The last thing pc hardware needs is yet ANOTHER layer of bloated, buggy code between the user and the hardware device. The solution to every so-called computing 'problem' these days is just to slap ANOTHER layer on top of what's already there. If what's there was designed well in the first place, the extra layers wouldn't be needed as much (notice I didn't say 'at all'). Java,.NET and its competing ilk are prime examples. In their case, you're mostly right, the cpu does spend most of its time idle (that doesn't mean I would want 3dsmax.NET, quake 5.NET or VST.NET either) making some applications viable as the performance hit is tolerable.. However, with low level hardware interfaces, its 100x worse. At that level, every clockcycle DOES matter. Developers don't seem to realize that any latency added by a clunky driver and/or 'wrapper' interface adds the absolute minimum response time a device can have on a given system for users. Therefore, a primary goal should be to MINIMIZE latency. Even drivers written for Microsoft's WDM interface take quite a performance hit compared to the older VXD interfaces.
This issue is important to other devices besides vid cards and drive controllers. If some new fangled mouse had all these nice features, but had a 20ms delay because of either poorly written drivers or the use of some driver wrapper, then, to me, the device is useless. I wouldn't buy it. Same goes for network cards, sound cards, game controllers, etc. I don't want some NIC driver grabbing 20% more cpu than it should on a busy server just because the developer used some wrapper to save time. Using a wrapper is just pure laziness, and has no place in a final production product that is charged for. If you're going to support an operating system, whether it be Windows, Linux, or anything else, do it RIGHT. I realize writing a driver for a wrapper can save development time, but it usually just ends up dumping problems on the user instead, when the user is PAYING the company to solve their problem in the first place. After all, that's why they're buying their device, right? Anyway, the less code between me and the hardware, the less chance of some stupid bug preventing me from using/enjoying the product I just spent money on. Come on, as a hardware developer, their employees are getting PAID to support their product. They don't have an excuse to be lazy.
I realize what you are saying. I'm not twisting anything, just stating my opinion. I don't remember reading anywhere a statement by Linus that said he wrote anything but a kernel and a few userspace utils (most done by others). He DID say he started the project because he didn't like what else was available. Good for him. The media, like the rest of the non-tech world, are primarily responsible for your complaints because they dont' know the difference between a kernel and a complete OS. Without a GPL'd kernel, the GNU software project was dependent on other systems and Linux was the first viable solution to come along. If you think about it, maybe the GNU project 'owes' a thanks to Linus for doing what they couldn't do at the time. If you want a target to rip into, start with the media. I guarantee you won't get far. It'll be like preaching to a brick wall. gl gg.
Even now, a year or two after they announced a stable Hurd, which has more hardware support and performance? Somehow, I doubt its Hurd. IF you are truely upset,instead of complaining about it, get crackin' and help the GNU foundation write a BETTER kernel than linux. That, in my mind, is closer to the philosophy of Free Software and Open Source than pointless whining. Btw, don't forget the BSDs too. They're widely considered to be technically superior to linux. Are you going to start with them because they aren't bowing down to RMS 5 times a day as well? They're too busy writing software.
Those who have put their efforts into various GNU projects (glibc, gcc, binutils, etc etc) have their names emblazoned across most of the readme, header and source files, not to mention the adoration of all:). You can't tell me that either Linus or the various distributors are trying to take credit from anyone. YES, linux wouldn't be much without the GNU software. That is a given. I just don't see the point of making a big deal out of it. I don't see how most GNU users should care where the software came from. As long as it is high quality code, all is well.
If you hate Linus for his supposed 'deeds', don't run linux. Run Hurd. That's another aspect of Free Software: Choice.
I doubt any of this political bs ever entered his mind as he was coding. He used what was available at the time. He had a working kernel 10 years before the GNU project did (and some would argue, still does). The GNU project needed a kernel. Linux fit the bill pretty well. Don't forget the *BSDs that use the GNU utils. I'm sure those developers are 'guilty' of the same 'crimes' somewhere in history.
wtf is up with all of this bullshit crying and bitching? WHO CARES? All of this is supposed to be 'Free' software is it not? The licenses give anyone the FREEdom to do pretty much what they want right? Stop whining about it. This is a pissing contest just like everything else.
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The last thing pc hardware needs is yet ANOTHER layer of bloated, buggy code between the user and the hardware device. The solution to every so-called computing 'problem' these days is just to slap ANOTHER layer on top of what's already there. If what's there was designed well in the first place, the extra layers wouldn't be needed as much (notice I didn't say 'at all'). Java, .NET and its competing ilk are prime examples. In their case, you're mostly right, the cpu does spend most of its time idle (that doesn't mean I would want 3dsmax .NET, quake 5.NET or VST.NET either) making some applications viable as the performance hit is tolerable.. However, with low level hardware interfaces, its 100x worse. At that level, every clockcycle DOES matter. Developers don't seem to realize that any latency added by a clunky driver and/or 'wrapper' interface adds the absolute minimum response time a device can have on a given system for users. Therefore, a primary goal should be to MINIMIZE latency. Even drivers written for Microsoft's WDM interface take quite a performance hit compared to the older VXD interfaces.
This issue is important to other devices besides vid cards and drive controllers. If some new fangled mouse had all these nice features, but had a 20ms delay because of either poorly written drivers or the use of some driver wrapper, then, to me, the device is useless. I wouldn't buy it. Same goes for network cards, sound cards, game controllers, etc. I don't want some NIC driver grabbing 20% more cpu than it should on a busy server just because the developer used some wrapper to save time. Using a wrapper is just pure laziness, and has no place in a final production product that is charged for. If you're going to support an operating system, whether it be Windows, Linux, or anything else, do it RIGHT. I realize writing a driver for a wrapper can save development time, but it usually just ends up dumping problems on the user instead, when the user is PAYING the company to solve their problem in the first place. After all, that's why they're buying their device, right? Anyway, the less code between me and the hardware, the less chance of some stupid bug preventing me from using/enjoying the product I just spent money on. Come on, as a hardware developer, their employees are getting PAID to support their product. They don't have an excuse to be lazy.
rogue, not 'rouge'
damn it, why can't people spell anymore? Its not hard, and most of you are college GRADUATES!
I realize what you are saying. I'm not twisting anything, just stating my opinion. I don't remember reading anywhere a statement by Linus that said he wrote anything but a kernel and a few userspace utils (most done by others). He DID say he started the project because he didn't like what else was available. Good for him. The media, like the rest of the non-tech world, are primarily responsible for your complaints because they dont' know the difference between a kernel and a complete OS. Without a GPL'd kernel, the GNU software project was dependent on other systems and Linux was the first viable solution to come along. If you think about it, maybe the GNU project 'owes' a thanks to Linus for doing what they couldn't do at the time. If you want a target to rip into, start with the media. I guarantee you won't get far. It'll be like preaching to a brick wall. gl gg. Even now, a year or two after they announced a stable Hurd, which has more hardware support and performance? Somehow, I doubt its Hurd. IF you are truely upset,instead of complaining about it, get crackin' and help the GNU foundation write a BETTER kernel than linux. That, in my mind, is closer to the philosophy of Free Software and Open Source than pointless whining. Btw, don't forget the BSDs too. They're widely considered to be technically superior to linux. Are you going to start with them because they aren't bowing down to RMS 5 times a day as well? They're too busy writing software. Those who have put their efforts into various GNU projects (glibc, gcc, binutils, etc etc) have their names emblazoned across most of the readme, header and source files, not to mention the adoration of all :). You can't tell me that either Linus or the various distributors are trying to take credit from anyone. YES, linux wouldn't be much without the GNU software. That is a given. I just don't see the point of making a big deal out of it. I don't see how most GNU users should care where the software came from. As long as it is high quality code, all is well.
If you hate Linus for his supposed 'deeds', don't run linux. Run Hurd. That's another aspect of Free Software: Choice.
I doubt any of this political bs ever entered his mind as he was coding. He used what was available at the time. He had a working kernel 10 years before the GNU project did (and some would argue, still does). The GNU project needed a kernel. Linux fit the bill pretty well. Don't forget the *BSDs that use the GNU utils. I'm sure those developers are 'guilty' of the same 'crimes' somewhere in history.
wtf is up with all of this bullshit crying and bitching? WHO CARES? All of this is supposed to be 'Free' software is it not? The licenses give anyone the FREEdom to do pretty much what they want right? Stop whining about it. This is a pissing contest just like everything else.