pages
     Developer meetings (local or in events/conferences)

How many contributors in addition to the core developers does the
project have?
- 

How difficult would you rate the compiling of the current development
version of the software?
     Linux: easy 
     Windows:  hard 
     Mac OS X: easy / medium / hard / n/a

What kind of contributions would currently be most helpful for the
project?
     +Bug reports
     +Patches
     Translating the software
     Participation in design discussions
     Expertise in a specific area (specify which)
     +Documentation
     Translations of documentation

Does the project have sponsors, or do some of the developers work on
the project as part of their day job? No