Re: [PATCH] ip2: use request_firmware()

[Jeff Garzik <jeff@garzik.org>]

Alan Cox wrote:
>> Extracting the firmware:  good
>>
>> Scattering a /single/ driver across multiple directories in the kernel 
>> tree:  bad
> 
> I'd equally argue that putting all the firmware in one place is more
> logical than smearing it around the tree.

Logical for whom?  Drivers have always been self-contained... until now.

This separation certainly does not make things _easier_ for users, our 
reason for existence.  This separation certainly does not make it easier 
to drop in a driver with a firmware, i.e. not easier on driver 
developers.  It is one more PITA detail when copying a driver from one 
kernel to another, or shipping the driver out of tree.

There are good reasons why the Makefile rules, Kconfig rules, C source 
code and headers for a driver all live together...  moving the firmware 
elsewhere is strangely, given that a driver simply /does not work/ 
without the firmware.

I like the goal, but see little effort in the area of "make this 
transition painless for users."

	Jeff