Re: Aunt Tillie builds a kernel (was Re: ISA hardware discovery -- the elegant solution)

Eric S. Raymond
2002-01-14T19:02:44Z

Alan Cox <alan@lxorguk.ukuu.org.uk>:
> The goal of a typical end user is "make it work, make it go away and do what
> it did last week". Random mechanics hating car owners don't do engine tuning
> jobs or fit turbochargers.

No...but they do change their own oil and antifreeze. Upgrading your
kernel should be as simple as changing your oil.

> Secondly we've established we can pick the right CPU for the kernel reliably
> that is seperate to modules.

Right, but that doesn't get you a recompiled binary with extended instructions
in it.

> Thirdly building a lot of stuff modular is the right choice anyway - in the
> world of hot plugging and USB Grandma is not going to want to recompile her
> kernel because she bought a new trackball to boost her quake score.

I'm not arguing with building a lot of stuff modular. The autoconfiugurator
does exactly that for hot-plug buses.
--
Eric S. Raymond

"Are we to understand," asked the judge, "that you hold your own interests
above the interests of the public?"

"I hold that such a question can never arise except in a society of cannibals."
-- Ayn Rand