Re: "Next Generation" kernel configuration?

From: Devon H. O'Dell (dodell_at_sitetronics.com)
Date: 07/21/04

  • Next message: Dan Nelson: "Re: Getting a fully-qualified path from a PID" 
    Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2004 14:52:07 +0200
To: Avleen Vig <lists-freebsd@silverwraith.com>

    Avleen Vig wrote:

    > On Tue, Jul 20, 2004 at 07:39:31PM -0500, Conrad J. Sabatier wrote:
    >
    >>Just musing on an idea here:
    >>
    >>I've been thinking for a while now about trying to write a tool to make
    >>kernel configuration easier, sort of a "make config" (as in ports) for
    >>the kernel, similar to what's available on some of the Linux distros.
    >
    >
    > I've read over the other posts in this thread, but I cannot say I think
    > this is a good idea. In fact, I think it's a very bad idea, but with
    > very good intentions. Here's why..
    >
    > I'm a strong proponent of user education. The FreeBSD handbook is one of
    > the best education tools for someone who wants to use FreeBSD, right
    > from beginner to more advanced levels.
    >
    > A "config tool", while useful for beginners, would quickly result is
    > those beginners not learning about building a kernel themselves, copying
    > GENERIC to `hostname -s | tr "[:lower:]" "[:upper:]"`, editing it,
    > learning what is in LINT, remembering to look through there, etc.
    > This process teaches users a lot about how a BSD kernel is configured,
    > what options are availible, and where to look for more options.
    >
    > The end result would be more people building kernels themselves, but not
    > knowing what is actually happening, or what more is possible. It would
    > mean less educated users, and I don't think that is somewhere any
    > organization needs to go (look at what happened to the average Microsoft
    > user's IQ level, after people stopped using DOS and started having
    > machines do the work for them).
    >
    > Like I said, I think your intentions are good, but I have concerns about
    > the suggested solution.
    > _______________________________________________
    > freebsd-hackers@freebsd.org mailing list
    > http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-hackers
    > To unsubscribe, send any mail to "freebsd-hackers-unsubscribe@freebsd.org"
    >

    I wholly disagree. I think using an excuse ``people will let everything
    else do the work for them and nobody will ever learn'' to discourage the
    development of automation tools is very poor. Try applying that argument
    to any utility that you use. You'd have to write your own bloody
    operating system because ``learning's in your best interest''.

    I'm sure this will become another bikeshed, so I suggest whoever came up
    with the idea to put up or shut up. People are interested in solutions,
    not suggestions.

    --Devon
    _______________________________________________
    freebsd-hackers@freebsd.org mailing list
    http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-hackers
    To unsubscribe, send any mail to "freebsd-hackers-unsubscribe@freebsd.org"

  • Next message: Dan Nelson: "Re: Getting a fully-qualified path from a PID"

    Relevant Pages

    • Re: System Monitor
      ... Upgrading the kernel to that computer, system % usage went to 0 again, but it began to mark interrupt and other errors, and passed the %usage to the user section. ... education and the case study affords you unmatched consulting experience. ... Computer Emergency Response Teams, and Digital Investigations. ...
      (Security-Basics)
    • Re: "Next Generation" kernel configuration?
      ... > the kernel, similar to what's available on some of the Linux distros. ... I'm a strong proponent of user education. ... A "config tool", while useful for beginners, would quickly result is ... The end result would be more people building kernels themselves, ...
      (freebsd-hackers)
    • Re: Kernel Upgrade?
      ... On Sunday 30 January 2005 1:56 pm, Kent West wrote: ... > Compiling a kernel is a great thing to do; lots of education involved. ...
      (Debian-User)
    • Re: initrd requires some drivers to be modules
      ... I just use initrd, because I ... what the reasons for building kernels with or without ... This failure MAY indicate that your kernel will not ...
      (comp.os.linux.misc)
    • Why isnt ALTQ in GENERIC?
      ... ALTQ out of the kernel? ... building kernels to be installed on every machine we deploy, ... reason, but I can't find any documentation for that reason. ...
      (freebsd-net)