Return-Path: Received: (majordomo@vger.kernel.org) by vger.kernel.org via listexpand id ; Tue, 15 Jan 2002 10:48:22 -0500 Received: (majordomo@vger.kernel.org) by vger.kernel.org id ; Tue, 15 Jan 2002 10:48:13 -0500 Received: from Morgoth.esiway.net ([193.194.16.157]:44041 "EHLO Morgoth.esiway.net") by vger.kernel.org with ESMTP id ; Tue, 15 Jan 2002 10:48:02 -0500 Date: Tue, 15 Jan 2002 16:47:59 +0100 (CET) From: Marco Colombo To: Giacomo Catenazzi cc: Subject: Re: Aunt Tillie builds a kernel (was Re: ISA hardware discovery --the elegant solution) In-Reply-To: <3C444441.3080608@debian.org> Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Sender: linux-kernel-owner@vger.kernel.org X-Mailing-List: linux-kernel@vger.kernel.org On Tue, 15 Jan 2002, Giacomo Catenazzi wrote: > > > Marco Colombo wrote: > > >> > >>The main discussion was in kbuild-devel list. > >> > > > > Uh, my mailbox hurts just at the thought of even more posting on the suject. > > > > > In kbuild: less people, less traffic, more discussion, less flames > > > Kernel tarballs are for hackers. Marcelo can't test any configuration > > the autoconfigurator can produce. So basically it means an untested > > kernel. Running untested kernel isn't a job for Joe User, and never > > will be. > > > Also what are the stable series? The *starting* point to build a working solution. And stable != supported. The "working solution" being a distro kernel (well, the whole thing really), which happens to be supported (and supportable), too... > But you think your distribution test the kernel in all possible > use? With all possible hardware configuration? They *virtually* do. Why do they have (slightly) DIFFERENT hardware compatibility lists? I don't care if they do really test a given HW configuration as long as they support it. You can't ask Marcelo to actively support any HW conf. I'd expect him to "support" just the HW he uses to build tarballs. > Autoconfiguration will configure a compile and booting kernel. > (but on old machine). Neither vendor can assure you that the kernel > will work for a particolar permutation of hardware, and mainly > it is indipendent from configuration. Uh? After autoconfiguration you *hope* the kernel boots. In late 2.2 times, vanilla 2.2 used to be almost useless for just less-than-naive users. Think of RAID @ redhat, or ReiserFS @ suse. BTW, if I buy a RH Linux CD set (+support), and install it on a PC made by parts all included in RH HW compatibility list, I expect: 1) it to work; 2) failing 1), Red Hat to solve any problem when I call them for support; 3) failing 2), Red Hat to return the money for the CDs. That's what vendors are for. > > Vendors and kernel developers have different goals. That horrible hack > > that fixes some bug or misbehavior fits fine into a vendor kernel, and > > has no place in Marcelo's tree; the same for that C++ written, cross OS > > crap driver for hardware XYZ. Users want it, vendors provide it. > > Different goals, different targets. > > > Change distribution. In Debian/unstable developers and distribution are > hardly linked! Are you suggesting that Joe User should run Debian/*unstable*? What it Debian/stable for, then? > Why do you need someone in the 'layer' between developers > and user? The user isn't expected to do any QA. And Marcelo and other kernel maitainers aren't, either. > > Autoconfiguration is nice. But please move the topic elsewhere. > > Right. Let stop it No problem for me. Feel free to answer me privately, as the above is hardly kernel-related (it applies to any other piece of software). > > giacomo .TM. -- ____/ ____/ / / / / Marco Colombo ___/ ___ / / Technical Manager / / / ESI s.r.l. _____/ _____/ _/ Colombo@ESI.it - 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/