[LinuxBIOS] Suggestions for LinuxBIOS v3

[Peter Stuge]

On Wed, May 02, 2007 at 10:59:31PM +0200, Luc Verhaegen wrote:
> > > Bootsplash is overrated :)
> > 
> > In your opinion. I don't care much for it either, but I definately
> > understand why people like it.
> 
> True, but most people don't understand how involved modesetting is.

And they should not.


> > CLI is not for everyone.
> 
> Playing with linuxbios is not for everyone either.

Today, no. But I hope it will be.


> The drive should be towards adding hardware support, not towards
> blinging a few side utilities.

I think both are important, like both Linux and X.org are important.


> Linuxbios will not become more widespread because of a gui.

It might. LinuxBIOS will certainly not become less widespread because
it offers an optional GUI.


> > A smart consumer with a bit of time on her hands will do so much
> > better than any producer.
> 
> Right, but the question here is how to spend that time.

I think that's up to the user.


> Turning things into a gui, tracking the more involved dependencies
> and API/ABI changes, that is not a good way to spend ones time.

A GUI does not automatically have adverse effects anywhere. The
best designs allow any kind of user interface.


> Plus, if done improperly, this will reduce the ability to rework
> things to match different hardware. We should work towards the best
> technical solution, not the most glamourous.

Again, I think that technology must be adapted to man. I don't think
that's glamorous, just common sense. :) No users; useless technology.

Maybe I have to clarify that I think a prerequisite for any adaption
of technology is that the technology actually is adaptable.

I find that good technical solutions usually are trivial to adapt.


Now, back on topic: (hehe)

I think the v3 technology is really good. It's certainly a great leap
ahead from v2. I expect v4 will advance further. (I don't think
anyone has thought about that yet, though.) This thread is about v3
suggestions and I think the time is right to also pay attention to
reaching a wider audience.

Like my friends that are Windows power users and just recently
managed to install a ubuntu firewall. It took them all day but they
managed. They're a little intimidated, but also intrigued, by the
many unfamiliar dialogs, concepts and tools. They will appreciate
Linux when a few months have passed and they realize how well it
works for them. They have several Pentium boxes. They don't like
command lines. There is no reason they shouldn't run LinuxBIOS! :)

Am I too naive?


//Peter