linux-ext4 - Re: [PATCH] ext4: add optional rotating block allocation policy

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Message-ID: <9e520492-9b26-487f-9d60-7e0625c987c9@rocketmail.com>
Date: Sun, 8 Feb 2026 12:47:12 +0100
From: Mario Lohajner <mario_lohajner@...ketmail.com>
To: Theodore Tso <tytso@....edu>
Cc: Baokun Li <libaokun1@...wei.com>, adilger.kernel@...ger.ca,
 linux-ext4@...r.kernel.org, linux-kernel@...r.kernel.org,
 Yang Erkun <yangerkun@...wei.com>, libaokun9@...il.com
Subject: Re: [PATCH] ext4: add optional rotating block allocation policy

My review of our debate boils down to this UX image:

You provided excellent facts, articles, knowledge, and insights about
the design of systems around us. That is our reality frame -there is no
point in denying any of it.
That makes it a very powerful lever, a tool - let’s call it "a spoon",

Now, someone has a different dish on the table, and they really need
"a fork".
Instead of giving them the fork, we hand them a very powerful and rigid
spoon and say:
“Listen, here is a spoon. Try bending it a little and it should work!”

Someone comes forward with a fork, saying:
“Here is 'my fork'. I believe it may work well for 'some dishes'.”

I'm *really not* trying to bend the spoon here,
I *could* be asking if there is a spoon at all, but,
instead; I am simply showing you my fork, considering if it can be
helpful with some dishes.

 From that moment on, every discussion about "the spoon", of the
future and the past, condenses to this statement:
“Oh, 'the spoon' doesn’t work very well for you?
That’s fine - here's 'a fork'. Try using that for 'your dish'.”

Is the fork strictly essential? — maybe not, but it’s a valid option
that makes life a little easier for many of us.
Can you hurt yourself with a fork more easily? — maybe so; some care
and understanding are required
(hence disabled by default!)

Signing off,
manjo

If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
(...fingernail included?!)