121
Linux 7.2 finally cuts off ancient x86 fallback code (unknownuniverse.uk)
submitted 2 months ago by to c/linux@programming.dev
60 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

Linux 7.2 has landed, dragging x86 timing clean out of the nineties by making the Time Stamp Counter mandatory.

I wrote up a quick article on why ditching those ancient legacy fallbacks is good housekeeping, plus a few other bits like cache-aware scheduling and memory tweaks worth noting.

Is anyone still using legacy hardware? If so, what do you use it for?

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] 18 points 2 months ago (30 children)

Lots of retro enthusiasts still use legacy hardware for all sorts of reasons... I fear that a fork of the kernel will be necessary in the near future to keep these machines running.

The notion of using Linux to revive old hardware and keep it out of the landfill may not last forever...

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • hideshow 30 child comments
    •
  • [–] 10 points 2 months ago* (7 children)

    And why do they need to use the latest Linux kernel for that hardware, again?

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 7 child comments
    •
  • [–] 3 points 2 months ago* (6 children)

    Security updates if you use it online or copy new binaries to run on it. Even if you're not worried about hackers, there can still be viruses and malware that destroy your data.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 6 child comments
    •
  • [+] 6 points 2 months ago (5 children)
    [deleted]
  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 5 child comments
    •
  • [–] 1 point 2 months ago (18 children)

    Just use NetBSD and never look back :)The notion of using Linux to revive old hardware and keep it out of the landfill may not last forever…Linux supports less old hardware than its competitors.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 18 child comments
    •
  • [+] 4 points 2 months ago (13 children)
    [deleted]
  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 13 child comments
    •
  • [–] 1 point 2 months ago (8 children)

    You can (compile and) run almost all Linux software on the BSDs.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 8 child comments
    •
  • [+] 1 point 2 months ago (7 children)
    [deleted]
  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 7 child comments
    •
  • [–] 1 point 2 months ago (6 children)

    FreeBSD's jails are pretty interesting though, so is NetBSD's rump kernel. But my point was (especially older) hardware support, not software support. If all you care about is the sheer number of available applications, Windows is there for you. 😉Your post that it was "not even close" is misleading at best and utterly wrong in total.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 6 child comments
    •
  • [+] 1 point 2 months ago (5 children)
    [deleted]
  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 5 child comments
    •
  • [–] 1 point 2 months ago (4 children)

    NetBSD is a novelty OS at bestSo is Linux, compared to macOS and Windows. You still use it, as it seems to be just enough for your own needs.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 4 child comments
    •
  • [+] 1 point 2 months ago (3 children)
    [deleted]
  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 3 child comments
    •
  • [–] 1 point 2 months ago (2 children)

    Virtually every SaaS platform runs on Linux.Mine don't.70% of cellphones run on Linux.Source?Even compared to FreeBSD, NetBSD is more of a niche OS for hobbyists.Compared to Windows, Linux is more of a niche OS for hobbyists. (My everyday device is a desktop, not a router.) Your point is what exactly? Operating systems need a certain market share to be good? Lol. Seriously, just lol.Enjoy your ~3% niche OS.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 2 child comments
    •
  • [+] 1 point 2 months ago (1 child)
    [deleted]
  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 1 child comment
    •
  • [–] 0 points 2 months ago

    Sorry, me and most people haven’t ever heard of your SaaS platform.Ok. Enjoy being where most people are (Microsoft 365?).Then by any means, use Windows.I will do that. Because I don't care about what people use. I want my software to make my life easier. If there are only three people alive who use a good software, I still wouldn't want to use worse software.What I said is that NetBSD is a niche OS for hobbyists, and that if I wanted to run Linux software, instead of relying on emulation, I would rather just use Linux.Name one Linux software that actually "Linux software" in opposite to "Unix-like software" and/or "cross-platform software".Did I hit a nerve here?My laughing nerve is, indeed, somewhat sore now.You and the other five people running it on a desktop computer must be having a lot of fun I suppose.So your point is that you prefer mainstream software over good software? Are you sure that don't use Windows?

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • [–] 1 point 2 months ago* (3 children)

    But NetBSD and FreeBSD can run Linux software as well?

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 3 child comments
    •
  • [–] 1 point 2 months ago (3 children)

    I don't know why you're getting downvoted?

    NetBSD

    OpenBSD

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 3 child comments
    •
    • load more comments (1 reply)