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"Eric S. Raymond" wrote:
> The project is not yet complete, but it has reached a beta stage at
> which it is usable and in significant ways functionally superior to the
> present system. I am confident that it will complete. I am announcing
> now rather than holding off until I'm completely done because there
> are some preparations which, if begun now, will significantly reduce
> total transition costs. These preparations will *not* break the
> present kbuild system.
>
> Why this project at all? It all started when I realized that building
> kernels is way too hard. I wanted to simplify the configuration task
> enough to make configuration accessible to non-gurus. It needs to
> have more policy options. Rather than hundreds of questions like
> "Include FOOBAR2317 driver?", the novice should see stuff like
> "Compile in all modular drivers as modules without prompting?"
Jeff Garzik <jgarzik@mandrakesoft.com> responded:
IMNSHO this attitude is wrong. If building the kernel is tough for
newbies, make a userland utility with all these policy questions and
features. We are talking about an interface on the KERNEL DEVELOPER
side of the line.
I am all for making the kernel build and config process more flexible,
but I am NOT at all for "dumbing down" the interface just so to make it
easier for newbies to build a kernel. If a person does not understand
the issues related with building a kernel, they should get someone else
to do it for them. That's why distributions and vendors exist.
Hi Folks,
I've spent 40 years being a newbie. It's that or passé. I was
programming before assemblers were invented. Today's "newbies" are often
more advanced than yesterday's programmers. I now have octagenerians
asking me to help them install linux. Note the word help. The general
computer user population is tons more sophisticated than it was even 5
years ago. Worry about functionality. The newbies will learn. What I
would like to see is for Configure.help to become a nice readable doc or
the information source for one. This would give people an advance look
at the questions that will be presented.
Garst
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