Hello all,
Github issues #207 <https://github.com/jbruchon/elks/issues/207> and
#233 <https://github.com/jbruchon/elks/issues/233> raise a somewhat
'strategic' question about the support of the 16-bit protected mode. My
proposal is to merely drop it, after considering the following pros & cons:
Pros:
* existing code base in the repository as 'experimental'
* allow memory 1...16 MB
* intrinsic robustness
Cons:
* inconsistent code with current ELKS state
* strong architectural constraints in addition to the current i86
segmentation
* very specific to i286 processor model
* never being a success on PC market
* not suited for embedded market (big gap between 80186 softcores and
32-bit ones)
* and last but not least, nobody to work on it
Jody already agreed the proposal, but I would like to be sure I won't
hurt any previous contributor by throwing away his code. So please
notify us in case you would disagree that simplification.
Thanks,
MFLD
