FallibleDragon (![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} fallibledragon) wrote,@ 2005-10-31 13:32:00 |
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Smart-ass laptops
Linux kernel 2.6.14 came out recently, so I've been reading through the changelogs. One of the new features is built-in support for the accelerometer in IBM Thinkpads, which detects when they're falling, and protects the harddrive by parking its heads.
But there's a small debate going on now, about why Linux has to do this, when it's supposed to be a feature of the laptop/drive itself. Theoretically, if this was done inside a chip in the drive of the laptop, it'd probably work much faster and more reliably.
So, part of the discussion (on LWN.net) about doing it in software took a Jab at how windows asks you silly questions:
And another, even better part of the discussion:
Hehhehheh :)
Linux kernel 2.6.14 came out recently, so I've been reading through the changelogs. One of the new features is built-in support for the accelerometer in IBM Thinkpads, which detects when they're falling, and protects the harddrive by parking its heads.
But there's a small debate going on now, about why Linux has to do this, when it's supposed to be a feature of the laptop/drive itself. Theoretically, if this was done inside a chip in the drive of the laptop, it'd probably work much faster and more reliably.
So, part of the discussion (on LWN.net) about doing it in software took a Jab at how windows asks you silly questions:
Why is this level of software support needed?
This is needed by the windows driver, it has to displays a popup:
Falling laptop wizard
Exclusive "hard drive active protection system" technology
is detecting that your laptop is falling.
Do you want Windows stop the hard disks ?
[YES] [NO] [HELP](Posted Oct 21, 2005 11:44 UTC (Fri) by guest tushar@mwti.net) (Post reply)
So u expect to press yes when it falls from table? If u can press yes that why not to hold it properly.
(Posted Oct 28, 2005 6:10 UTC (Fri) by guest turpie) (Post reply)
If you're confused as to how that popup dialog operates try reading this article for more information.
And another, even better part of the discussion:
IMHO subsystems like this (including other things like fan controllers and CPU temperature sensors should not depend on the host CPU at all. The host CPU is busy doing other things, thank you very much, and may not always be able to respond to a whiny little sensor nobody has ever heard of
Hehhehheh :)
