LinuxQuestions.org
Latest LQ Deal: Latest LQ Deals
Go Back   LinuxQuestions.org > Forums > Non-*NIX Forums > General
User Name
Password
General This forum is for non-technical general discussion which can include both Linux and non-Linux topics. Have fun!

Notices


Reply
  Search this Thread
Old 01-10-2008, 12:01 PM   #1
bookie
Member
 
Registered: Nov 2006
Location: Sweden
Distribution: Testing just about everything.....Debian still a favourite and now Dreamlinux!!
Posts: 320

Rep: Reputation: 30
Talking Bootsplash


Hi again, I have taken on the task of seeing what interest there is in trying to affect the powers that be to bring back "bootsplash"

Bootsplash, as you know, has been superseded by "splashy" as perhaps the next step in the evolution of bootsplash? I haven't all the details - but thought that maybe we could make a difference in what the developers think and do. Sounds reasonable?

Splashy cuts out the compiling of the kernel which is a blessing for many or is it?

Why do I care about "bootsplash"? I have worked with splashy and, like so many comments about splashy I have read on the NET, doesn't cut it yet!

I find splashy a little untidy and a bit slow which seems to be the general feelings experienced by many of you?

I am asking you for a little of your time and give me a little help!

Post your feelings about whether I am barking up the wrong tree - whatever!!

I will be starting this thread in one form or another at many other forums!

I know there are many of your that find the testing of different distros, software, etc as an important part of the Linux experience?!

Please, please help me to try and keep bootsplash alive!!

Of course, I can't say your responding to my thread as having any effect on the future of bootsplash but maybe?????


bookie
 
Old 01-10-2008, 02:42 PM   #2
gnashley
Amigo developer
 
Registered: Dec 2003
Location: Germany
Distribution: Slackware
Posts: 4,928

Rep: Reputation: 612Reputation: 612Reputation: 612Reputation: 612Reputation: 612Reputation: 612
Well, I've just been working on this this week. actually the original bootsplash code has been staic for a very long time, but a couple of distros have, over the years done their own thing with it -particularly SuSE.
The official versions of bootsplash consisted of two things of course, the kernel patch and the Utilities. For kernel-2.4 the last official patch was version 3.0.7 and for the 2.6 kernels it was 3.1.6. the utilities versions matched these same numbers. But SuSE, Mandrake, debian and others kept adding version numbers in the 3.2 range. Most of these actually only added a small patch or two to the sources, but many changes to the onfig files. SuSE however mase significant changes to the sources of the Utilities with versions 3.2.x and even more in 3.3.x. They also had made some changes to the original 2.4 kernel patches to create version 3.0.9.
Gentoo used version 0.1.6 at some time in the past. I have been able to round up about a dozen different versions the last few months and have been working on consolidating everything that's useful.
I run Slackware and there is zero chance of bootsplash ever being standard in my distro of choice. But many slack users like bootsplash. I've even done what I think no one ever has in Slack -get the boot animations working! I also have come up with a super-patched version of grub which I use that incorporates patches from 7-8 distros and includes very good splash support.

Anyway, no one seems to have minded using the bootsplash name, even though the product was quite different. As far as I can tell, only debian was rigorous about keeping their patches separate from the original sources. The rest just made changes directly to the source files and distributed with whatever version number suited them. I have no qualms about doing it either way really. if the original developers don't want to relinquish the name to someone else it could just simply be forked.

For me bootsplash is not dead -it's just been sleeping. I know that there are now more 'politically correct' solutions that are 'userspace-only' tools, but they can't match the smoothness of the patched kernel.
I have updated the 3.0.9 and 3.1.6 patches to the latest kernels 2.4.36 and 2.6.24. Of course the 2.4 kernels don't pose much of a problem to update anymore since it has become so stable. The 2.6 series still occassionaly needs a bit of shuffling to get things in the right place, since the code gets moved around alot.
the 3.2-ish Utilities work fine with either kernel. The SuSE 3.3-ish versions do also, but they include extra options and functionality not available in most other distros unless they have built off of the SuSE 3.3 versions.

About the user space tools -there is an old program called 'fbv' which is dead simple to implement in user space or in an initrd -much easier than splashy or usplash. One of the frequent contributors to Puppy Linux has done a huge hack of fbv which he calls 'pebble'. I have sources for it but haven't really gotten around to trying it, though I believe in the guys abilities.

I am currently in the process of consolidating all the useful patches for the bootsplash utilities into 2 or 3 soure packages. The old 0.1.6 that gentoo used is still useful and may have some advantage -the 3.2 series had widesspread use and offer the most universal way of implementing in various distros as they were before. The 3.3 from SuSE has significant extra features that make for a larger, more capable splash utility. The latest(or last?) versions integrate the jpeg decoder and mng player into the splash program so that a single binary can be used in an initrd to handle the whole functionality.

So, want to work together or what? I have a whole site dedicated to NotDeadYEt software -I run a pure GTK-1.2 desktop and have 400-500 programs I've collected for it. I'm still keeping stuff up-to-date that has been abandoned for years, but I have the snappiest dektop around -without resorting to the tiny-but-ugly alternatives.
Powers that be? That's you and me and anyone else that will step up to the plate. I just recently forked the installwatch library (now libsentry). The developer/maintainer doesn't respond to e-mails(lately) or fix the bugs(since 2002). I came up with some serious fixes and forked it since I use it with one of my original programs and needed it to just 'work'. if the maintainers of bootsplash don't want to hand over nicely the use of the name or don't answer e-amils, well just keep all changes as patches or change the name.
You're nowhere near the only one who want to see bootsplash stay alive.

You can see some of the stuff I have here:
http://distro.ibiblio.org/pub/linux/...inux/download/

Some of the stuff I am working on the most is not up there yet, but stuff that I have done alot of work on is usually in the Projects area.
Let me know what you think or what you'd like to do about bootsplash, etc. 'pm' me if you like, or e-mail me directly -but put 'bootsplash' in the subject line, please.
 
Old 01-10-2008, 06:22 PM   #3
bookie
Member
 
Registered: Nov 2006
Location: Sweden
Distribution: Testing just about everything.....Debian still a favourite and now Dreamlinux!!
Posts: 320

Original Poster
Rep: Reputation: 30
update

Hi gnashley, wow!! I am still in shock here!You have far exceeded my understanding, knowledge of the life of bootsplash!

I appreciate you taking the time out to respond in such an in depth way!

I am like thousands of others just mere mortals to you guys who have so much knowledge and history with Linux!

I guess that I would like to see the bootsplash project stay alive and continue to develop.

You haven't commented about "splashy"? Maybe we should accept splashy as the future?

I wont lie to you and say that I fully understand everything that you have learned since your early days, but am working hard to try to be capable at the ground level!

Thanks again for your response. I am sure there are similar stories that could make this a very interesting start to something well worth while?

bookie
 
Old 01-11-2008, 03:16 AM   #4
gnashley
Amigo developer
 
Registered: Dec 2003
Location: Germany
Distribution: Slackware
Posts: 4,928

Rep: Reputation: 612Reputation: 612Reputation: 612Reputation: 612Reputation: 612Reputation: 612
I haven't gotten as far as trying to really use splashy, but IIRC it needs DirectFB and also xml libs to work. For a straight splash with no progress bar I think fbv would do fine. And even it could be made to simulat a progress bar I believe. Still, I'm like in thinking that many folks would be quite content to continue using the real bootsplash. The kernnel-patch code itself is quite stable and dependable. And the Utilities also work okay -no matter which version you talk about. The real problem is to keep the configuration methods up-to-date for any distro you want to support.
I only run Slackware so I couldn't do too much to help with other distros except gather the material into one place. But, I plan to provide sources and good documentation to help people set it up themselves no matter which distro they run. If interested users from various distros were to offer to contribute updated init scripts it would make thing easier. The trouble is that without official support from the distros, it takes a fairly advanced user to set it up where it works smoothly. But I have a few ideas on how to make this a little easier for most users to implement.
As it is, one must know how to patch and install a new kernel and if no init script are available for the distro they need to understand how they work ro be able to edit them and insert splash commands. When the distros supported bootsplash, they made this look easy -which actually means that it was pretty complex behind the scenes.
 
Old 01-11-2008, 06:08 AM   #5
bookie
Member
 
Registered: Nov 2006
Location: Sweden
Distribution: Testing just about everything.....Debian still a favourite and now Dreamlinux!!
Posts: 320

Original Poster
Rep: Reputation: 30
Wink update

Hi gnashley, thanks for dropping by again!

Like I said in my previous post my knowledge is very new compared to you guys (quite frightening sometimes)!!

I was on line most of last night because of sleep problems and ended up chatting with one of my new Linux friends in Vancouver Island,BC,Canada. With the nine hour difference between Canada and Sweden - chatting can be a little hard.

I had discussed with him about starting such a thread and (even though I don't want to speak for him) I know he feels the same about bootsplash!! He was also impressed by your commitment!!

To have a central point for collection of all relevant materials is a brilliant idea!! Have to confess that I haven't worked with Slackware so much lately but keep up to date as far as development is concerned (much as humanly possible).

This is my idea behind the thread!! Make this interesting for those that are just coming to Linux (even more of novices than me).

Some of the questions WE (By we I mean all the Linux enthusiasts out there)we need to explain is the simple ones:

What is bootsplash? How does it differ from other forms of splash, etc!!

This must be the way forward!!

For good or bad I am unemployed at the moment and can give a lot of my time (not sure how long that will last though). I am willing to do running around to help the process along (gofer)!!

I am not looking for fame or any type of recognition as to helping this process - just want bootsplash to stay alive!!

We might entice the powers that be at:

http://bootsplash.org/Welcome_to_the...world_of_Linux

to be involved in this quest?!


There is a fountain of knowledge out there and that is what this is all about!!

Been checking out your link!! Wow is the only word I am capable of when I think of the work you have done!!

I know there is a place for bootsplash with you if that is what you are hinting at?

Please tell me what WE can do!!


bookie


Keep in touch
 
Old 01-27-2008, 08:15 AM   #6
zashone
LQ Newbie
 
Registered: Jan 2008
Posts: 10

Rep: Reputation: 0
hi , this my first post ,

I used bootsplash for a while under Debian , Unfortunately i can not find a patch for the 2.6.24 kernel and furthermore since some weeks , Debian updated they initscript package so the rc.diff from bootsplash.de can not be applied against the new rc file so i don t have any progress bar.

Better then looking in the old patch files , i decided to switch to splashy.

Regarding the Roadmap,I think that splashy will be better than bootsplash in some times (vector progrssbar looks awesome) but actually it is full of bug and did not yet reached the level of bootsplash. After installing i had to patch a file caus gdm was crashing. and i ve yet to press a key during bootup for unknow reason.

-Actually i m looking for a 2.6.24 patch and a tutorial to enable the progress bar (manually) by editing the rc file. So if you could help it will be great. gnashley
 
Old 01-28-2008, 07:46 AM   #7
bookie
Member
 
Registered: Nov 2006
Location: Sweden
Distribution: Testing just about everything.....Debian still a favourite and now Dreamlinux!!
Posts: 320

Original Poster
Rep: Reputation: 30
update

Hi zashone, first of all what is the rush? The 2.6.24 kernel has only just come out.

I have been looking at your dilemma regarding the progress bar - which I solved a few weeks ago - but can't lay my hands on the info at the mo.

I will ask you if you have sysv-rc bootsplash installed because if I am not mistaken that is the package that sorts out problems with the progress bar not working!

Have you actually tried to use the old bootsplash diff on the 2.6.24 kernel?

If not, everything is worth trying!

If I can come up with any more info, then I will get back to you.

Not forgetting that you have to choose silent or verbose in boot/grub/menu.list

bookie
 
Old 01-28-2008, 02:16 PM   #8
rickenbacherus
Member
 
Registered: Mar 2003
Location: colorado springs. colorado
Distribution: Debian-Sid 2.6.24-rt1
Posts: 290

Rep: Reputation: 30
bootsplash-3.1.6-2.6.24.diff can be found here:
http://fatcat.ftj.agh.edu.pl/~przybo...er/bootsplash/

It applies nicely and Ingo's rt patch will apply directly behind it (if you want that).

I must agree splashy doesn't compare to bootsplash even if it didn't drop out before the login screen arrived you still do not have a nice image on all your VT's.

Viva bootsplash!
 
Old 01-28-2008, 02:24 PM   #9
trickykid
LQ Guru
 
Registered: Jan 2001
Posts: 24,149

Rep: Reputation: 269Reputation: 269Reputation: 269
bootsplash and eye candy type boot up screens just don't do it for me. Most of the machines I work on never get rebooted, at least not enough to care about what the damn boot process looks like. All I care is, did everything start out [ok] without errors?
 
Old 01-28-2008, 09:54 PM   #10
zashone
LQ Newbie
 
Registered: Jan 2008
Posts: 10

Rep: Reputation: 0
Hi bookie

the sysv-rc package for Debian/testing is broken since a while cause of stupid static (not >= but =) dependencies in it.

Even on the official Debian irc , the guys tell you to switch to splashy.
 
Old 01-28-2008, 11:22 PM   #11
bookie
Member
 
Registered: Nov 2006
Location: Sweden
Distribution: Testing just about everything.....Debian still a favourite and now Dreamlinux!!
Posts: 320

Original Poster
Rep: Reputation: 30
update

Hi zashone, well now I am stumped!! I have the 2.6.23.9 kernel installed and I have progress bar working?

Please don't think this is an obvious statement - but sysv-rc and sysv-rc bootsplash are two different animals!

The latest sysv-rc I have seen via synaptic is 2086.dsl-38
and the sysv-rc bootsplash (progressbar) 1.0.5-4?

You are not confusing the two?

Hi rickenbacherus, I will have to look at your info - thanks!!


And lastly, hi to trickykid. We are all entitled to our opinions, so yours is valid even if bootsplash isn't important for you!

bookie

Last edited by bookie; 01-28-2008 at 11:26 PM.
 
Old 01-30-2008, 12:49 PM   #12
gnashley
Amigo developer
 
Registered: Dec 2003
Location: Germany
Distribution: Slackware
Posts: 4,928

Rep: Reputation: 612Reputation: 612Reputation: 612Reputation: 612Reputation: 612Reputation: 612
I'm just back from 2 weeks vacation -I'll answer the questions over the next couple of days (going through over 2000 e-mails now!). I'll upload the 2.6.24 kernel patch although the one for 2.6.23 may work fine.
Distros which have dropped support for bootsplash (or never included it) will need special measures such as manually editing init scripts, using old patches (or packages) in order to make them work with current releases. I'll be interested in accepting contributions from others who are competent enough to work these things out for a specific distro, in order to make them available for others who are less competent. I'll get back to this thread.
 
Old 01-30-2008, 01:29 PM   #13
bookie
Member
 
Registered: Nov 2006
Location: Sweden
Distribution: Testing just about everything.....Debian still a favourite and now Dreamlinux!!
Posts: 320

Original Poster
Rep: Reputation: 30
update

Welcome back gnashley!! I have tested the new 2.6.24 kernel with the bootsplash from rickenbacherus

http://fatcat.ftj.agh.edu.pl/~przybo...er/bootsplash/

but, as yet, haven't been able to get it to work?

Just wondering if this patch is up to the task?

I had checked all my links and ran # update-initramfs -u

to see how things were. My splash is there but it is throwing a few wobblies about certain things that I haven't the knowledge to deal with such as:

Quote:


/usr/share/initramfs-tools/scripts/functions: line 118: array_bootsplash~=: kommando hittades inte
/usr/share/initramfs-tools/scripts/functions: line 81: ${array_bootsplash~}: bad substitution
/usr/share/initramfs-tools/scripts/functions: line 110: array_bootsplash~=: kommando hittades inte


I don't think I missed anything when compiling and such? This is definately up your alley!!


Let me know what you think when you have time!

bookie
 
Old 02-01-2008, 07:16 AM   #14
gnashley
Amigo developer
 
Registered: Dec 2003
Location: Germany
Distribution: Slackware
Posts: 4,928

Rep: Reputation: 612Reputation: 612Reputation: 612Reputation: 612Reputation: 612Reputation: 612
bookie, you don't mention which distro you are trying that on. It's not enough to just patch and re-compile the kernel. You must also have all the init script patches and in the case you mention the patched update-initramfs as well.
Since I am a Slackware-only kinda guy I can't help much with the specifics -I mean I understand what's going on and have seen the patches (and probably have them) for earlier versions, but I can't update or test these fixes on my Slackware machine. Debian, redhat , mandriva and SuSE all have/had their own way of handling the configuration of bootsplash and the init scripts. They all made it pretty easy for the user -which means that there was lots of busy code behind the scenes doping the hard work. update-initramfs is one of those, which would create a new initrd for you and along with other commands edit your bootloader entries so that you could do the whole thing without really understanding any of it.
If you are using Mandriva/SuSE then you may need to use bootsplash-3.3.x. Otherwise your bootsplash(utilities) version should be 3.2.x.

You may need to download the packages from an earlier version of the distro which included support for bootsplash and then diff the contents against those of the current version in order to create a patch which will provide support in the new version.
The site you linked to has rc and rcS files for debian which may also work with ubuntu. There is also a sysv-init patch around somewhere.

The method I use for bootsplash on Slackware is probably the simplest around, but also requires the most manual intervention to make it work. Once you understand what ios going on you could do basically the same on any system.
 
Old 02-05-2008, 02:44 AM   #15
bookie
Member
 
Registered: Nov 2006
Location: Sweden
Distribution: Testing just about everything.....Debian still a favourite and now Dreamlinux!!
Posts: 320

Original Poster
Rep: Reputation: 30
update

Hi gnashley, first I would like to apologize for not replying sooner. I have been really out of it for the last few days (pain, pain, and more pain).

Secondly, I didn't give you too much to work with!! I have the kde version of Debian 4-0r1.

I might be wrong in saying this but I don't think I need to add the init script patches on Debian?

I patched the kernel with bootsplash and then recompiled and installed it?

I then checked my links to bootsplash which appeared OK but I still had the error mentioned.

As you pointed out, I don't really understand what I am doing, so I will give it a miss. Wouldn't know where to begin to get to grips with all the files involved!!

Perhaps I need to work with another distro where I learn the basics a little more to improve on my understanding of how things work!!

Sorry to have wasted your time.

bookie
 
  


Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off



Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
bootsplash alibaba Linux - Software 3 05-03-2007 12:04 AM
bootsplash terrorisk Linux - Software 1 01-23-2007 06:45 AM
Bootsplash raysr Mandriva 3 05-17-2006 02:41 AM
Bootsplash speedemonV12 SUSE / openSUSE 10 01-07-2006 10:37 AM
bootsplash himm SUSE / openSUSE 8 12-07-2004 03:43 AM

LinuxQuestions.org > Forums > Non-*NIX Forums > General

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:58 AM.

Main Menu
Advertisement
My LQ
Write for LQ
LinuxQuestions.org is looking for people interested in writing Editorials, Articles, Reviews, and more. If you'd like to contribute content, let us know.
Main Menu
Syndicate
RSS1  Latest Threads
RSS1  LQ News
Twitter: @linuxquestions
Open Source Consulting | Domain Registration