Re: New applications?

Erik Hovland wrote:
> I don't mind new apps. As long as they bring features that didn't exist
> before. If something else already does the job and is in tree I would
> like to see some sort of explanation as to why it isn't the right thing.

Fair enough.

> As far as these things go, how long will they actually be appropriate?
> Does the 2.6 kernel even support kbdd?

Well, kbdd works via uinput and standard serial devices, so absolutely.
IIRC there is even some 2.6-specific handling in kbdd right now (for
device name changes I think). IMHO, kbdd is a lot better for handling the
multitude of external keyboards and similar input devices because it is
much easier to maintain than specific kernel drivers - that's the whole
reason it was created.

>> * owner info security plugin
>>...
> I don't know about this one. Does it get in the way of having different
> avatars?

By different avatars do you mean different users? I don't think the
security plugin system has any specific handling for that - it just works
off the currently logged in user - the idea being you just turn off your
device and when it is switched back on there are some authentication
challenges that have to be met before you can use the system.

For non-authenticated users ideally you want to tell them whose device it
is, in case it has been lost. At the moment there is already a feature
(optional, IIRC) that lets you show the owner info after a set number of
failures. Unfortunately it discloses almost all of the business card info
which is not always desirable, and I also feel that it is shown too late -
it should really be shown as the first screen or as the second screen
after the first authentication attempt fails. My plugin addresses those
two shortcomings. You can also show an additional message eg. "substantial
reward for safe return".

>> Marex also has an applet for switching CPU frequency scaling levels that
>> I am sure he is keen to get in:
>>
>> http://marex-hnd.blogspot.com/2007/07/opie-cpufreq-applet.html
>
> If you have tried it and it works for you, it probably is a good thing.

Well, I admit that I haven't, but I plan to. I would also like to see CPU
frequency scaling integrated with light & power settings so that if you
want it to, it can peg back the CPU speed when on batteries to save power.

> Having been critical, I should add that I do not know the problem space
> very well. Don't let me slow you down.

Well, seeking criticism is the very reason I asked :) I am fully aware of
how many applications have been added and then left to stagnate, I don't
want that to happen here - so obviously I want any apps that are added to
be both useful and in a usable state.

Cheers,
Paul
Received on Thu Aug 02 2007 - 17:33:38 EDT