[gentoo-user] Re: rsync internal mirror configuration

[James <wireless@tampabay.rr.com>]

Dave Nebinger <dnebinger <at> joat.com> writes:



> Yes but we get back to the point that I had been trying to make - the
> embedded devices (even nanobots) would not need to build from source.  I
> know if I had embedded nanobots I would want them focusing on the job they
> were embedded for, not recompiling source from the latest software updates.

> That's the distinction between a source based an binary based distribution.
> Use the source based distro to optimize for hardware then that is the
> template for the binary based distro to the embedded systems.

Well you may be right the majority of the time, but as complex sytems grow
and the number of difference in peripherals, sensors, and other variable
hardrware details, make issuing a single binary for upgrade, problematic.
Just like the kernel on a workstation can be compile specifically for a 
target mix of devices and the applications then are compiled, sometimes
dependant on the kernel/rtos/executive/statemachine details for the binaries that
result. Furthermore, often you are resource constrained on an embedded
micro:timing, interrupts, code space, processor, cache, or ram limits
(just to name a few). It's very common, particulary in the 8/16 bit micro
world to make sifnification changes to the statemachine, just because
the bloating of features has now created performance or code space issues.
Often, Ansi C code is replaced with assembler to compact the executables.

You have a valid point, but, things are more complicated than that. Often
haredware gets replaced or upgraded because the increasing diversity of
the code bloats beyond what the resources can handle. Hareware designers
often screw up the amount of computational resources needed on an embedded
device.  That's way so many Cell phones are thrown away each year, they
cannot properly handle software (rtos and apps) upgrades....

Statistically you are correct. In actuality, a significant and growing protion
of embedded devices lack the ability (resources) to have their software upgraded
or not viable mechanism (like attaching your gameboy to a linux system)
exists to extend the life of the micro based product.....

Think about it. Microsoft and the OS vendors are abandoning  586, p1 and 
p2 machines in droves. Yet linux/BSD et. al. offer extended life to
these aging machines. Embedded devices are only limited by the
forward thinking of their designers.....

Besides what else would I do with my fleeting free time?

James



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