Timothy Miller wrote:
I'd like to put out a call for 4 or 5 driver writers to help with the
following pieces of software for OGD1, OGC1, etc.:
- VGA BIOS
- Linux kernel driver
- Linux fbconsole driver
- Linux DRI driver
- X11 DDX module
- Mesa driver (later than the others)
Those that volunteer will be lent OGD1 cards. Most likely, those who
check in working code will get their loans made permanent.
I am afraid that I am also someone whose low level programing experience
is limited to DOS. So, I guess that all I could help with is the Video
BIOS. I don't know how much help I can be since I have retired on
disability. I have CFS and my brain doesn't always work correctly.
Actually, my area of programing expertise is numerical methods. Such
programs are usually not written in C because C compilers tend to screw
up such programs. But, I know C and x86 assembler. The only assemblers
I have are a buggy MS 5.1 which is now obsolete and something from
Borland that might be OK if it will run on PC-DOS 2K.
Perhaps we will need a new Intel assembler. Does the Video BIOS need to
be able to run in protected mode? What code level should we use (486,
586, 686)?
But about the VGA/VESA BIOS. Can we obtain some information from VESA
as a starting point to write a BIOS?
I have a listing of the IBM EGA BIOS so I might be able to help on the
listing side of a "Chinese Wall". Or, do you think that IBM cares
anymore since they got out of the PC business. Actually, the assembler
code would be modified so much for our hardware that it wouldn't be
recognizable. I presume that, as in music or literature, you are
allowed to copy a little.
--
JRT
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