ProTools vs. Ardour. Why spend the money 798

I have no idea about sound and sound editing or the tools available under Linux, but the rant below has nothing to do with that.

Linux also just runs and runs ( my server is up for months to years at a time-- primarily upgrading the OS is when it goes down-- and it is busy with my scientific work). Is it a pain at times, Yes, all operating systems are. Have I worried about viruses etc.? No. Is it behind a firewall? No. Should it be? Probably, but... Ie there is a whole raft of worries about an MS machine I do not have. That is worth time.

When I need to install security updates do I need to reboot constantly? No. IF I replace the kernel, I do, otherwise not.

If you want to mirror your harddrive, buy a second disk and use rsync to copy the first over to the second, and every night run a little one line script to keep the second up to date with the first. If you worry about your stuff getting destoyed when the terorists plant your building, put that second disk into a computer across town and do it to there over the net.

What is the "wrong Linux" Each is almost completely interoperable with the other. They are after all based on the same kernel, the same glibc, etc. Ie, If your particular brand disappears, grab the next one. It will have differences, yes, but all your files will work. No proprietary standards as the company you chose goes bust and you have to throw away the last 10 years of work since nothing else can read the files.

The choice is of course yours.