> > On Sun, 2 Jun 1996, Marcus Meissner wrote:
>
> > > > Maybe this is silly and there exist services that do exactly this, in
> > > > userspace, in a safe way, and as fast as a kernel trap. Sorry if so,
> > > > but i think many people dont see the way out [the GGI people for
> > > > example].
> > >
> > > You can just use another selector/segment instead of the default
> > > datasegment just as WINE does? Ok, will only work on i386 and friends.
> > > ... (See modify_ldt system call.)
> >
> > Which is no good. Linux should be as cross-platform as possible,
> > right? Then we need a uniform graphics API.
>
> Are you really that dense?
Calm down. This isn't imporant enough of an isse
> We HAVE a uniform graphics API already. It's called X.
X is a GUI. A graphics API does things like individual pixel
writes, line- and shape-drawing primtives, stroked font support
(sometimes), and provides hooks to acceleration features like blitting.
A GUI does windows, menus, higher-level display management primitives,
mouse support, etc.
> When you argue for kernel support for graphics, you argue _against_ the already
> existing, standard UNIX graphics API that does a hell of a lot more than some
> stupid frame buffer.
It needn't be an either/or situation. Sy my other post in this
thread about how it could be integrated into the kernel as an alpha
config option, which is compiled out wouldn't affect *anything*. It
could be unobtrusive as hell.
> THAT is why this discussion is so totally useless. You're just asking for the
> kernel to support something that is _less_ capable than we already have. Do you
> think I'm so stupid that I'd go for something as braindead as that?
No, I don't think you are stupid. I also don't think that the
kernel graphics idea is braindead, and I guess we may just have to agree
to disagree. I think that our idea will speak for itself regarding
feasibility once we develop it a bit more.
Jon Taylor = <taylorj@gaia.ecs.csus.edu> | <http://gaia.ecs.csus.edu/~taylorj>
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Everything in excess! To enjoy the flavor of life, take big bites.
Moderation is for monks." - Lazarus Long