X.org: Flicker-Free Boot by Migrating Mode Settings
The X.org developers are working on moving a less prominent component from userspace to kernel space: mode setting controls.
In contrast to the trend of migrating functions from kernel to userspace, some X.org developers are working on moving mode setting controls into the kernel. This approach will lead to improved, flicker-free boot behavior among other things. The mode settings code is responsible for changing to and returning from suspend state and for the change to and from the graphical interface on the virtual terminal. These changes will benefit most from migrating the code. The ugly switch between different resolution modes will disappear, avoiding driver-specific freezes at the same time.
The drawback with the new mode settings is that they are currently only available for Intel's GMA 915 graphics chipset – the manufacturer took an active role in development. However, work is in progress on kernel space drivers for ATI Radeon chips.
More drivers may be added before the new feature makes the kernel. The developers have not yet introduced the mode settings code to the mainline kernel, and do not anticipate doing so before the end of the Linux 2.6.26 merge window. The next kernel 2.6.27 seems a more reasonable target. Interested users can still grab a sneak preview of the new feature; the next generation of Fedora Core 9 will include the Intel kernel space driver.
Tag Cloud
News
-
Google and NASA Partner in Quantum Computing Project
Vendor D-Wave scores big with a sale to NASA's Quantum Intelligence Lab.
-
Mageia Project Announces Mageia 3 Linux
Many package updates and Steam integration highlight the latest from the Mandriva-based community Linux.
-
FSF Outs the World Wide Web Consortium over DRM Proposal
Richard Stallman calls for the W3C to remain independent of vendor interests.
-
Debian 7.0 Debuts
The new release supports nine architectures, 73 human languages, and zero non-Free components.
-
Alpha Version of Fedora 19 Released
Fedora developers release the first alpha version of Fedora 19, known as Schrödinger’s Cat, for general testing. The final release is expected in July 2013.
-
ack 2.0 Released
ack is a grep-like, command-line tool that has been optimized for programmers to search large trees of source code.
-
SUSE Studio 1.3 Released
New features in SUSE Studio 1.3 include enhanced cloud integration, VM platform support, and lifecycle management.
-
Xen To Become Linux Foundation Collaborative Project
The Linux Foundation recently announced that the Xen Project is becoming a Linux Foundation Collaborative Project.
-
RunRev Releases Open Source Version of LiveCode
Open source version of LiveCode is now available for developing apps, games, and utilities for all major platforms.
-
OpenDaylight Project Formed
OpenDaylight is an open source software-defined networking project committed to furthering adoption of SDN and accelerating innovation in a vendor-neutral and open environment.