Re: device syntax again

[Hollis Blanchard]

On Jan 19, 2005, at 4:06 AM, Yoshinori K. Okuji wrote:
> For instance, when I installed Debian GNU/Linux into my iBook, all I 
> had
> to learn was how to boot a CD-ROM from Open Firmware (pressing 'c' or
> something like that). The other dirty jobs were done by yaboot and
> ybin. So I didn't need to learn anything about the device syntax.

In my proposal, _you can still do that_.

> The reason why I know Open Firmware somehow is simply because I studied
> it intentionally when Gordon and I were thinking of porting GRUB to
> other architectures (and I played Open Firmware with SparcStation and
> PowerBook). For most people, there is no reason why they must learn
> Open Firmware.

I agree, there is no reason. But people who want to can, and will enjoy 
the benefits.

> Don't worry. I have experience with large systems, and I take it into
> account. I think using disk labels is a good answer for your question.

Glad to hear it.

Please understand: I am not requiring users to learn the device tree. I 
am asking that users who already know the device tree can use it more 
easily. You can still hold down the 'c' key and never worry about it

The 'alias' suggestion is not bad, but it is one extra annoyance. "You 
can use Open Firmware device names in GRUB, unless they contain a 
comma. If they contain a comma, you must create an alias first." I see 
that as an implementation detail that users shouldn't have to think 
about.

-Hollis