OSS driver removal, 2nd round (v3)
Now that I've sent the first round of actually removing the code for OSS drivers where ALSA drivers without regressions exist for the same hardware, it's time for a second round amongst the remaining drivers.
Removing OSS drivers where ALSA drivers for the same hardware exists has two reasons:
1. remove obsolete and mostly unmaintained code
2. get bugs in the ALSA drivers reported that weren't previously reported due to the possible workaround of using the OSS drivers
The list below divides the OSS drivers into the following three categories:
1. ALSA drivers for the same hardware
2. ALSA drivers for the same hardware with known problems
3. no ALSA drivers for the same hardware
The proposed timeline is:
- 2.6.18: let the drivers under 1. in the list below depend on OSS_OBSOLETE_DRIVER
- 2.6.20: remove the options depending on OSS_OBSOLETE_DRIVER
- 2.6.22: remove the code for the drivers that were depending on OSS_OBSOLETE_DRIVER from the kernel tree
To make a long story short:
If you are using an OSS driver because the ALSA driver doesn't work equally well on your hardware listed under 1. below, send me an email with a bug number in the ALSA bug tracking system now.
A small FAQ:
Q: But OSS is kewl and ALSA sucks!
A: The decision for the OSS->ALSA move was four years ago.
If ALSA sucks, please help to improve ALSA.
Q: What about the OSS emulation in ALSA?
A: The OSS emulation in ALSA is not affected by my patches
(and it's not in any way scheduled for removal).
Please review the following list:
1. ALSA drivers for the same hardware
DMASOUND_PMACSOUND_ACI_MIXER and RADIO_MIROPCM20SOUND_AD1816SOUND_AD1889SOUND_ADLIBSOUND_EMU10K1SOUND_FUSIONSOUND_NM256SOUND_OPL3SA2
2. ALSA drivers for the same hardware with known problems
SOUND_CS4232
- ALSA #1520 (Soundchip was not detected on HP Omnibook 5700 CTX)
SOUND_ES1371
- ALSA #1774 (missing joystick connector support for PCI Ensoniq ES1371)
SOUND_ICH
- ALSA #1764 (Recording signal quality is inacceptable (using OSS API))
- Alan Cox:
ALSA driver lacks "support for AC97 wired touchscreens and the like"
SOUND_SSCAPE
- ALSA #2234 (driver does not find Soundscape Elite)
SOUND_TRIDENT
- ALSA #1293 (device supported by OSS but not by ALSA)
- maintainer of the OSS driver wants his driver to stay
SOUND_VIA82CXXX
- ALSA #1906 (1-second overruns reported by arecord, complete system hang with jackd -d alsa)
3. no ALSA drivers for the same hardware
DMASOUND_ATARIDMASOUND_PAULADMASOUND_Q40SOUND_AEDSP16SOUND_AU1550_AC97SOUND_BCM_CS4297ASOUND_HAL2SOUND_KAHLUASOUND_MSNDCLASSOUND_MSNDPINSOUND_MSS (also due to SOUND_PSS, SOUND_TRIX and perhaps SOUND_AEDSP16) SOUND_PASSOUND_PSSSOUND_SB (also due to SOUND_KAHLUA, SOUND_PAS and perhaps SOUND_AEDSP16) SOUND_SH_DAC_AUDIOSOUND_TRIXSOUND_VIDCSOUND_VRC5477SOUND_VWSNDSOUND_WAVEARTIST
SOUND_IT8172
- Ralf Baechle:
Both board based on the ITE 8172 chipset are on my death list already; I will probably remove it after 2.6.18 is out unless against all expectation I receive patches.