Re: Next Familiar release...

On Tue, Jul 10, 2001 at 08:08:25AM -0700, Jim Gettys wrote:
>
> There are a number of open issues that still make setting a schedule in concrete
> (to the extent this is ever possible in an open souce project) a bit difficult.
>
> These include:
> 1) what kernel to use. Jamey's currently taking 2.4.6 for a spin: we'll
> see. We'd like to get the fork used for the BackPAQ back into the mainstream.
> 2.4.4 had a problem that prevented using the HP VGA card we'd like to get
> fixed. Hopefully we'll know in the next couple days if 2.4.6 is a good
> candidate. Tracking the mainstream is a long term necessity.

Dual pcmcia sleeve support is a must. 2.4.6 would be nice.

I've been flashing new kernels fairly often. Having to load them via the
serial port from the boot loader is painful. Is there a reason why the
kernels can't reside within the root file system? It would be really nice
to remove the kernel partition and it's flashing requirements.

On that note, what are the current views on a surviving boot loader? We've
been using bootldr but redboot is out there and some are using it. It
looks like the BootIntimate stuff is using redboot but there are some
sleep mode issues.

I really think that a dual boot (CE/familiar or intimate) would be helpful.
It would allow more people to "play" with linux on their iPAQ. I would
personally use this. CE has some interesting user interface designs. Most
of the dual boot plusses on a PC would apply.

It would be nice to take a look at the O/S environment before release of 0.5.
I add things like more, find, and passwd every time I reflash the O/S. A
review of included apps would be good.

> 2) Power management got broken inadvertently: we need to get this fixed.
> We have a clue: turning off the screen is causing audio to stop playing.
> Clearly the screen power off code is messing with registers it isn't supposed
> to; this may or may not be part of the power problem.
>

Yep, and my unit drains the batteries pretty quickly even when I put it to
sleep.

Just my two cents...

Robin

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Robin Cutshaw         internet: robin_at_interlabs.com robin_at_XFree86.Org
Internet Labs, Inc.   BellNet:  404-713-4000
XFree86 bod/core team member
    "Time is just one damn thing after another" -- PBS/Nova
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