[OpenIndiana-discuss] All 32-bit-only X device drivers removed from Hipster -??

[Jacob Ritorto]

What Nikola said.  +1.


On Thu, Mar 5, 2015 at 2:04 AM, Nikola M <minikola at gmail.com> wrote:

> I have been reading 'Hipster' change log, posted on Openindiana wiki under
> the page:
> http://wiki.openindiana.org/oi/oi_hipster
> and I noticed that alp did "All 32-bit-only X device drivers removed.",
> just after updating them.
>
> It is strange to remove such a large portion of graphics support for
> Openindiana, and user support, too and I see no reason for it.
> And also removing support for 32-bit hardware for Openindiana would not
> benefit anyone and must not come unnoticed and undiscussed.
> It is true no one tells that Hipster is production ready, but it is a norm
> in Hipster to never go back with changes , not having versioned numbers
> upon repository updates (and I suppose it is because of breaking
> consolidations and harder to make working 'entire' consolidation out of
> changing packages),
> so I must say a few words.
>
> As recently it was mentioned on mailing list by alp, that he is thinking
> of removing 32-bit hardware support for no clear reasons,
> Remind you that all Openindiana ISO disks till now both work on 32-bit and
> 64-bit x86 hardware, both as LiveDVD media and after install, with most of
> applications being 32bit on 64bit hardware.
> Removing also such excellent functionality is also questionable.
>
> It is such a move not only for not supporting users needs and multiple
> answers on the list that responded negatively of removing 32-bit hardware
> support, but also is a way for killing user experience for anyone using
> 32-bit hardware (and other 32-bit mainstream operating systems does not
> even think of dropping support for 32-bit hardware any time soon.
> Those are machines coming brand new with 32-bit OSes in March 2015 with no
> less then 2GB of RAM or 4 with less usabe, that is still considered 'just
> fine' amount for many desktop and small server needs. Also this kind of
> hardware is all around us and it is simply not the case that 'every
> computer in last 7-8 years is 64bit',
> , but also vast amount of them has up to 4GB of RAM and 32-bit OS es
> installed and that is big potential also for OI use that, should not be
> destroyed.
>
> It is true GDA at illumos stated that illumos wold move to support ony
> 64-bit on x86 for hardware (32-bit applications are going to be supported
> with no changes),
> but it did NOT happen in illlumos, nor there are indications it will
> happen any time soon..
> Also, illumos will have announcement (with question from community of
> users) and some 'last illumos for 32bit' that could be maintained for a
> longer time. Also no mentions that illumos will do thing like that yet.
>
> So, removig important functionality from OI requires wider consensus, no
> mater what you think about contribution models and types of involvement.
> It is not distribution made for 2 or 3 people, it is made for wide
> audience.
> Decisions like this in my humble opinion should not be acted upon behind
> closed doors and without calling for action or help in solving issues. (IF
> they represent any issues).
> Removing 32-bit suport is maybe solving some issues (what) for minority of
> people, (and as we know OI has very strong workarounds inherited from
> Opensolaris for suporting multiple platforms), but it is screwing OI in a
> big way, comparing to any other distro and platform.
>
> Situation where new user, holding DVD or USB flash drive in hand and
> trying to boot Openindiana for the first time on it's existing hardware he
> can spare for trying it out,
> and realization that it's graphics are intentionally not supported for no
> clear reason is a showstopper not only for current users.
> If some techical things are in mind here , then OI should firstly have at
> least some or ANY release, following /dev that could fully support 32-bit
> and not, before that move and not letting down existing users.
>
>
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