[ubuntu-art] usplash improvements

[Michiel Sikma]

On Jun 23, 2006, at 11:32 PM, Mark Shuttleworth wrote:

> Michiel Sikma wrote:
>> It seems that a bunch of specs have been changed into "obsolete"  
>> because apparently a new usplash is in the making. Exactly what  
>> will the capabilities of this new usplash be? Is there any place  
>> where I can follow its development or learn about Edgy planned  
>> features? I'm interested in doing usplash artwork so I would like  
>> to make a draft that makes use of the new capabilities.
>
> I know Frank and Scott discussed this at some length.
>
> At the moment, the only way we can offer suspect AND a boot splash  
> is by using the vga16 framebuffer driver. This limits the splash  
> image to 640x400 and 16 colours. It is possible to use a higher  
> resolution and colour, but then you cannot also offer suspend on  
> laptops.
>
> Basically, unless someone knows how to rewrite the kernel to be  
> able to UNLOAD the higher resolution framebuffer driver modules  
> after they are loaded, we are stuck with this limitation because we  
> want to continue to offer great laptop suspend.
>
> Now, there is some good news, in that we will eliminate the  
> scrolling text from the boot. And the boot will be faster. So  
> overall, we should be able to offer a slick boot experience even  
> with the low resolution splash.
>
> Mark

I must say that I agree with this. Having a nicer boot image is nice,  
but it's nowhere near as important as suspend.

Can't wait to hear about the new capabilities of usplash, then.

Michiel Sikma
michiel at thingmajig.org