linux-kernel - Re: [PATCH] psmouse split

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Date:	Wed, 13 Dec 2006 11:43:04 -0500
From:	Andres Salomon <dilinger@...ian.org>
To:	Dmitry Torokhov <dmitry.torokhov@...il.com>
Cc:	linux-kernel@...r.kernel.org, vojtech@...e.cz, warp@...allh.com
Subject: Re: [PATCH] psmouse split

Dmitry Torokhov wrote:
> On 12/13/06, Andres Salomon <dilinger@...ian.org> wrote:
>> Dmitry Torokhov wrote:
[...]
>>
>> If a KVM requires a user to force a standard protocol, I would think
>> that forcing it via psmouse_attr_set_protocol would be a much nicer way
>> than dealing w/ max_proto.  Combine that w/ being able to rmmod specific
>> protocol modules (ie, rmmod psmouse-synaptics if it turns out that
>> detection is incorrectly seeing something synaptics-like).
>>
> 
> That requires changing your init scripts and such. In many instances
> specifying psmouse.max_proto on kernel command line is the easiest
> way.
> 

Init script changing shouldn't be necessary; we have module blacklist stuff.

For example, on an ubuntu system, we have:

/etc/modprobe.d/blacklist

psmouse-foo causing problems?  Just add it in there, and you're good.

I'm not aware of any way to specify values to be set in /sys (similar to
/etc/sysctl.conf), but I'm sure we'll get something sooner or later.

>>
>> > Also, splitting psmouse into several modules as opposed to having
>> monolitic
>> > psmouse with an option to exclude some protocols via Kconfig does
>> not really
>> > buy us anything - because protocol autoload is not possible (we do
>> not know
>>
>> It does; compiling a custom kernel for users is a pain.  However, using
>> a distribution kernel and being able to control specifically which
>> modules are loaded makes life a lot easier (users get security updates,
>> etc).
>>
>>
>> > what protocols port uses until we actually do the probe)
>> distributions will
>> > have to compile and load everything anyway. Custom kernel users will
>> just
>> > have to compile protocols they need into psmouse.
>> >
>>
>> Yes, distributions will have to compile and load everything anyways.
>> However, people who know what hardware they have can then force loading
>> of a specific module, rather than having a monolithic module or having
>> to recompile a custom kernel.
>>
> 
> I would consider this module juggling way over the head for average
> user. I want to have the ability to exclude some protocols from
> psmouse module via Kconfig option, but I want it to be hidden under
> CONFIG_EMBEDDED for everything except very raretic protocols (like
> OLPC).
> 

Alright, I guess we're down to a matter of taste then.  I'll change the
patch to still have a monolithic psmouse that allows protocols to be
enabled/disabled via Kconfig.

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