Author Topic: QLab 2 not compatible with Mac OS 10.11 "El Capitan"  (Read 6170 times)

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leastlikely

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QLab 2 not compatible with Mac OS 10.11 "El Capitan"
« on: Oct 10, 2015, 11:32 pm »
This may not have a lot of relevance for many of you, but I'm sure I'm not the only one who still uses QLab 2 for some things...

Quote
From: Sam Kusnetz
Date: October 7, 2015 at 11:30:07 AM EDT
To: QLab List
Subject: [QLab] Warning: QLab 2 not compatible with Mac OS 10.11 "El Capitan"

Hello folks

I regret to inform you all that QLab 2 has been found to be incompatible
with Mac OS 10.11, or "El Capitan" as Apple seems to want us to call it.

We do not have any plans to update QLab 2, so please DO NOT upgrade the
OS on computers that are running QLab 2.

Testing so far shows that QLab 3 appears to be compatible with 10.11,
although we have not tested definitively and we're not prepared to shout
it from the mountaintops.

Yours,
Sam and all the folks at Figure 53
--
Sam Kusnetz | Figure 53 Field Operative

iamchristuffin

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Re: QLab 2 not compatible with Mac OS 10.11 "El Capitan"
« Reply #1 on: Oct 11, 2015, 12:29 pm »
El Capitan (and the SDK) have been available to developers for a good few months now haven't they? I don't get why Figure 53 haven't tested at least QLab 3, and released an update to ensure it is compatible!

C

leastlikely

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Re: QLab 2 not compatible with Mac OS 10.11 "El Capitan"
« Reply #2 on: Oct 11, 2015, 04:35 pm »
They have! They released two new updates (3.1.14 and .15) in September.

I think the comment about QLab 3 was just a disclaimer. Like "we're pretty sure it will work, but you may use QLab in an interesting way that we haven't tested yet so there's a slight chance you may find something that doesn't work."

My understanding is that something in the El Capitan update is affecting sound drivers so it could potentially break just about any application that uses sound. They're working on updating 3 so that doesn't happen, but they've dropped support for 2 so they aren't looking at fixing that anymore. But they know that many people still use version 2, so they're just stating up front that if you plan to continue using QLab 2, then you can't update your OS. Or if you update your OS you will need to update your QLab (and also rebuild all your show files from 2 to 3).

iamchristuffin

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Re: QLab 2 not compatible with Mac OS 10.11 "El Capitan"
« Reply #3 on: Oct 11, 2015, 08:00 pm »
Ha, I've just checked my version.... 3.0.5...... I clearly haven't used QLab on this computer in a while!!

KMC

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Re: QLab 2 not compatible with Mac OS 10.11 "El Capitan"
« Reply #4 on: Oct 12, 2015, 09:23 am »
They're working on updating 3 so that doesn't happen, but they've dropped support for 2 so they aren't looking at fixing that anymore. But they know that many people still use version 2, so they're just stating up front that if you plan to continue using QLab 2, then you can't update your OS. Or if you update your OS you will need to update your QLab (and also rebuild all your show files from 2 to 3).

At this point the only uses of Qlab 2 should be existing shows that are already installed.  The "best practice" for an installed system or show control setup is that once the show is open or an installation is complete, functional, and verified is that software on show control machines, operating systems, firmware on devices, etc. should only be updated if there is an extremely good reason.  As soon as you update an OS or firmware, you potentially introduce unknown factors into the show environment.

An ideal QLab setup for most installations would consist of two computers (we usually specify mac mini, but other macs will work too).  One primary machine, and one live backup that runs in parallel with the primary machine.  Once the show is open... don't touch :)
Get action. Do things; be sane; don’t fritter away your time; create, act, take a place wherever you are and be somebody; get action. -T. Roosevelt

leastlikely

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Re: QLab 2 not compatible with Mac OS 10.11 "El Capitan"
« Reply #5 on: Oct 12, 2015, 11:14 am »
Of course. And in an ideal world, none of us would ever have to use our own personal computers to run shows. But sometimes we do, and that's where this could get tricky.

KMC

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Re: QLab 2 not compatible with Mac OS 10.11 "El Capitan"
« Reply #6 on: Oct 12, 2015, 11:24 am »
Of course.  That is such a risky proposition though, running shows with your own personal machine. 

What if your machine is stolen or broken the morning of a show?  What if software you add for other uses causes instability with the machine?  What if your hard drive fails?  What if...?

Setting aside the fact that it's your personal property (not a trivial fact at all), it introduces a significant element of risk for the producing organization.  If a company can't afford the hardware cost to set this up properly, then they really cannot afford to be doing show control.  I get it, most theatres have tiny budgets.  That's OK, not all theatre needs to be technology intensive - but if you're going to go down that path, do it right or don't do it at all.
Get action. Do things; be sane; don’t fritter away your time; create, act, take a place wherever you are and be somebody; get action. -T. Roosevelt

leastlikely

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Re: QLab 2 not compatible with Mac OS 10.11 "El Capitan"
« Reply #7 on: Oct 13, 2015, 12:03 pm »
I'm not disagreeing with you in any way. But alas, what "should be" and what "is" are often two very different things. Sometimes SMs run rehearsal sound on their personal computer before moving to the space. Sometimes SMs or sound ops for very small fringey theatres use personal computers. I was simply posting this as a warning to those who are not operating under ideal circumstances and who may need to take this into consideration before deciding to update or not. :)

KMC

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Re: QLab 2 not compatible with Mac OS 10.11 "El Capitan"
« Reply #8 on: Nov 29, 2015, 12:42 am »
I'm not disagreeing with you in any way. But alas, what "should be" and what "is" are often two very different things. Sometimes SMs run rehearsal sound on their personal computer before moving to the space. Sometimes SMs or sound ops for very small fringey theatres use personal computers. I was simply posting this as a warning to those who are not operating under ideal circumstances and who may need to take this into consideration before deciding to update or not. :)

Indeed - an ideal world and actual circumstances are rarely the same.  So that brings up an interesting point.  Since SMs are mostly 1099 independent contractors and in the eyes of the IRS their own company, do you charge for equipment rental for use of personal property?  If you want to go down the rabbit hole, that is an asset that your company (you) own.  If the theatre is not providing you with that hardware, shouldn't you earn revenue from its use?  Do you factor that in to your daily or weekly rate?

I am gearing up for a large project right now and I will have several independent contractors working for me long term.  In this case I have ordered basic tools (PCs, mobile phones, software licenses) that are required for them to perform their duties. 

It's an interesting topic for discussion.
Get action. Do things; be sane; don’t fritter away your time; create, act, take a place wherever you are and be somebody; get action. -T. Roosevelt

 

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