Linux Kills Ancient x86 Fallbacks
unknownuniverse.uk
As Linux 7.2 makes the Time Stamp Counter mandatory, we look at why dropping legacy x86 fallback timing code is long overdue.

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?

  • mabeledo@lemmy.world
    1·
    2 days ago

    I’m sorry, I thought we were comparing BSD to Linux. And why would I use BSD if there isn’t a single piece of software I need that isn’t available on Linux as well, but others, like Kubernetes, aren’t natively supported on BSD.

    Regardless, nobody cares about dropping 486 support. NetBSD is a novelty OS at best, and FreeBSD, the most popular BSD out there, doesn’t run on 486 since 2024. Nice attempt at trolling tho.

    • tux0r@snac.rosaelefanten.org
      1·
      2 days ago

      NetBSD is a novelty OS at best

      So is Linux, compared to macOS and Windows. You still use it, as it seems to be just enough for your own needs.

      • mabeledo@lemmy.world
        1·
        2 days ago

        Don’t be ridiculous.

        Virtually every SaaS platform runs on Linux. Half of the embedded devices out there run on Linux. 70% of cellphones run on Linux. Essentially, there is no way you would be online without interacting with a Linux-based OS in one way or another.

        Even compared to FreeBSD, NetBSD is more of a niche OS for hobbyists.

        • tux0r@snac.rosaelefanten.org
          1·
          14 hours ago

          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.

          • mabeledo@lemmy.world
            1·
            11 hours ago

            Mine don’t.

            Sorry, me and most people haven’t ever heard of your SaaS platform.

            Source?

            https://counterpointresearch.com/en/insights/global-smartphone-os-market-share

            Compared to Windows, Linux is more of a niche OS for hobbyists. (My everyday device is a desktop, not a router.)

            Then by any means, use Windows.

            Your point is what exactly? Operating systems need a certain market share to be good? Lol. Seriously, just lol.

            Never made that point. 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.

            Enjoy your ~3% niche OS.

            Did I hit a nerve here?

            Anyway, funny that you would want to make that point when you yourself use NetBSD. You and the other five people running it on a desktop computer must be having a lot of fun I suppose.

            • tux0r@snac.rosaelefanten.org
              11·
              7 hours 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 not do that. Because I don’t care about what other 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 is “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 you don’t use Windows?