At times I am involved with computer generated music using MIDI.

To create such music, a "soundfont" is required, and many soundfonts
are distributed as compressed SF2 format files.

To uncompress these files there are only two utilities available
(both Windoze):

sfArk: ????

SFPack: http://www.personalcopy.com/bigsounds.html

Fortunately, the SFPack decompressor is still available although
it is no longer (since 2007) being maintained.

Good luck finding an sfArk decompressor, however. Unless one had
acquired the file a long time ago it no longer can be found on the Web.

Fortunately (but perhaps not), a GNU/Linux version of the sfArk
decompressor is found here:

https://github.com/raboof/sfarkxtc

Unfortunately, this FOSS version is for sfArk version 2 and
a LOT of soundfonts exist as version 1.

I have Windoze copies of both sfArk and SFPack but how long these
will be able to execute is uncertain. Thus, collections of SF2
soundfonts everywhere will become FUBAR.

This is just one small, but highly important, example of why
all software should be open source. As long as the source code
is available somewhere there will be no obsolescence.

--
Systemd: solving all the problems that you never knew you had.

Lester Thorpe <lt@gnu.rocks> wrote:

>At times I am involved with computer generated music using MIDI.
>
>To create such music, a "soundfont" is required, and many soundfonts
>are distributed as compressed SF2 format files.
>
>To uncompress these files there are only two utilities available
>(both Windoze):
>
>sfArk: ????
>
>SFPack: http://www.personalcopy.com/bigsounds.html
>
>Fortunately, the SFPack decompressor is still available although
>it is no longer (since 2007) being maintained.
>
>Good luck finding an sfArk decompressor, however. Unless one had
>acquired the file a long time ago it no longer can be found on the Web.
>
>Fortunately (but perhaps not), a GNU/Linux version of the sfArk
>decompressor is found here:
>
>https://github.com/raboof/sfarkxtc
>
>Unfortunately, this FOSS version is for sfArk version 2 and
>a LOT of soundfonts exist as version 1.
>
>I have Windoze copies of both sfArk and SFPack but how long these
>will be able to execute is uncertain. Thus, collections of SF2
>soundfonts everywhere will become FUBAR.
>
>This is just one small, but highly important, example of why
>all software should be open source. As long as the source code
>is available somewhere there will be no obsolescence.

So, basically, your computer is a Tinkertoy system, you're a fucking
weirdo. Linux from scratch? More like Linux *without* anything
useful. Dumbass.

--
Joel W. Crump

Amendment XIV
Section 1.

[...] No state shall make or enforce any law which shall
abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the
United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of
life, liberty, or property, without due process of law;
nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal
protection of the laws.

Dobbs rewrites this, it is invalid precedent. States are
liable for denying needed abortions, e.g. TX.

On 10/10/2024 15:35, Joel wrote:
> Lester Thorpe <lt@gnu.rocks> wrote:
>
>> At times I am involved with computer generated music using MIDI.
>>
>> To create such music, a "soundfont" is required, and many soundfonts
>> are distributed as compressed SF2 format files.
>>
>> To uncompress these files there are only two utilities available
>> (both Windoze):
>>
>> sfArk: ????
>>
>> SFPack: http://www.personalcopy.com/bigsounds.html
>>
>> Fortunately, the SFPack decompressor is still available although
>> it is no longer (since 2007) being maintained.
>>
>> Good luck finding an sfArk decompressor, however. Unless one had
>> acquired the file a long time ago it no longer can be found on the Web.
>>
>> Fortunately (but perhaps not), a GNU/Linux version of the sfArk
>> decompressor is found here:
>>
>> https://github.com/raboof/sfarkxtc
>>
>> Unfortunately, this FOSS version is for sfArk version 2 and
>> a LOT of soundfonts exist as version 1.
>>
>> I have Windoze copies of both sfArk and SFPack but how long these
>> will be able to execute is uncertain. Thus, collections of SF2
>> soundfonts everywhere will become FUBAR.
>>
>> This is just one small, but highly important, example of why
>> all software should be open source. As long as the source code
>> is available somewhere there will be no obsolescence.
>
>
> So, basically, your computer is a Tinkertoy system, you're a fucking
> weirdo. Linux from scratch? More like Linux *without* anything
> useful. Dumbass.
>

Wow, Joel.. You must be a fun person to deal with. I feel sorry for your
supervisor.

I get your pain Lester. I still have a working radio flyer that uses a
very stripped down Linux kernel and some software from the 90's. The
software has to be installed through a firmware tool and it's harder to
use today on new hardware. If the software was open source it'd be
possible to update it for modern systems. Unfortunately it's not, so I
have to keep some older hardware just so I can run the firmware tool
when I decide to add new maps to it.

--
Phillip Frabott
----------
- Adam: Is a void really a void if it returns?
- Jack: No, it's just nullspace at that point.
----------

Phillip Frabott <nntp@fulltermprivacy.com> wrote:
>On 10/10/2024 15:35, Joel wrote:
>> Lester Thorpe <lt@gnu.rocks> wrote:
>>
>>> At times I am involved with computer generated music using MIDI.
>>>
>>> To create such music, a "soundfont" is required, and many soundfonts
>>> are distributed as compressed SF2 format files.
>>>
>>> To uncompress these files there are only two utilities available
>>> (both Windoze):
>>>
>>> sfArk: ????
>>>
>>> SFPack: http://www.personalcopy.com/bigsounds.html
>>>
>>> Fortunately, the SFPack decompressor is still available although
>>> it is no longer (since 2007) being maintained.
>>>
>>> Good luck finding an sfArk decompressor, however. Unless one had
>>> acquired the file a long time ago it no longer can be found on the Web.
>>>
>>> Fortunately (but perhaps not), a GNU/Linux version of the sfArk
>>> decompressor is found here:
>>>
>>> https://github.com/raboof/sfarkxtc
>>>
>>> Unfortunately, this FOSS version is for sfArk version 2 and
>>> a LOT of soundfonts exist as version 1.
>>>
>>> I have Windoze copies of both sfArk and SFPack but how long these
>>> will be able to execute is uncertain. Thus, collections of SF2
>>> soundfonts everywhere will become FUBAR.
>>>
>>> This is just one small, but highly important, example of why
>>> all software should be open source. As long as the source code
>>> is available somewhere there will be no obsolescence.
>>
>> So, basically, your computer is a Tinkertoy system, you're a fucking
>> weirdo. Linux from scratch? More like Linux *without* anything
>> useful. Dumbass.
>
>Wow, Joel.. You must be a fun person to deal with. I feel sorry for your
>supervisor.

Larry gets no sympathy, when he talks smack about my use of openSUSE.

>I get your pain Lester. I still have a working radio flyer that uses a
>very stripped down Linux kernel and some software from the 90's. The
>software has to be installed through a firmware tool and it's harder to
>use today on new hardware. If the software was open source it'd be
>possible to update it for modern systems. Unfortunately it's not, so I
>have to keep some older hardware just so I can run the firmware tool
>when I decide to add new maps to it.

Interesting.

--
Joel W. Crump

Amendment XIV
Section 1.

[...] No state shall make or enforce any law which shall
abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the
United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of
life, liberty, or property, without due process of law;
nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal
protection of the laws.

Dobbs rewrites this, it is invalid precedent. States are
liable for denying needed abortions, e.g. TX.

bad sector <forgetski@_INVALID.net> wrote:
>On 10/10/24 15:25, Lester Thorpe wrote:
>
>> At times I am involved with computer generated music using MIDI.
>>
>> To create such music, a "soundfont" is required, and many soundfonts
>> are distributed as compressed SF2 format files.
>>
>> To uncompress these files there are only two utilities available
>> (both Windoze):
>>
>> sfArk: ????
>>
>> SFPack: http://www.personalcopy.com/bigsounds.html
>>
>> Fortunately, the SFPack decompressor is still available although
>> it is no longer (since 2007) being maintained.
>>
>> Good luck finding an sfArk decompressor, however. Unless one had
>> acquired the file a long time ago it no longer can be found on the Web.
>>
>> Fortunately (but perhaps not), a GNU/Linux version of the sfArk
>> decompressor is found here:
>>
>> https://github.com/raboof/sfarkxtc
>>
>> Unfortunately, this FOSS version is for sfArk version 2 and
>> a LOT of soundfonts exist as version 1.
>>
>> I have Windoze copies of both sfArk and SFPack but how long these
>> will be able to execute is uncertain. Thus, collections of SF2
>> soundfonts everywhere will become FUBAR.
>>
>> This is just one small, but highly important, example of why
>> all software should be open source. As long as the source code
>> is available somewhere there will be no obsolescence.
>
>The survival of society cannot be left to bean-counters so anything that
>is essential infrastructure should be cost + $1 if not free (state run
>in other words). Just where what parts of computing or IT would fit in
>there I'll leave to others but schools should definitely teach Linux
>instead of how to boot dumbdose screaming "look ma' no hands". Once you
>get the basic skills into the public at large you get the rest too.

You think so?

--
Joel W. Crump

Amendment XIV
Section 1.

[...] No state shall make or enforce any law which shall
abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the
United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of
life, liberty, or property, without due process of law;
nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal
protection of the laws.

Dobbs rewrites this, it is invalid precedent. States are
liable for denying needed abortions, e.g. TX.

On 10/10/24 16:39, Joel wrote:
> bad sector <forgetski@_INVALID.net> wrote:
>> On 10/10/24 15:25, Lester Thorpe wrote:
>>
>>> At times I am involved with computer generated music using MIDI.
>>>
>>> To create such music, a "soundfont" is required, and many soundfonts
>>> are distributed as compressed SF2 format files.
>>>
>>> To uncompress these files there are only two utilities available
>>> (both Windoze):
>>>
>>> sfArk: ????
>>>
>>> SFPack: http://www.personalcopy.com/bigsounds.html
>>>
>>> Fortunately, the SFPack decompressor is still available although
>>> it is no longer (since 2007) being maintained.
>>>
>>> Good luck finding an sfArk decompressor, however. Unless one had
>>> acquired the file a long time ago it no longer can be found on the Web.
>>>
>>> Fortunately (but perhaps not), a GNU/Linux version of the sfArk
>>> decompressor is found here:
>>>
>>> https://github.com/raboof/sfarkxtc
>>>
>>> Unfortunately, this FOSS version is for sfArk version 2 and
>>> a LOT of soundfonts exist as version 1.
>>>
>>> I have Windoze copies of both sfArk and SFPack but how long these
>>> will be able to execute is uncertain. Thus, collections of SF2
>>> soundfonts everywhere will become FUBAR.
>>>
>>> This is just one small, but highly important, example of why
>>> all software should be open source. As long as the source code
>>> is available somewhere there will be no obsolescence.
>>
>> The survival of society cannot be left to bean-counters so anything that
>> is essential infrastructure should be cost + $1 if not free (state run
>> in other words). Just where what parts of computing or IT would fit in
>> there I'll leave to others but schools should definitely teach Linux
>> instead of how to boot dumbdose screaming "look ma' no hands". Once you
>> get the basic skills into the public at large you get the rest too.
>
>
> You think so?

France has been showing the way for 20 years although I don't know
exactly how far they got, haven't been following. But I do know that the
US and Canada got NOWHERE, they are OWNED by the Googles and Zukerboogers.

rbowman <bowman@montana.com> wrote:
>On Thu, 10 Oct 2024 16:25:47 -0400, bad sector wrote:
>
>> The survival of society cannot be left to bean-counters so anything that
>> is essential infrastructure should be cost + $1 if not free (state run
>> in other words).
>
>That would presume a much more effective state; the current ones couldn't
>run a church picnic. Where they probably could rise to effectiveness is in
>censoring anything that doesn't have the state's seal of approval.
>
>I won't even go into how the state provides 'free' gibs by picking the
>pockets of its citizens at implied gunpoint.

Give Rush Limbaugh the presidential medal of freedom!!!

--
Joel W. Crump

Amendment XIV
Section 1.

[...] No state shall make or enforce any law which shall
abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the
United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of
life, liberty, or property, without due process of law;
nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal
protection of the laws.

Dobbs rewrites this, it is invalid precedent. States are
liable for denying needed abortions, e.g. TX.

On Thu, 10 Oct 2024 17:21:41 -0400, Joel wrote:

> rbowman <bowman@montana.com> wrote:
>>On Thu, 10 Oct 2024 16:25:47 -0400, bad sector wrote:
>>
>>> The survival of society cannot be left to bean-counters so anything
>>> that is essential infrastructure should be cost + $1 if not free
>>> (state run in other words).
>>
>>That would presume a much more effective state; the current ones
>>couldn't run a church picnic. Where they probably could rise to
>>effectiveness is in censoring anything that doesn't have the state's
>>seal of approval.
>>
>>I won't even go into how the state provides 'free' gibs by picking the
>>pockets of its citizens at implied gunpoint.
>
>
> Give Rush Limbaugh the presidential medal of freedom!!!

Have to dig him up first... My ex used to listen to his, show which is a
bit odd for a college educated woman living in NYC, but I was never
impressed. He did have good taste in his opening music though; it must
have chafed his ass the Chrissie Hynde donated the royalties from his use
to PETA.

rbowman wrote this copyrighted missive and expects royalties:

> On Thu, 10 Oct 2024 17:21:41 -0400, Joel wrote:
>
>> rbowman <bowman@montana.com> wrote:
>>>On Thu, 10 Oct 2024 16:25:47 -0400, bad sector wrote:
>>>
>>>> The survival of society cannot be left to bean-counters so anything
>>>> that is essential infrastructure should be cost + $1 if not free
>>>> (state run in other words).
>>>
>>>That would presume a much more effective state; the current ones
>>>couldn't run a church picnic. Where they probably could rise to
>>>effectiveness is in censoring anything that doesn't have the state's
>>>seal of approval.
>>>
>>>I won't even go into how the state provides 'free' gibs by picking the
>>>pockets of its citizens at implied gunpoint.
>>
>> Give Rush Limbaugh the presidential medal of freedom!!!
>
> Have to dig him up first... My ex used to listen to his, show which is a
> bit odd for a college educated woman living in NYC, but I was never
> impressed. He did have good taste in his opening music though; it must
> have chafed his ass the Chrissie Hynde donated the royalties from his use
> to PETA.

Although off-topic, I will note that once had to work all day on software and
such in a mockup of an ATC radar room. The geezer who ran the lab was a decent
fellow, but he always had Rush on the radio, bellowing and bloviating.

Then after Rush was some other wack-wing talk show.

Around that time there was a left-wing talk show, not quite as loud and
bigoted.

Then on the drive in I used to listen to that curmudgeon Don Imus, which was
sometimes amusing. One example, "The Dick Scope" where the ghost of Richard
Nixon would deliver his foul-mouthed take on current events. Another was
"Beavis and Bubba" (Bubba being Bill Clinton). My favorite Imus neologism?
"Pantload".

--
Telephone books are like dictionaries -- if you know the answer before
you look it up, you can eventually reaffirm what you thought you knew
but weren't sure. But if you're searching for something you don't
already know, your fingers could walk themselves to death. -- Erma Bombeck

On Fri, 11 Oct 2024 10:38:52 -0000 (UTC), Borax Man wrote:

>
> I think I have an old version of sfArk for Linux somewhere, I'll dig it
> out, see if it is the version for version 1.
>

Could it be the one discussed here:

https://linuxmusicians.com/viewtopic.php?t=9854

If so, it has been superseded by the raboof version at github
mentioned in my original post.

However, the above link describes in considerable detail the
appalling incompetence of the sfArk programmers and likely
also reveals why all commercial software is kept so secret.
It is a very good read.

--
Systemd: solving all the problems that you never knew you had.

On Fri, 11 Oct 2024 14:46:44 -0000 (UTC), Joe Beanfish wrote:

>
> In many cases you need a full archaic system, not just one package, due
> to 29 cross dependencies on specific versions of libraries, compilers,
> and other tools.
>

It's much less for a command-line program which may only have
a need for libz.

For GUI programs, forget it.

>
> Documenting the file formats is more important and I
> guess the original software could serve as that.
>

The original creators of the sfArk format was Melody
Machine. They were a commercial company that produced
a definitely superior (although some might not agree --
see my other post) compression algorithm for SF2 soundfonts.
Many, many soundfonts were/are distributed as sfArk
files.

But Melody Machine went out of business and as a result
their code sank with them, never to be recovered.

Some have reversed engineered the original code (see my
previous post), but all that is beside the point.

The point is that all proprietary code has the same risk
of going down if the company that produced it fails.
Therefore, companies should make their code open-source
lest it leave countless users in the lurch.

>
> But eventually your
> 8-track tape collection just won't have anything to play it and it's
> time to migrate and move on.
>

I have decompressed all of my sfARC/sfPack to SF2 files a while ago
when I realized that sfArk/sfPack were dead.

But, again, that is not the point.

This situation will occur over and over unless companies open-source
their code for the sake of longevity.

--
Systemd: solving all the problems that you never knew you had.