Re: New proposed DRM interface design

[Keith Whitwell]

Jon Smirl wrote:
> On Sat, 04 Sep 2004 14:52:35 +0100, Keith Whitwell
> <keith@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> > Currently we have to perform two merges and three releases to get a driver to
> > a users:
> >
> >        Merge DRM CVS --> LK
> >        Release stable kernel  --> Picked up by vendor
> >        Release stable Mesa 3D
> >        Merge Mesa 3D --> X.org
> >        Release stable X.org  --> Picked up by vendor
>
>
> X on GL will make this process faster
>
>          Merge DRM CVS --> LK
>          Release stable kernel  --> Picked up by vendor
>          Release stable Mesa 3D --> Picked up by vendor
>          Release stable X.org  --> Picked up by vendor
>
> If DRM went into a kernel development model....
>
>          Release stable kernel  --> Picked up by vendor
>          Release stable Mesa 3D --> Picked up by vendor
>          Release stable X.org  --> Picked up by vendor
>
> This is the fastest model. Merges have been eliminated.

Yep.  Right now, I think it's really the Mesa/Xorg side that needs work and is 
the "critical path".  If we can convince/educate the distros to take 3D 
drivers from Mesa, that will be a good step in the right direction.

> You may think that X on GL (gnuLonghorn) is a crazy idea. But
> comptetive pressures from the Mac and Longhhorn will force us into
> doing it so or later. I'd rather do it sooner.

Not a crazy idea at all, plus I like the name.  But a fork could help relieve 
the tension between trying to maintain a stable DRM and the sorts of stuff 
that you need to do to move to the next level.  And I recognize that I get 
grumpy when it sounds like existing functionality is threatened by your desire 
to push off in a certain technical direction.  If gnuLonghorn/DRM makes a 
friendly/development fork off the existing DRM, things might go a little smoother.

Keith

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