OT: linux overhead (was: Re: OT: printing filepro on SERIAL PORT Linux)

[D. Thomas Podnar]

: > Linux is a classic case of "programming by exception". Every version,
: > and every kernel release, is a new test and requires a change or two.
: 
: I think that's a bit of hyperbole, unless you're talking about the major
: releases (ie., 2.2 vs 2.4 vs 2.6, not 2.6.11 vs 2.6.12).

You are welcome to think that. In our case it is not. At the application
level, a word processor or accounting system might not notice the changes.

At the SCSI programming level, or the kernel tools level, where we live,
small changes get magnified, and kernel tweakers like to tweak.

As I mentioned, Fedora Core 6 has a kernel change that affects our disaster
recovery media. I could live with that, if the last set of "minor" updates
to Fedora Core 5 hadn't also added the same "fix" and affected us.

: > Our focus is definitely on "releases of Linux that are sold and supported
: > commercially", such as Red Hat, Suse and Mandriva, and their directly
: > related cousins and descendants.
: 
: Mandriva?  Lemme guess, Mandrake and Connectiva merged?

Got me. I've no idea why Mandrakesoft changed their name. It's been a while.

: > But it is 8:45pm on a Sunday night and I'm here doing product QA testing.
: > Draw your own conclusions.
: 
: You need a gf or a wife?  :)

Married 28 years, thanks. We had the company Christmas party at a restaurant
last night, then came in to check on some long-term tests and start some
new ones, which hopefully will save time for me today.

It takes a while to test things when you have very large devices, no matter
how fast they are.

Tom