Open Sound System

The Open Sound System (OSS) is an interface for making and capturing sound in Unix or Unix-like operating systems. It is based on standard Unix devices (i.e. POSIX read, write, ioctl, etc.). The term also sometimes refers to the software in a Unix kernel that provides the OSS interface; it can be thought of as a device driver, or a collection of device drivers for sound controller hardware. The goal of OSS is to allow the writing of sound-based applications that are agnostic of the underlying sound hardware.

OSS was created in 1992 by Hannu Savolainen and is available in 11 major Unix-like operating systems. OSS is distributed under four license options, three of which are free software licences, thus making OSS free software.

Read more about Open Sound System:  API, Free, Proprietary, Free, Other Implementations, OSS/3D, OSS in Relation To ALSA

Famous quotes containing the words open, sound and/or system:

    That way of inspiration
    is always open,
    and open to everyone;
    it acts as go-between, interpreter,
    it explains symbols of the past
    in to-day’s imagery.
    Hilda Doolittle (1886–1961)

    Chippenhook was the home of Judge Theophilus Harrington, known for his trenchant reply to an irate slave-owner in a runaway slave case. Judge Harrington declared that the owner’s claim to the slave was defective. The owner indignantly demanded to know what was lacking in his legally sound claim. The Judge exploded, ‘A bill of sale, sir, from God Almighty!’
    —For the State of Vermont, U.S. public relief program (1935-1943)

    I need not say what match I would touch, what system endeavor to blow up; but as I love my life, I would side with the light, and let the dark earth roll from under me, calling my mother and my brother to follow.
    Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)