Re: my plan for Multiboot 2

[Robert Millan <rmh@aybabtu.com>]

On Wed, Dec 09, 2009 at 10:51:03PM +0100, Vladimir 'φ-coder/phcoder' Serbinenko wrote:
> Robert Millan wrote:
> > Hi,
> >
> > We have an obvious problem with the Multiboot 2 loader:  It's in
> > severe bitrot.  Nobody complains because nobody uses it, which is
> > understandable given that nobody programs for MB2, because it's not
> > ready (both in spec and in implementation), and we don't improve it
> > because nobody complains, etc.  You get the point :-)
> >
> > I think the approach that was taken has proven wrong.  It might have
> > worked with more manpower, but our time resources are scarce and we have
> > other priorities.  In my opinion, as things stand now it is best if
> > Multiboot 2 is developed by piggybacking on Multiboot 1 rather than as an
> > isolated effort.  This idea is twofold: both in spec and in implementation.
> >
> >   
> Do you plan on removing multiboot2 loader from grub2 and marking
> multiboot2 draft as abandonded?

I don't know.  Do you think this would be necessary?  I was thinking we could
gradually replace it in parallel, but I'm open to ideas/suggestions.

> I think cpu-independency should come after possible incompatible changes
> since if we bring bad but compatible decision to non-x86 then it will be
> difficult to eradicate.

I don't understand very well;  could you give an example of problematic
situation?

-- 
Robert Millan

  The DRM opt-in fallacy: "Your data belongs to us. We will decide when (and
  how) you may access your data; but nobody's threatening your freedom: we
  still allow you to remove your data and not access it at all."