Return-Path: Received: (majordomo@vger.kernel.org) by vger.kernel.org via listexpand id ; Mon, 30 Jul 2001 15:39:24 -0400 Received: (majordomo@vger.kernel.org) by vger.kernel.org id ; Mon, 30 Jul 2001 15:39:14 -0400 Received: from atlrel7.hp.com ([192.151.27.9]:55310 "HELO atlrel7.hp.com") by vger.kernel.org with SMTP id ; Mon, 30 Jul 2001 15:39:00 -0400 Message-ID: <3B65B7EC.42245D62@fc.hp.com> Date: Mon, 30 Jul 2001 13:39:24 -0600 From: Khalid Aziz X-Mailer: Mozilla 4.78 [en] (X11; U; Linux 2.4.5 i686) X-Accept-Language: en MIME-Version: 1.0 To: Rik van Riel Cc: LKML Subject: Re: Support for serial console on legacy free machines In-Reply-To: Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Sender: linux-kernel-owner@vger.kernel.org X-Mailing-List: linux-kernel@vger.kernel.org Original-Recipient: rfc822;linux-kernel-outgoing Rik van Riel wrote: > > On Thu, 26 Jul 2001, Khalid Aziz wrote: > > > serial console. The bummer is this table was designed by Microsoft and > > Microsoft owns the copyright on it. Microsoft primarily designed this > > Microsoft owns the copyright on that particular document. > > If I were to give you an mp3 with descriptions of what > various bits to poke at you'd be free to do whatever you > want with that info ;) > > In fact, I suspect you're already free to do whatever > you want with the info contained in the document... > You are possibly right. It would be better to use SPCR as opposed to another equivalent table since every vendor is extremely likely to include SPCR in their ACPI implementation in the firmware since Microsoft would require it, which may not be the case with another table. If everyone feels there is no problem with using SPCR as it is, then I can release the code I have already done to support it. One thing I should point out is since Microsoft owns the definition for SPCR (same applies to DBGP which defines a Debug serial port), they can easily change the defitnition of the table and Linux will have to play catch up, although that situation would be nothing new. Here is an excerpt from the disclaimer in the table description document for anyone interested: "Disclaimer: The information contained in this document represents the current view of Microsoft Corporation on the issues discussed as of the date of publication. Because Microsoft must respond to changing market conditions, it should not be interpreted to be a commitment on the part of Microsoft, and Microsoft cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information presented. This document is for informational purposes only. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN THIS DOCUMENT. Microsoft Corporation may have patents or pending patent applications, trademarks, copyrights, or other intellectual property rights covering subject matter in this document. The furnishing of this document does not give you any license to the patents, trademarks, copyrights, or other intellectual property rights except as expressly provided in any written license agreement from Microsoft Corporation. Microsoft does not make any representation or warranty regarding specifications in this document or any product or item developed based on these specifications. Microsoft disclaims all express and implied warranties, including but not limited to the implied warranties or merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and freedom from infringement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Microsoft does not make any warranty of any kind that any item developed based on these specifications, or any portion of a specification, will not infringe any copyright, patent, trade secret or other intellectual property right of any person or entity in any country. It is your responsibility to seek licenses for such intellectual property rights where appropriate. Microsoft shall not be liable for any damages arising out of or in connection with the use of these specifications, including liability for lost profit, business interruption, or any other damages whatsoever." -- ==================================================================== Khalid Aziz Linux Systems Operation R&D (970)898-9214 Hewlett-Packard khalid@fc.hp.com Fort Collins, CO - To unsubscribe from this list: send the line "unsubscribe linux-kernel" in the body of a message to majordomo@vger.kernel.org More majordomo info at http://vger.kernel.org/majordomo-info.html Please read the FAQ at http://www.tux.org/lkml/