Re: [MiNT] New kernel features

[atari@bright.net (Lonny Pursell)]

On Fri, 03 Dec 1999 09:40:48 GMT, Maurits van de Kamp wrote:

>
>> If at some point the kernal does all that I need, well then
>> I just don't upgrade.  I take that version and go off and be happy
>that
>> I got it for free.
>
>Very good point! :-) I do feel it is important not to forget about the
>4mb 68000 users, because one of the things that makes MiNT unique is
>that it's the ONLY *nix that will run on such a machine, even with a
>GUI if you're careful. However, it's not possible to keep on adding
>new features that will work on those machines. Hard- and
>softwaredevelopment go hand in hand.
>
>So let's not forget that we already have kernel versions that work
>really well on those machines. If we implement some new features,
>nobody is forced to use them, just stick to an older kernel on your
>ST. Of course, there is also other improvement ie bugfixes and small
>but handy upgrades. That's why I think Conrad's idea of an 68k-only
>kernel is a good one. Why not go on with developing MiNT taking >4MB
>into account, and every once in a while when a lot of important things
>were fixed, release a slimmed-down 68000 kernel?
>
>The misunderstanding in this discussion, IMHO, is that releasing a new
>kernel that's too big for the ST, means preventing ST users from using
>MiNT at all. Adding new features will on the long run mean that the
>kernel will not be usable for a 4MB ST, but PREVENTING that from
>happening means that MiNT will never get up to the full potential that
>TT's, Milans, Falcons with CT2 and of course Hadeses provide.We can
>have it both ways. The kernel we currently have is stable and small.
>ST users can keep on using this kernel until the next slimmed-down
>version is released.
>
>Is this a usable idea? :)

If it can be done this way, I love the idea.  I also think
people forget you can install an older kernal.  ;-)


__________________________________________________________________
Atari Computer User: Lonny Pursell        E-Mail: atari@bright.net
WWW: http://www.bright.net/~atari/       IRC: lp @ #Atari @ IRCnet