Elks Distribution Edition 0.0.5 released

[Posted December 18, 2002 by corbet]

From:		"Neil Holmes" <neil.holmes@zoom.co.uk>
To:		"Linux 8086" <linux-8086@vger.kernel.org>
Subject:		EDE - 0.0.5
Date:		Wed, 18 Dec 2002 11:04:18 -0000

The Elks Distribution Edition (EDE) 0.0.5 is now ready. Though its not
uploaded yet. Its been so long since I used my ftp space that, I believe, my
password has expired !!! I have requested a new password but, in the
meantime, if anyone particularly would like a copy now then email me and I
will make interim arrangements.

Apologies for the very long delay in release. Its been difficult to spend
time working on it recently for a variety of reasons.

EDE-0.0.5 installs kernel 0.1.1. It also installs from a single floppy disk
once more. Thanks to Harry for his assistance with "rdev" in making this
possible. 0.0.5 will cater for ELKS installation on a primary hard drive
(bda1 through bda4) and can cope with dual-booting using Pascal Bellards
Bootkit. The operating systems that are recognised for co-existance, at this
stage, are DOS and Linux. I have tested for partitions containing all 3 on
one 486 laptop. My test 286 machine dual-boots ELKS and Windows 3.1 (DOS).

I have, for 0.0.5, also upgraded the version of elkscmd programs. I have
taken what was the latest download on sourceforge, namely elkscmd_20020501,
at the time I was building the release.

I have some concerns, still, for the filesystem experts. The install floppy
still boots an older kernel (0.0.82) even though it, ultimately, installs
0.1.1 to the hard drive. This is because I find that kernel more reliable
when it comes to setting up the ELKS partition. I would be very greatful of
some assistance in this area as I am still recommending the hard drive be
initialised using a DOS fdisk for the most reliable results. Apart from
anything else this means that I have to carry two kernels on the install
floppy disk taking up valuable space. Suggestions are greatfully received !

So thats 0.0.5. What next ? I am very open for suggestions as to what I
should be including next. Please email suggestions. Here are some ideas :-

- Install to a secondary hard drive (/dev/bdb1 though /dev/bdb4 - shouldn't
be too difficult)
- Introduce an option to implement elksnet
- Look for cosmetic improvements in the installation

As you can see. I am starting to fish for ideas.

Thanks to all the people who have taken the time to write to me and express
their gratitude for EDE. It makes it all worth while. Maybe it really has
helped convert a few more people to the cause ?

Anyway.

Have fun !

Neil

286?

Posted Dec 18, 2002 18:38 UTC (Wed) by eru (subscriber, #2753) [Link] (3 responses)

Impressive, but how can it run on a 286, expecially
considering the kernel version number (0.1.1)? I always thought the
very early Linux kernels ran only on the 32-bit 386 (and compatibles),
and the 16-bit port (like the other non-386 architectures) came
later. Or are the 16-bit kernel versions numbered separately?

286?

Posted Dec 18, 2002 18:54 UTC (Wed) by proski (subscriber, #104) [Link]

Not only is it numbered separately, but it's also never called Linux kernel, because it's not a Linux kernel.

The homepage of the ELKS is http://elks.sourceforge.net/

ELKS kernel can be downloaded from http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=3232

286?

Posted Dec 18, 2002 18:54 UTC (Wed) by lgb (guest, #784) [Link] (1 responses)

It's simple. Because ELKS _IS_NOT_ Linux at all!!!!! ELKS was developed from almost zero targeting old/weak hardwares (no MMU for example). The project started some years ago. However, the basic structure of ELKS kernel was taken
from Linux, but it's completly different and simplier system, for example it needs bcc to compile it, not gcc.

286?

Posted Dec 19, 2002 1:15 UTC (Thu) by alriddoch (guest, #2249) [Link]

While it is true that the ELKS kernel is a very long way from the
main Linux tree, a very large proportion of the code was copied and adapted from the Linux kernel tree. Some of the developers also relied on Linux kernel documentation and books for their work on ELKS. In short, it is exactly what the acronym says. It is a Linux Kernel Subset.