Sorry, but I think there is some seriously strange reasoning going on here.
> It's not so much that we spend time maintaining the source, but I do > spend time compiling it. Err, don't you use a custom kernel configuration? Unless you're working on those drivers, why are you compiling them in anyway? Yes, I've read the FAQ, and I know we're all supposed to be using the GENERIC kernel, but who does? Mine is customisted beyond recognition. > And I have to download it (3 times!) every > time I install a new snapshot. Cumulatively, I've probably spent hours > of my life waiting for these drivers' bits to go from here to there. I > will selfishly claim that if I save five minutes of time this year by > not compiling these files, that right there is more benefit than > retaining support. There is certainly a case that five minutes multiplied by the number of OpenBSD users does add up to a significant amount of wasted time, but why are you assuming that these disabled by default drivers are not used by a significant number of people? > I targeted disabled devices figuring they were least likely to be > missed, I disagree here, there are plenty of enabled devices that nobody owns or cares about. The two issues are completely separate. > but I honestly question the utility of any of these ISA > network and SCSI drivers. Perhaps somebody who is new to coding might be able to learn something from them? > Besides, > at this point, due to adding so many new drivers (kernel size has > more than doubled in last ten years) the minimum RAM requirement is > basically past ISA only machines. This is an issue for the install media. After that, you should be running a custom kernel if you're using an obsolete machine. > The segment of machines that lack > PCI but support 32M or more of RAM is very narrow. True. > And unlike sparc or vax, I don't think running OpenBSD on some > ancient 486 is historically interesting. But OpenBSD doesn't run on the really interesting Vaxen, anyway. If it did, I'd have an 11-series Vax here tomorrow. I even have some 9-track tape in the loft, just waiting for it. The truth is, running OpenBSD on a MicroVax, is no more fun than an old 486, it's just slower. >>> boot loginout.exe oh, what nostalgia. Not. Have you ever used those machines, with their crashing removable disk packs. and tape drives that unwound 2400 feet of tape all over the place in just a few seconds? You're seeing them through rose-tinted glasses if you did. Not to mention that the decent Vaxen need three phase power. Great. Looking to the future, when are we going to drop 486 support, anyway? -- Creamy
