Path: utzoo!yunexus!geac!syntron!jtsv16!uunet!munnari!uqcspe!elec!hannam
From: hannam@elec.uq.oz (Andrew Hannam)
Newsgroups: comp.os.minix
Subject: Re: 1.3c more notes
Message-ID: <34@elec.uq.oz>
Date: 24 Oct 88 04:16:40 GMT
Article-I.D.: elec.34
Organization: Elec Eng, Queensland Uni, Australia
Lines: 28

> On the other point, I think the console driver should be split.  There should
> be one for EGA, and one for the rest of us.  I know this is difficult to do,
> because the distribution disks must work with both, so maybe a hybrid is in
> order.  In other words, a quick-and-dirty tty driver, which works with both
> types.  Once the system is running, the end-user can select the appropriate
> code, and re-compile the kernel.  Somewhat similar to the xx_wini.c deal.
> 						- Der

I don't see why it should be split. The EGA driver should not be difficult
to do. The problem with the existing code is that it hasn't been thought
out properly (i.e. remove software scrolling and fix the problem properly).
Conceptually the EGA should be upwardly compatable with the CGA (although
it isn't when it comes to memory wrap around).
	I have already produced a new tty driver (which has been posted
to the net) which handles this problem properly without having umpteen
million lines of specialized code for handling the EGA.

As for line-wrap, I'll state again - Please put it in but make it a
run-time option (i.e. ioctl or ANSI sequence support) rather than
compile time. Whether you have line-wrap or not is dependant on the
users preferences not on system policy. Again, this is already in my
posted driver. (notice I'm really pushing for people to try it ?)

I wish AST would take a good look at my new tty driver as it contains
significant improvments to algorithms, methods etc. Some of this code
may (!!) be useful to him.

I HATE SOFTWARE SCROLLING !!