Messages in this thread |  | | | Date | Mon, 3 Jun 1996 02:33:01 -0700 (PDT) | | From | "Jon M. Taylor" <> | | Subject | Re: SVGA kernel chipset drivers. |
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On Mon, 3 Jun 1996, Linus Torvalds wrote:
> > On Sun, 2 Jun 1996, Marcus Meissner wrote: > > > > > Maybe this is silly and there exist services that do exactly this, in > > > > userspace, in a safe way, and as fast as a kernel trap. Sorry if so, > > > > but i think many people dont see the way out [the GGI people for > > > > example]. > > > > > > You can just use another selector/segment instead of the default > > > datasegment just as WINE does? Ok, will only work on i386 and friends. > > > ... (See modify_ldt system call.) > > > > Which is no good. Linux should be as cross-platform as possible, > > right? Then we need a uniform graphics API. > > Are you really that dense?
Calm down. This isn't imporant enough of an isse
> We HAVE a uniform graphics API already. It's called X.
X is a GUI. A graphics API does things like individual pixel writes, line- and shape-drawing primtives, stroked font support (sometimes), and provides hooks to acceleration features like blitting. A GUI does windows, menus, higher-level display management primitives, mouse support, etc.
> When you argue for kernel support for graphics, you argue _against_ the already > existing, standard UNIX graphics API that does a hell of a lot more than some > stupid frame buffer.
It needn't be an either/or situation. Sy my other post in this thread about how it could be integrated into the kernel as an alpha config option, which is compiled out wouldn't affect *anything*. It could be unobtrusive as hell.
> THAT is why this discussion is so totally useless. You're just asking for the > kernel to support something that is _less_ capable than we already have. Do you > think I'm so stupid that I'd go for something as braindead as that?
No, I don't think you are stupid. I also don't think that the kernel graphics idea is braindead, and I guess we may just have to agree to disagree. I think that our idea will speak for itself regarding feasibility once we develop it a bit more.
Jon Taylor = <taylorj@gaia.ecs.csus.edu> | <http://gaia.ecs.csus.edu/~taylorj> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Everything in excess! To enjoy the flavor of life, take big bites. Moderation is for monks." - Lazarus Long
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