[gentoo-user] Re: gigabyte mobo latency

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

Rich Freeman <rich0 <at> gentoo.org> writes:


> So, I realize there are many strong opinions regarding systemd, but
> this comes across a bit like, "one should be well-accustomed to
> building and operating a Linux-From-Scratch installation before one
> attempts to master the (Ubuntu) beast."

Rich, embedded is my background. I'm more of an EE
over the years. so YES, to me it is very important to
understand hardware and the firmwares that allow all
of the OO-gui stuffage that exists (and is wonderfull).

I remember when CS was a group of wacko's down the hall in a closet......

> Sure, all that auto-magic stuff does add complexity, but it does so
> with the goal of standardizing and automating this so that you can use
> the system without having to worry about all the details.  If you are
> running a systemd service you can set the various cgroup controls like
> IO and CPU class/priority in the unit and it will take care of
> managing the cgroup for you.

You have an idealized view of what is going on in the cluster code spaces.
(systemd issue abound aplenty). Folks are  just loading binaries on top
of binaries and look for salvation via config files. As a hardware engineer,
you must have a firm (solid) foundation. Opaqueness does not equal solid.
What linun had  was firm and scope_able. With systemd, I'm not so sure,ymmv.

If the systemd devs and perveyors feel pressure to make systemd a
superior technology; what's wrong with that? I like the promise
of systemd; I *hate* the way it has been jammed down on everyone. That 
sort of approach is certain to illicit a nasty response. Really, we have to
abondon what has worked reasonable well, whilst we tweak something that
is still morpologically a mystery? Now that I'm finally getting around to
learning deeply about cgroups, I like that very very much too. Despite
what many "experts" have said, I think the traditional approach has
a very long life ahead.

OK? so, we do not have to go any deeper into this, do we?


> Certainly learning the nuts and bolts of how it all works is
> worthwhile - I wouldn't be running Gentoo if I felt otherwise.
> However, you really don't have to know how to build your own service
> manager to use one.

Your talking to a guy that used punch cards, wire_wrapped boards
and used seven-segment-LEDs. You sure you want to go this route?
Another old fart I know, build chips that support things that go
beyond mach 7. The old ways are the best ways and one day they
will be "re-discovered", imho. As an embedded-old-fart, I have
boards running 2.2 based linux kernels. I wish LFS had been around
back then..... I got stuff that "bootstraps" a microP with assembler code.


> As far as docs go - what specifically is unclear?  Systemd is rapidly
> evolving so things do get out of date, but for the most part stuff
> like this can be found in man systemd.exec and such.  Lennart's series
> of blog posts on system administration using systemd is a very good
> place to start.

I think once Lennart moves on to something else (as many have pondered)
systemd will become more attractive.   In my youth, I did not understand
'good manners' and lennart epitomizes some episodes in my tempetuous youth I
regret. Somebody needs to leash that guy, imho. He's not great or wonderful.
He is a loose cannon at best. Nothing anyone is going to say, write, or do
will replace the harm he has sowed with his rude manners. HE does not have
the right to play god with the linux kernel. Neither does that idiot Linus,
imho. The kernel belongs to *everyone*.

You and the other systemd (herd/project) dudes are wonderful. Right now, 
I just like openrc/cgroups/assembler and stories from other old_farts.
You young whipper_snappers should be very glad us old farts still hack
and hang out like we do. Kids might look at him and say "Wow". Older folks
just murmur under their breath that this snot_nosed_kid should have been
bitch_slapped by that idiot Linus. He failure to reign in that looser
cannot be white_washed by anyone; so let's just let this go.......
The more I read about the entire affair the more pissed I get. 


peace (at least inside my faraday_cage),
James


[1] http://wiki.gentoo.org/wiki/Project:Systemd