Messages in this thread | | | Date | Wed, 9 Jun 1999 06:22:41 +1000 | From | Nathan Hand <> | Subject | Re: Migrating to larger numbers |
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On Tue, Jun 08, 1999 at 12:16:40PM +0200, Pavel Machek wrote: > Hi! > > hpa (?) is '> >'. > > > > You have the completely wrong idea what a device driver is! XF86_SVGA > > > is a device driver! gpm is a device driver (mouse driver.) > > > magicfilter/ghostscript is a device driver (printer driver.) Neither > > > belong in the kernel. > > Actually, gpm is probably going to be trashed and replaced with kernel > approach (because in-kernel input drivers mean better sharing > etc.). XF86_SVGA already has its fbcon counterparts (like > creatorfb).
This is a side issue I'd like to discuss.
Kernel side abstraction of mouse drivers is painful. It encourages user space applications that take over the entire device, and this prevents applications from sharing a device.
The perfect example is /dev/dsp. Because the interface was "fairly good" applications chose to open(2) it. So your desktop could make noises, but you had to kill your desktop to play an mp3.
This has led to the current mess with your choice of ESD, OSS, and ALSALIB as the sound API. If applications had used the theoretical libsound.so from the start, there wouldn't be this problem.
If the kernel approach results in a "fairly good" /dev/mouse, then I can already see applications which say "you may need to kill the X server, and gpm, and ... etc, before using this application".
Now perhaps the mouse is special because it is used by the console but I am concerned that a good /dev/mouse interface will result in a repeat of the sound fiasco.
-- Nathan Hand - Chirp Web Design - http://www.chirp.com.au/ - $e^{i\pi}+1 = 0$ Phone: +61 2 6230 1871 Fax: +61 2 6230 4455 E-mail: nathanh@chirp.com.au
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