josefJul 24, 2023
i think a lot about how apparently, someone visiting pink floyd's studio in the mid-70s noticed they had several minimoogs set up with gaffer tape all over them, because when they got a sound they liked, they'd put the tape over the knobs so the settings wouldn't get changed, and invoice the record label for another fresh minimoog. i think this is how you're actually supposed to manage python software installations, just buy a new computer every time you finally get the correct packages set up
Show threadjosefJul 24, 2023
before i get the replies, yes the gaffer tape was probably for when they took the synths on tour, and yes i know what virtual environments are
Show threadShambolic MatterJul 25, 2023
@jk I've watched a couple documentaries where folks describe bands doing this with guitar pedals. Even going as far as buying up dozens of spare pedals so that the band would be able to tour indefinitely
Show threadAlex@rtnVFRmedia Suffolk UK
@xorn @jk A BBC issue UHER 4000 reel to reel tape recorder often had the knob of the speed control selector removed and sometimes the shaft physically shortened, to prevent reporters using tape speeds other than 19 cm/s (7,5 in/s), which would cause confusion at editing and playout...
Jul 25, 2023 at 11:24amWeb
Show threadDeterioratedStuccoJul 25, 2023

@vfrmedia @xorn @jk

Feature-swamp. Often an issue with software, IMO: too many options, most of which are not actually used by or useful to most customers.

Show threadAlex@rtnVFRmedia Suffolk UKJul 25, 2023
@SoftwareTheron @xorn @jk to be fair, the UHER 4000 was sold for a variety of use cases including surveillance recordings (which used lower tape speeds) and broadcasters were only a niche market (another solution would be training the reporters to check the tape speed before recording - the difference in reel speed between 9,5 cm/s and 19 cm/s is fairly obvious to anyone who grew up in the analogue days (at least well designed hardware has more physical feedback than software)