Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2004 14:52:07 +0200 From: "Devon H. O'Dell" <dodell@sitetronics.com> To: Avleen Vig <lists-freebsd@silverwraith.com> Cc: freebsd-config@freebsd.org Subject: Re: "Next Generation" kernel configuration? Message-ID: <40FE66F7.2050006@sitetronics.com> In-Reply-To: <20040721124345.GB99978@silverwraith.com> References: <XFMail.20040720193931.conrads@cox.net> <20040721124345.GB99978@silverwraith.com>
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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
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