linux-kernel - Re: Problem with restricted I2C algorithms in kernel 2.6.26!

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Date:	Fri, 25 Jul 2008 23:59:36 -0700
From:	Andrew Morton <akpm@...ux-foundation.org>
To:	"D. Kelly" <user.kernel@...il.com>
Cc:	"mailing list: linux-kernel" <linux-kernel@...r.kernel.org>,
	Jean Delvare <khali@...ux-fr.org>, i2c@...sensors.org
Subject: Re: Problem with restricted I2C algorithms in kernel 2.6.26!

(cc's added)

On Wed, 16 Jul 2008 12:33:57 -0700 "D. Kelly" <user.kernel@...il.com> wrote:

> http://git.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux-2.6.git;a=commitdiff;h=3845de25c5f83cd52729570f7b501679d37ca8de
> 
> The patch at the preceeding url disables the users ability to select
> I2C algorithms.  Specifically the reason stated was:
> 
> "The algorithm drivers are
> helper drivers that are selected automatically
> as needed. There's no point in listing them in the config menu, it can
> only confuse users and waste their time."
> 
> The algorithm drivers will not be 'selected automatically as needed'
> if the user is compiling something outside of the kernel that requires
> them!  Just one example, there are drivers found in the V4L dvb driver
> tree that require i2c bit-banging be enabled.  The drivers are now
> broken because the user is not allowed to enable bit-banging himself.
> The only way around this is to revert the patch manually or enable
> something else in the kernel, that he doesn't need, just to get
> bit-banging.
> 
> It's a very bad idea to assume that nothing built outside of the
> kernel may need i2c algorithms.  Furthermore, the whole point of being
> able to customize your kernel is so you can select only the things
> which you need.  It makes no good sense to intentionally
> disable/restrict the users ability to do so.  Additionally, assuming
> the ability to select i2c algorithms will only confuse the user and
> waste their time is ridiculous.  The user should be allowed to decide
> for himself what he needs regarding this!
> 
> One of the biggest reasons people choose to compile things from
> cvs/svn/mercurial/etc. is because it gives them access to newer bug
> fixes and support for things not yet present in the kernel source.  A
> perfect example, the multiproto dvb driver tree.  Users wanting
> support for dvb-s2 devices have to compile drivers outside of the
> kernel because it's simply not available in the kernel and won't be
> for some time.
> 
> I've contacted one of the i2c subsystem maintainers, Jean Delvare, but
> unfortunately he doesn't seem to care about this problem and his
> advice in dealing with it is to "Just get these drivers merged in the
> kernel. Ah ah ah!"...
> 
> Clearly the more sane and reasonable solution is to not cripple the
> menu options in the first place, especially when it creates no benefit
> and only serves to limit/restrict the users ability to select what he
> needs.  I'm asking that the patch be reverted and anyone in agreement
> to please voice their opinion here in public.
> 
> Best regards,
> -Derek

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