Subject: Re: Bad escriptions in Kconfig

From: Douglas Gilbert <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 31 Dec 2007 10:16:43 -0500

Bodo Eggert wrote:
> In some of the Kconfig files, the options are not adequately decribed. I 
> collected a few of the bad descriptions I found:
> 
> 
> ---
> Lowlevel video output switch controls (VIDEO_OUTPUT_CONTROL) [M/n/y/?] (NEW) ?
> 
> This framework adds support for low-level control of the video
> output switch.
> ---
> 
> - What is THE video output switch and why would I need low level control?
> 
> - Frameworks should be auto-selected like libraries, shouldn't they?
> 
> - WTF is this a module?
> 
> 
> -------------
> ---
> Auxiliary Display support (AUXDISPLAY) [N/y/?] (NEW) ?
> 
> Say Y here to get to see options for auxiliary display drivers.
> This option alone does not add any kernel code.
> ---
> 
> - If I knw what an axilary display was, I would not read this help text!
> 
> - After digging some time, I discovered that all Auxdisplays are parallel 
>   port devices.
>   Rename to "Parallel port display device support"?
> 
> 
> -------------
> ---
> Transformation user configuration interface (XFRM_USER) [N/m/y/?] (NEW)
>   
> Support for Transformation(XFRM) user configuration interface
> like IPsec used by native Linux tools.
> 
> If unsure, say Y.
> ---
> 
> - I'm not sure if these words combine to a sentence.
> - I can't tell if IPSEC is the only user or if I'd break other parts by not 
>   saying 'Y'. OTOH, I don't want to bloat my kernel ...
> - What's a native linux tool?
> 
>   
> -------------
> ---
> SCSI target support (SCSI_TGT) [N/m/y/?] (NEW) ?
> 
> If you want to use SCSI target mode drivers enable this option.
> If you choose M, the module will be called scsi_tgt.
> ---
> 
> What TF is a SCSI target mode, what is a target mode driver?

Heard of google :-)

For explanations of SCSI (and other storage) terminology
reference could be made to SAM-3 or SAM-4 drafts (because
the real standards cost money) at www.t10.org .

Perhaps many other subsections in the kernel could have
similar references.

Doug Gilbert