Resent-Date: Wed, 6 Dec 1995 17:18:39 -0500
Date: Wed, 6 Dec 1995 14:17:33 -0800
From: Graeme Hiebert <geh@mda.ca>
Message-Id: <9512062217.AA11194@mailer.mda.ca>
To: java-linux@java.blackdown.org
Subject: Re: Sound in pre2 works (and other status) (fwd)
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Resent-From: java-linux@java.blackdown.org
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While the 1.3 kernels do seem very stable these days - especially in
comparison to some of the 1.1 kernels - I think it would be a mistake
to rely on 1.3.  We want to bring Java to the masses, not just to
the bleeding edgers.  The "official" kernel is 1.2.x, and that should
be the basis.

I don't recall there being much "hackery" to compile ELF stuff.  There
was a patch to the kernel source tree to compile with an ELF compiler,
but I imagine this has been made standard by now.  But is really
irrelevant - a kernel can be compiled, with an a.out compiler (2.5.8
for example) to support ELF, just by answering "y" to the right
question during configuration.  (Development of an ELF-based compiler
would have been difficult, I'm sure, if this were not the case.)

Obviously, a 1.2.x-compatible java would still have to work under 1.3.x,
so people wouldn't have to downgrade.  (I don't think I'd want to go
back to 1.2.x, even to run Java.)

I really have no clue as to whether kernel threads are The Right Thing.
If it can work with kernel threads, then go for it, but is still essential
to keep it 1.2-compatible.

   -g
---
> Date: Wed, 6 Dec 1995 07:03:02 -0500 (EST)
> From: Steve Dunham <dunham@cl-next4.cl.msu.edu>
> Sender: dunham@notung.msu.edu
> Subject: Re: Sound in pre2 works (and other status) (fwd)
> 
> >  Hi,
> >  
> >    I'm already running 1.3 with no problems at all. I vote go for it. 
> >  Never fear to live on the bleeding edge! Seriously, in my experience 
> >  1.3.45 has been very stable.
>   
> >    BTW, many thanks for the port Randy. It's been unbelieveably useful.
> 
> Also: 
> 
>   It takes some hackery to get 1.2.x to compile ELF anyways
>   There are some very stable 1.3.x kernels.
>   The later 1.3.x kernels have better scheduling and swapping.
>   A lot of people are forced to used 1.3.x because they have devices
>    (CD-ROMS - I believe) that only work in 1.3.x
>   The PPP in 1.3.x is better.
>   1.3.x is more modular.
> 
> and
> 
>   You should `Do the right thing'(TM) - I don't have in depth knowledge of
>   the problems involved here, but it seems that kernel threads are `The
>   Right Thing'(TM).
> 
> Steve
> dunham@gdl.msu.edu
> 
> 
>