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ESR's New Kernel Config Tool
Mark Bainter writes: "ESR has released CML2 the new config tool for the linux kernel. I'm sure the softies amoung us will love it, but frankly I think it sucks. Half the things listed as features I'd list as bug reports. A few "highlights": In CML2 it will automatically select and deselect required features related to the option you are manipulating. Options don't appear at all when not needed instead of being greyed out, and the language has been changed to declaritive instead of imperitive. And last but certainly not least, it runs on Python." Interesting discussion on the current kernel traffic about the new tool, too -- but it sounds mostly positive. Thank you, Eric, for bringing arcane kernel issues closer to earthlings.
If you think it sucks so much, why bother to post about it to Slashdot?
What you probably should have done is write up a review of it, and post a link to that to Slashdot, along with the link to the tool. As it stands now, Mark's one paragraph blurb is pointless; it doesn't give nearly enough detail to be classified as a review.
And timothy, it may be wise to exersize some editiorial control. Just because someone wrote a tirade doesn't mean you have to publish *all* of it.
A better blurb:
Mark Bainter writes: "ESR has released CML2 the new config tool for the linux kernel. ... A few "highlights": In CML2 it will automatically select and deselect required features related to the option you are manipulating. Options don't appear at all when not needed instead of being greyed out, and the language has been changed to declaritive instead of imperitive." Mark doesn't seem to like it much, but there is interesting discussion on the current kernel traffic about the new tool -- mostly positive. Thank you, Eric, for bringing arcana kernel issues closer to earthlings.
In short, drop the personal attacks ("the softies"), the pointless bashing of the tool ("it sucks"), and the language war flamebait ("And last but certainly not least, it runs on Python.").
It's a Slashdot worthy story, but not a Slashdot worthy writeup.
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Zen Koan of the day: Slashdot stories suck because Slashdot readers post them.
It sounds like some of the concerns about greyed out vs. invisible options could be alleviated by a good search facility. But being presented with some of the options is an educational experience, and not being able to see "everything" fairly easily could detract from the experience.
I note that Microsoft in Office 2000 has taken to hiding menu options that a user doesn't use, and some people like it, but some don't. For me it's the same issue -- it's hard to discover things that you never see.