Interesting news that Tracktion and Bitwig Studio have released Linux versions ...
 
http://cdm.link/2015/05/free-version-linux-support-cool-new-things-tracktion-daw/
 
http://cdm.link/2015/10/b...daw-you-can-use-today/
 
I'm not sure that running Windows apps under Linux with Wine is the answer for average consumers, but native apps is another thing ... provided some support issues are considered, like providing a live Linux (with installer) that is optimized for such purposes, with tested and approved hardware and drivers. I'm still wondering where the business case is, but there seems to be some movement lately in the Linux direction by a few ...
 
And consider that Microsoft recently announced Linux in Windows ...
https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/commandline/2016/04/06/bash-on-ubuntu-on-windows-download-now-3/
 
also .NET Distribution for Linux ...
https://techcrunch.com/2015/04/29/microsoft-launches-its-net-distribution-for-linux-and-mac/
 
So some crossover does eventually look inevitable. Will Microsoft lead the way?

tlw
MS lead the way?

Hardly. OS X is a Gnu/Unix-based operating system (based round a BSD distribution) and has been around for years. The catch is that to run it you do need the approved hardware, which isn't exactly cheap and has only one supplier.

I wonder if the announced OS X Sonar might make it possible to more easily develop a native Linux version. Much would depend on how easily and quickly an OS X build could be adapted for a different gui to Apple's Aqua I guess.

Mind you, MS do seem more non-MS friendly now than back when they decided to release Windows for Workgroups, the first Windows with built-in networking, without tcp/ip support because Bill hoped MS Netbeui would become the standard. Or Outlook Express, free with every copy of Windows, which ignored or broke most email standards to the extent that not even Outlook could understand some of what it sent.

Now all we need is for MS to rip the NT guts out of Windows and replace it with a Linux kernel, LOL!!!
 
Sort of like what Apple did a few years ago when they left the legacy MacOS behind and migrated to the the UNIX-like MacOSX.
 
Microsoft seems to be slowly losing it's desktop monopoly, as market share migrates to new technology.  So maybe the writing is on the wall for them to adapt to survive.
 
OT: Because I'm not sure yet who will be affected the most by this, but another game changer is clearly underway.  I just read that Chromebooks outsold Macs during the first quarter of this year, and soon will have access to the millions of apps in the Google Play store.
https://www.wired.com/201...ansform-laptop-design/

IMHO Apple and Mac software support by hardware manufacturers is far ahead of all others, based on the following facts:
 
1. TB: Many new HW interfaces use Thunderbolt. (e.g Clarett range) Windows and Linux are far away from support. Windows has  promised it for years but only will support from TB3. TB3 has been there for a while, still no Windows supports. Radio silence  from MS. Desktop Motherboard support for  TB3 is still very early, on Mac it's there for long.  Microsoft is rapidly sliding backwards  from a hardware support point of view.
 
2. AVB: No Linux support in sight. Manufacturers (MOTU) decided to write their own Windows drivers. No Windows support. All new Macs support AVB Ethernet on board. No PC Mobo's yet with this interfaces. You need to be familiar to identify if  it  supports all AVB requirements or not, and PC Mobo manufacturer don't list this in their specs.
 
3. USB, Roland (AIRA) and other manufacturers Synths USB audio interfaces are not USB Audio compliant, so they won't run on  Linux. Now THAT is an artificially created problem and a real shame on the manufacturers.
 
4. Mobile: Many Mobile apps for Mac,Windows and Linux don't cover these platforms much for audio. Look at Ableton live Link support, iOS only, No android. Android audio hardware  support is behind. (only Android 6 supports audio interfaces which  are USB audio compliant, Sorry for Roland (see item 3 above)
 
Audio interface Aggregation, I am not clear on where this stands on all the OSes, but if you are many USB hardware interfaces (e.g. 6 Roland  boutique synths with (non standard) USB audio and TB , AVB as well, ow can these audio channels be aggregated in hardware/software so that you only need to deal with one interface in the DAW ?
 
Jack has just become available to Windows.  There are plans by Steinberg to port the VST SDK to Linux, then it's just up to Hosts to support it. LV2 allows to port code to Windows and Mac (Check x42's free plugins). Bitwig with Focusrite Scarlett interface (e.g. 18i20) works out of the box with Jack  (qjackctrl) on Ubuntu. (Assuming FR can be labeled as being professional this is a professional solution) , even you can play your desktop audio on the audio interface outputs using the Jack ALSA bridge.
Linux audio and MIDI timing (with Jack) is said to be much better and stable than on Windows. (also MIDI clock wise). Connecting MIDI interfaces and devices from the desktop (ALSA/qjacktrl) is much easier on Linux than all the hassle and limitations on Windows. With Carla audio routing and lots of free LV2 plugins there is a lot of sound creativity possible.  Hope LV2 support will come Windows host as well. (The Carla host runs LV2 plugins on Linux, Windows and Macs ). Lot's of work on MS and Linux hand to catch up, if ever.
 
I don't use a Mac though.

I am thinking a Calkwalk OS is a great idea.  It would also be helpful for a "box"/console idea.  Linux will run on almost anything. This is a great boon to programmers looking to port to whatever system they want, including their own.
 
The problem really is the driver and VST availability. The Linux kernel (the part that Linux Torvalds contrubutes) already has "binary blobs". This  allows vendors to insert their drivers without actually revealing there source code/how the device works. Persuading the vendors/creators to make a blob to include in a Linux distro will probably involve $$$. The beauty of GPL is that a commercial software maker can add code to  GNU/Linux,  keep it proprietary, and sell it. MAC, Playstation 3,  Playstation 4, and Android all have *NIX code in them (FreeBSD or Linux).  Proof that free software and commercial software can coexist peacefully.
 
It's possible, and I believe that it would greatly aid the Sonar community, and Cakewalk as well.  
 
There are some great resources and ideas posted here. I didn't know about reaper and other software mentioned. I have tracktion for Linux, it is cool and a great DAW.  Sonar is definitely my favorite.
 
I love music!
:)
 
 

Wow , yes you have my vote GREAT IDEA !