Re: The Kernel

[George Bonser <grep@oriole.sbay.org>]

On Mon, 19 Jan 1998, Rick Jones wrote:

> That would mean that every dist will have to use the same exact kernel
> all the time.  And the user can't compile his/her own kernel.  The
> purpose of core is to try and set a standard for the minimum core.  Not
> to dictate what a dist should be.  The kernel is in base not core.  *A*
> stripped kernel is in core.  The base package for SEUL, that splits off
> from the core, can have different kernels for the user to choose from. 
> That is what George was refering to.

No, I was not.  Once you add a new kernel, you are no longer SEUL. There
is no longer a guarantee that everything compiled agains the original
kernel will work.  It is one of the reasons that people are so afraid to
produce anything for Linux.  The user keeps dicking with the OS. 

I do not see IBM releasing their source, or Microsoft, or anyone else yet
there are plenty of apps. Why?  Because they have a clear API for the
programmer to work with.  You start recompiling the kernel and your API
starts moving around on you.

My blood pressure just went up about 20 points :) If we are going to be a
stable trouble-free platform, we can not be fluid.  We can produce MODULES
but not kernels except as new versions of SEUL.

We are going to have to be better tested than any distribution of Linux.
Are we prepared for that?  Without SERIOUS testing we can not be assued of
a trouble-free install for a wide array of hardware and skill levels.  I
do NOT want people doing point-and-click kernel builds (though that is
easy with debian's make-kpkg kernel_image)

Sorry I have not been active today ... several power hits have damaged a
/var partition here on the main system.


George Bonser 
If NT is the answer, you didn't understand the question. (NOTE: Stolen sig)
http://www.debian.org
Debian/GNU Linux ... the maintainable operating system.