old pc's are better supported by the linux kernel

Forum: User Feedback
Topic: old pc's are better supported by the linux kernel
started by: monkeyweb

Posted by monkeyweb on Aug. 16 2007,13:18

why old pc's are better supported by the linux kernel?
i'm not purchase a new pc,because linux kernel have only partial support of it.
best supporto is when install dsl on an intel 586 (pentium1).

Posted by curaga on Aug. 16 2007,14:20

Because they are new. It takes time to create drivers, and many companies do not release information for new devices, result being that many new devices have drivers in Windows only..

Posted by tinker on Aug. 16 2007,14:26

Quote (monkeyweb @ Aug. 16 2007,09:18)

why old pc's are better supported by the linux kernel?
i'm not purchase a new pc,because linux kernel have only partial support of it.
best supporto is when install dsl on an intel 586 (pentium1).

The linux kernel can only support hardware that was available at the time when that version of the kernel was coded. No way for the developers to know about hardware that had not yet been created. Hence, sometimes one must load a module that has been created for a newer piece of hardware or use a wrapper. If you think about it, it makes sense.

There is lots of equipment that is newer than P1 which is supported well in the 2.4 series version of the kernel and more that is supported in the 2.6 series (which is available in DSL-N or through the ways documented by posters in the forum archives). It certainly is possible to go out and buy equipment that is not yet supported by the Linux kernel but why would you choose do that, there are lists of what equipment works with the Linux kernel out on the Internet. Keep in mind the mission of DSL is to have a small footprint and make old equipment with low resources work in today's bigger, faster, more, environment. Something it does very well. Robert has done a lot to add support and is continually working to do so, other members of the DSL community have contributed their efforts for hardware that they personally have in their system.

Well, yes, DSL with the stock 2.4 kernel does work well on a Pentium (whether the classic P or the P w/mmx. Or an AMD k6 or VIA C7 It'll also work on a 486. It will also work on a P3, K6-2, etc. It does the job it was coded for and, I think, it does it well.

What new equipment do you want to purchase? It is possible you may want to use a different distro with new equipment. Many new features and newer versions of applications can be available, that way. Even things that would bog down old equipment that some of us use. DSL makes that old equipment run fast enough to be useable.

Posted by tinker on Aug. 16 2007,15:09

An addition.

Does anyone reading this thread speak or write Italian? If monkeyweb has to run our comments through a translation website, some of the content may be lost or obscured.

Posted by curaga on Aug. 16 2007,15:11

Ciao. Not really, beside that I can count to ten

Posted by tinker on Aug. 18 2007,11:07

Sono il monkeyweb spiacente, ho chiesto se c'ero nessuno qui che scrive italiano cosí potrebbe tradurre migliore di lei avendo per usare un sito web di traduzione ma la sola persona che ha risposto giusto ha fatto uno scherzo. Spero che lei ha capito che ho scritto. Tutta il posso fare è corso questo attraverso un luogo di traduzione, userò lo stesso un lei ha menzionato sopra sul foro di cucciolo. Deve essere lavorare difficile sulle cose di technicial in una lingua che lei ha tradurre.

tinker