Messages in this thread | | | Date | Tue, 08 Aug 2000 16:51:52 +0200 | From | Steffen Seeger <> | Subject | Re: [patch] lowlatency patch for 2.4, lowlatency-2.4.0-test6-B5 |
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James Simmons wrote:
> > BTW, it's fun to say rude things about the console code but we should > > understand that it is a difficult problem. Memory-mapped video displays are > > schizophrenic: they are character devices and hence should talked to via > > queues. But they're fast and random access, so we also want synchronous > > write semantics. But they're stateful so we end up where we are today. > > Oh its quite a challenge. Everytime I think I solved a problem I > discover another limitation of the console system. The code is very old > and is completely designed around the idea of the VGA text mode hardware.
At least these are words from a kernel developer. I hope this increases the chances for them to be heard...
> What is even worst is the whole vidoe subsystem. We have DRI/fbdv and > v4l all running independent of each other but yet each subsystem can have > a impact on other apps using the other 2 subsystems. Then we have the > console angle. So when thinking about the console design I have to take in > consideration the other video subsystems of linux as well. What a job but > it is well worth it.
How true. And unfortunately I know what you are talking about... :-)) Strangely enough, developing KGI I made the same experiences, except probably being demotivated more often by the 'officials'.
[Note: The following is not meant offensive in any way.]
I am glad to read this as at least it shades a more objective and less emotionally light on the approach taken by the GGI/KGI project (http://www.ggi-project.org, http://kgi.sourceforge.net). The essential concepts of KGI proposed in 1996 (see http://www2.linuxjournal.com/lj-issues/issue31/0160.html) are in the new console code now. You have kernel-space video drivers (fbdev), input hardware drivers (the input interface) and a management code (the new console code).
Congratulations for that.
> > Good luck with the console project in 2.5 :)
I wish you good luck too. Anyhow, KGI development is still active, and anyone willing to join is very welcome.
> Innovation, innovate, and the concept of doing what everyone else did 20 > years ago are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Other > buzzwords, euphemisms, and blatant lies are trademarks of their respective > owners.
Nice signature. I really like it! :-))
Steffen
_______________________________________________________________________________ Steffen Seeger mailto:seeger@physik.tu-chemnitz.de TU-Chemnitz http://www.tu-chemnitz.de/~sse
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