[Linux-fbdev-devel] Future of Framebuffer

[Chris W. <cw...@so...>]

This is somewhat ironic, but a friend of mine and myself have been
recently pondering vast extentions into the /dev/fb device.
Basically, we see it as a great device already.  (a simple pointer to
screen memory is all a graphics programmer ever wants).  however, most new
hardware usually supports some form of 2d and 3d acceleration.
unfortunately, these are seldom/never used in linux unless you have a card
that is supported, and then, only if you use X, which defeats the purpose
of /dev/fb.   we are proposing that a standard suite of ioctl's get added
to aid in acceleration.  of course, the basic driver would be a simple
vesafb driver plus software accelerations.  as cards are added, and
drivers are ported, they could be used in the software's place.  This
would make the hardware usable by anything, not just stuff in X, which
seems like a Good Thing to me :^)

so, is it a completly idiotic idea, or is there some potential here?

	Computers are useless.  They can only give you answers.
        	        -- Pablo Picasso