| Iceman 2004-11-13, 5:45 pm |
| On Sun, 14 Nov 2004 07:22:26 +1100, Erik de Castro Lopo wrote:
> Charles Prudhomme wrote:
>
> Linux already supports the Intel's Hyperthreading CPUs, SMP and and NUMA
> systems. What makes you think that Linux won't support massive multi-threading
> when the chips become available?
>
> Erik
Do you have any clue what SMT is all about?
They were slow to even recognize this, RH was the first to support it in
some fashion as Intel worked with them on it, everybody else was years
behind and it is still not fully implemented.
The words of warning were to start now, not five years from now. This also
applies to software programmers and threading. Unless the framework is
setup properly then what good is it if the software does not use it
properly?
Linux is always slow to react. Largely in part because everyone is focused
on existing projects, and largest use audience. Somewhat because it was
server oriented and the high tech crap didn't matter much other than SCSI
stuff.
Linus did start a massive overhaul of the OS which is still a WIP and I am
not sure how forward compatible it is.
Unless the community somehow bands together and creates a R&T group fully
focused on HW, then it will fall way behind in the open/free area's. The
only ones that might advance are the major players that are commercialized.
Even those will be limited unless they can get Linus and group to work on
"private" projects for the commercial distro's.
WTH it will work on older hdwe and that is all most of the cheap bastards
are running anyhow until their chit breaks and they can't repair the system
any longer.
Perhaps govt funded projects like in Germany, etc. may be the only way to
keep it up to speed in a timely fashion. However, would you be willing to
trust this in the hands of any govt?
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