Web surfing in your DAW

[thagreatmarkskillz]

Do any of you guys surf the web in the same OS that you use for audio work? I hear this is a big no no, but the reason I ask is how are you supposed to register software, download drivers, or even download software? I just got my system up and running really smooth will installing internet software really mess it up?

[pongthrob]

i do with mine. i don't see why it would be an issue other than potential virus issues and similar things. I have my browser set to prompt for any cookies to minimize the amount of stuff that gets placed on the machine. I don't think it's an actual performance issue, unless you're one of those folks that feels the need to strip away Internet Explorer from the OS.

graham

[+Erik+]

its not a big no no, its just recommended to try and keep your partition clean as possible. personally i don't but if you use win 2000 or XP, the internet drivers etc are setup up regardless, so the only thing you are putting on your harddisc is about 30mg of internet cache. i wouldn't worry about it.

[+Erik+]

the only reason i dno't bother is so i don't need a software firewall on my audio system.

[Sonic Valley]

I run a browser and ftp on my system. Often there's times I'm doing audio for a website and it's nice to have the site in one screen and work on the other. Also use ftp for uploading files and whatnot. I do have another daw in the control room that handles editing, mail, flash, all the other stuff.

[Rasputin]

It's a big No No. Seriously though, it depends on the spec of your hardware/os. With modern hardware/os it shouldn't make a difference. Even with older hardware it will only be an issue if you do too many things at the same time.

I gather though, that it;s not this you want to do, so as long as you have a decent firewall (I use a second dedicated linux machine - but I'm greedy, a software firewall is equally good), you shouldn't have any problems.

[Nick Driver]

I surf on my DAW... however I have a DSL line and my DSL router has pretty good firewall functions built in (a Zyxel Presitge 640 router). I also use Trend PC-Cillin antivirus/Internet protection software when surfing the web, but disable this software when using the machine as a DAW. No problems thus far with viruses/worms/trojans and no performance problems either. I do use another machine (Linux) for all my email needs however... since 99% of all Windows viruses are spread by email.

[scatterbrain]

in 2000 and XP you can always just disable your internet connection.

this reduce the need for a soft firewall, just remember to diable the connection when done with the net.

or better yet, get one of those hyome user hardware cable routers...likt the ones by linksys or something.

once i put one up, black ice stopped reporting probes.

[TimOBrien]

I probably wouldn't hook up an "always-on" DSL or cable modem to my DAW, but I'm surfing here using dial-up with zero problems.

I'll be moving soon and getting a broadband connection but at that point I'll use a separate PC so that I can keep out any potential problems from my DAW.

[thagreatmarkskillz]

Thanks for the tips fellas, can an intruder hack into your DSL even when your not surfing the web?

[+Erik+]

techinically, yes. Your connection is maintained even though you are not surfing.

[raoulduke]

I just wantto crow a little here (I'll pay for the bad karma later, I'm sure) and say that I run ICQ, Outlook mail, and surf through a broadband connection (Sprint fixed-wireless) WHILE working on tracks. No problems so far running ****loads of Waves plugins and 24 tracks of audio.

Win2000
500meg RAM
1.8 gig PIV
120gig Maxtor RAID array
Sonar 2.1 XL

[LeoIX]

My DAW is hooked up through a linksys usb phoneline hub to my wife's PC which has the router/cable modem/NIC attached. The Home Portal router has a built-in hardware firewall. I set my PC so that when I reboot, it doesn't load the Internet software so I can use the DAW without being "signed in." I would hate to not being able to download program updates, Nord patches, etc. That probably is a good idea about not checking email on the DAW. Virus software can be a real pain.

[diminished]

I do have a network between the 4 computers,2 lap.2 desks.and they are all networked.and once you network the comps.you can do (user specified)on your daw the way you want it,and make sure the daw dosnt share any with any other computers.thats one senario.
you can have a separate laptop or desktop for surfing and anything else for.and most downloads for updates,you can download it on a laptop or desktop burn it on cd or use the network for data transfer.eccept for some like microsoft you have to download to that perticular comp,i guess because of copy protection may be,and i am sure some have figured a way to make things easy.this would be another senario.
in my case,i only use the daw for studio period(that is if we can afford other pc's).imo,if you use your daw+surfing,imagine all the cookies and junk you pile up,not to mention viruses that you will be hit with sooner or later.
SO,my point?if,you can afford to stay daw use only,its the way to go.because for updates there are a lot of other ways to do it without using the daw for the internet etc..and...there are a lot of other reasons to use the daw only for recording(studio)use,not just internet.

[Enlightend]

you can get a net-worthy Pc for absolute dirt-cheap these days(when I say 'net-worthy', I include the old timer I'm on). Like Diminished said you can burn to CD and transfer. By using a separate system for the web, you render all hackers and spies basically impotent, they cannot hack or spy on(or steal) something that is not there. Well I guess they could see what pages you visit, so get one of those history-cleaners etc programs....


[This message has been edited by Enlightend (edited 12-13-2002).]

[raindog]

Its kinda ironical how the general rule of thumb around audio forums is to be anti web on the DAW, when obviously all the major audio software/hardware companies are including rocket network connections in their apps (steinberg, emagic,protools and Sadie -and to come are Euphonix, DSP Media, MOTU, Waveframe). Its good to hear from DAW guys who are connected via their DAW, as I plan to look into rocket a bit more in future.

[diminished]

RAINDOG,i think you are missing the point here.
first of all,no one is anti and the subject is not about antiism.lol
what you are describing if i get you right,is about business corps.
but we are taliking about keeping the daw as clean and as optimized as possible,its a problem to do that as it is.that is if you are serious about your production instead of a hoby lets say.
a studio owner can not be compared to a business corporation who has gazillions of dollars to mess with for whatever business is it they do.
i have the feeling you have not set up a daw yet or may be you do it for whatever reasons,hoby or what have you.
its not just the internet,but no other junk files either.in anotherwords,whatever it is essential for the daw only,and nothing else.if we are to think a stable and lean machine.

[+Erik.+]

to be frank for Win 98 you could optimise your system by not install tcp and all the other network **** required to use the net. So this was an optimisation.

As Win 2000 and XP installs all this stuff regardless of if you use the net or not, the only thing surfing the net will do is put more temp files in your internet folder (100mb, no big deal) and decrease "security". again, how big a problem security on the net is to a home user is variable.

also the fact most software requires on line registration to activate it i see no big deal in using the net in my daw.

[raindog]

DIMINISHED - no need to yell mate, I hear ya http://www.audioforums.com/forums/smile.gif
The use of the word "antiweb" may have been the wrong choice. BUT if you do check around the various forums you will find more often than not, that the advice is to steer clear of using the DAW for anything but audio work. Obviously this is all in the name of optimising the PC. But I thought it was IRONICAL (they do have irony where you come from don't they??) that the software companies who make the software that we are using on our DAWs,which we are trying to optimise - are adding web connections to the rocket network.

P.S Making music is a hobby for me. My fulltime job is graphic design/web/ multimedia production

P.S.S Your attitude about "Pros" being more serious about their DAWS than us "hobbyist" is misguided.
I spend all of my available spare time & cash doing this out of the pure love of creating art. If some money comes my way from it great.But the point is "I take it all seriously becuase its an expensive hobby" not something I get paid for. Not sure how you gleaned these insights from reading my earlier post...

P.S.S.S this is fun but its costing my boss money-I'm going back to work
ciao

[diminished]

NO intention of yelling mate.lol.
THE software is not the main discussion,its about whether we should use the daw(which combines the computer and the software etc.) with the internet?
THE MAIN GOAL IS,if you care about your work as a semi pro or a pro,which dedicates a lot of creativity and time spent in this uniqe business,as to make sure you dont loose your precious production,investment whether its time,financial or creativity.
SURE ,you can use the internet with a daw,but if you want to be safe,stable,lean and free of problems to come?than dedicate the daw for that purpose.most of us can afford it since you can have pc's dirt cheap nowdays.so,genraly there is no excuse anymore.
sure,you have to use your daw on a unique occasion to get on the web for whatever reasons,but the difference between that brief moment and the general use of internet with the daw is slim to catch a cold.
BTW,i am not yellig or angry or any.its a free world.but the consiquences between hoby and pro in this business could spell disaster.
peace.

[Enlightend]

Originally posted by diminished:
sure,you have to use your daw on a unique occasion to get on the web for whatever reasons,but the difference between that brief moment and the general use of internet with the daw is slim to catch a cold.


I think that would be very lame if companies did that, as if everyone does/should have internet.

Call me a purist, but I intend to have a net-free machine. I also don't see anything extravagant about ordering update cds etc from companies directly.

If you want to make sure that no one can pick your lock while you sleep at night, the best thing to do is put a lock on the door that can only be opened from the inside. You don't have to worry about it, because there is no cause for concern. Some people happen to value such things.

[recat]

Enlightened, the only problem I see with ordering update cd's, is keeping up with the pace of the updates.unless you plan on only using stable mature software.I am not experienced but they seem to be using more zeros in the update patch versions.I haven't moved to XP yet. I do have enough trouble trying to get things to stop running in the background. One thing In trouble shooting ME in mscongig doing clean boot. I got a grayed out check.That means your systems isn't booting clean though you erased all checks. They tell you to see your software maker.It is probably Microsoft and probably something that lives in IE. I know ME got to go.

[Alan]

Originally posted by thagreatmarkskillz:
how are you supposed to register software, download drivers, or even download software?
Whenever I upgrade to a new DAW PC,my old one get's demoted to internet duties( http://www.audioforums.com/forums/biggrin.gif) and I have them side by side,I also have CDRW's in both so whenever I download updates,I just copy & paste it on the internet PC and just take the disk to to the DAW PC.I like having no explorer in my DAW and nothing but music apps.You can partition your OS drive and seperate thigs that way as well.

[bibleboy3]

Hi All,
Since we're all talking about firewalls and DAW stuff here's a question...

the whole house is networked 3 pc's and
1 mac. the only way the pc's can open hotmail or yahoo mail is if they're plugged directly into the DSL line if they're plugged into the router they can't access either one. but yet the mac is un-affected by this. whats up with that?? and PLEASE!! don't let this turn into a pc vs mac debate!! BTW my pc also doubles as my DAW for now.. thanx in advance for the help http://www.audioforums.com/forums/wink.gif


May Jesus bless you all
Sincerely,
Bill

[ethereal1]

Originally posted by bibleboy3:
Hi All,
Since we're all talking about firewalls and DAW stuff here's a question...

the whole house is networked 3 pc's and
1 mac. the only way the pc's can open hotmail or yahoo mail is if they're plugged directly into the DSL line if they're plugged into the router they can't access either one. but yet the mac is un-affected by this. whats up with that??


Bill, my guess would be that the mac has gotten some way of getting an IP address through the router, and the PCs have not. This is why the mac can surf no matter what, and the PCs can't. Did you add your router after setting up your DSL line? That might be part of the problem. Hopefully that's of some help...

Eric

[bibleboy3]

Hi Eric,
The weird thing about this problem that I left out (forgot) was that all pc's and the mac can surf the web just fine. the only catch is that the pc's can't get into hotmail or yahoo mail but the mac can get into hotmail and yahoo mail just fine.. BTW thanx http://www.audioforums.com/forums/wink.gif for taking the time to reply to my post


May Jesus bless you
Sincerely,
Bill

[bibleboy3]

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