[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > On Sun, Jun 22, 2008 at 09:28:19PM -0700, Steve M Bibayoff wrote: >> And, yes, I subscribe to the people who actually write the linux >> kernel opinion that stable kernel API in a FLOSS OS is silly: >> http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/people/gregkh/misc/2.6/stable-api-nonsense-2.6.10-rc2.patch > > I read that link and like his points. If all this wifi API churn is due to > all > these massive innovations then fine. However, why doesn't wired networking > have that much churn? I haven't had any problems in years with wired Linux! > > Also, innovations hopefully eventually converge on some Right Way like I > assume > wired system did. Can we at least hope this chaos will stablize eventually? >
In one sense, it's not quite fair to compare wireless difficulties with wired, because the wireless case involves more complications -- radio (short for several of those complications), modes, and auth/security. As another observation, I think there was, in fact, a long period of hardware reverse-engineering and catch-up in ethernet adapters before Becker (somewhat) single-handedly standardized a lot of it. Perhaps others can correct/extend my recollections here. All things considered though, the original gripes are well taken, and LWN had an article that touches on mistakes in wireless development history Why some drivers are not merged early http://lwn.net/SubscriberLink/286558/71201da048bc43be/ Regards, ..jim -- KPLUG-List@kernel-panic.org http://www.kernel-panic.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/kplug-list
