Re: Why not make Linux source modular?

Mailing List Receiver (lists@rep00687.reshall.umich.edu)
Fri, 23 Feb 1996 15:48:46 -0500 (EST)


On Wed, 21 Feb 1996 cs95rro@brunel.ac.uk wrote:

> OK, this is sort of a continuation of the Linus overworked thread. It's also
> probably been discussed before, so feel free to flame me if I'm being a
> complete idiot. :-)
>
> My point is this: Why is Linux kernel source distributed as one big lump?
>
> Many of the drivers could be distributed seperatly as modules, such as file
> system drivers, some Networking protocols, Net cards etc... and have different
> people maintaining them. Ftape already does this, and it works. (Although
> he is mumbling about integrating it with the kernel...)
>
> Just an idea... ,'/

I, for one, prefer having things integrated into the kernel. This way,
I can always be sure that I have the newest drivers. It also helps
reduce problems that might be caused by having a nonstandard
installation.

Right now, if someone asks a question about a problem in the kernel, we
can be reasonably sure that they are using a standard kernel, and that
the drivers they are using are the drivers that everyone else is using.

Of course, I have a fast net connection, and can download new kernels in
<5 minutes...

- Tom Kludy