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?

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

          FreeBSD’s jails are pretty interesting though, so is NetBSD’s rump kernel. But my point was (especially older) hardware support, not software support. If all you care about is the sheer number of available applications, Windows is there for you. 😉

          Your post that it was “not even close” is misleading at best and utterly wrong in total.

            • tux0r@snac.rosaelefanten.org
              1·
              29 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.

                • tux0r@snac.rosaelefanten.org
                  1·
                  28 days 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.