Re: Tasks list for GNU Mach

[Bas Wijnen]

On Wed, Dec 21, 2005 at 03:43:56PM +0100, Alfred M. Szmidt wrote:
>    There are some problems with Mach which seem very hard or even
>    impossible to fix without using a new microkernel.
> 
> Impossible it is not, very hard it is or might be, but so is porting
> to a new kernel, which is infact even harder.

That depends on your definition of what a new microkernel is.  If the changes
you need to make are very fundamental, the result is arguably a new
microkernel.

>    For that reason, we are looking at other microkernels.  We were
>    planning to use L4, but it seems it will be something else (either
>    a successor of L4, or Coyotos, yet another microkernel).
> 
> "We" does not include the majority of the Hurd developers and hackers,
> only a very few people.

Unfortunately, "the majority of Hurd developers or hackers" is only very few
people.  I do not know how many of them are interested in the new microkernel.
I know I am.  I did not intend to suggest that "the Hurd community" was
looking for other microkernels.  I see this was a bit confusing.  Thank you
for clarifying.

> As it is now, GNU Mach is the primary kernel that is being worked on for the
> Hurd, not L4, not Coyotos, and not some other microkernel;

Indeed.  But of course people who want to work only on the "new" Hurd are
welcome to help there as well.

> this is how it will be until the day when this new fork of the Hurd is a
> viable choice for people to use (and not only to hack on).

The current Hurd (on Mach) is not in that state yet, missing too many drivers
(in particular usb and sound drivers).

For me, the future about all this is much too blurry to make claims about what
will be the primary kernel when.

Thanks,
Bas

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