I have had about all I can take of this pointless flame war about the
various methods of doing console graphics on linux. I see the linux
developers split three ways here: fbcon, KGI, and user space. I've seen
people complain about the GGI folks being fanatics. IMHO, there are
fanatics on all three sides. We are getting zilch done by sitting here
and arguing. It's time to bury the hatchet and start working together
at producing something that's not KGI, not fbcon, not user space, but
the best of all three. If we continue with this petty flame war, I fear
there will be a rift in the linux kernel, which is the last thing we
need just when we are gaining steam in mainstream computing.
On non-x86 architectures, kernel video support is a must, because of the
lack of a native text mode. If Billy Gates gets his way then the PC's
will be like that too in a year or so. Like it or not, kernel video
support is going to be needed, if not now, in the future. Note, I'm not
saying that text mode should be removed. If it's supported then it
should be used.
Another thing I wish people would get over is the misconception that
kernel level video drivers are supposed to replace X. They only replace
a part of the X server, that part which deals with the card directly.
This would relieve the burden of supporting the video drivers inside the
server from the XFree86 developers and will allow them more time to fix
the outstanding bugs and implement better features.
This discussion has gone on long enough. It's time to start cooperating
instead of resisting each other. All three sides have valid points.
Make a system that uses the best of the three worlds.
--Brian Gerst
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