On Thu, 15 Aug 1996, Casper BodenCummins wrote: > This is an interesting issue. You might use similar justification for > leaving all but the essentials out of the distributed kernel. This would > encourage users to learn how to recompile the kernel, and demonstrate in > doing so that it's surprisingly simple. > > On the other hand, new users might think, 'This kernel doesn't even > support mice [or whatever]. What a crummy kernel!'. Many are liable to > come to this conclusion on discovering that only serial mice are (have > been just recently) supported. > > Since the project's maintainers have decided to compile in a fair range > of support in the distributed kernel, it's quite reasonable to expect > something as simple as support for a range of mice to be included. > > The real question is whether the default kernel should be bloated with > features, or pared down. >
I would think off hand that it would make sense to add another tier to the install layering. 1'st tier. Floppy set. 2'nd tier. You have a system that will boot off the hard disk. Note This means that you need to include lilo on the boot floppy system. Much as I like debian, my experience with slackware was a lot more transparent for getting through this stage. At this point you are booting with a minimal kernel. Since you aren't working with mice the kernel has no mouse support. However to boot off the hard disk the kernel must have hard disk support. This probably means support for numerous scsi cards too. 3'rd tier. Configure to specific hardware. This is where you would tell it what type of sound card, cd-rom, network card. Some of this can be done by autodetect scripts. At the end of this tier you should have a system that can ftp, mount nfs, mount cd-roms. 4'th tier. Add rest of basic package. Note: At present dselect allows you to pick and choose too early I think. The basic required stuff should be done as an automated install. At the end of this you have a minimalist, but basic unix machine. 5'th tier. Normal dselect, where you can pick out what you want. One of the recommended packages would be kernel builder, which would guide you through the steps to either select one of a standard set, or help you to roll your own. Sherwood Botsford |Unsolicited email that advertises commercial Physics Dept |activities will consitute a request for U of Alberta |spellchecking of all words of less than three Edmonton, AB, |characters. I charge $US500 for this service. T6G 2J1 |There is no warranty of correctness of this service.
