XF86Setup -- why not default to defaults

[Austin Hook]

I wonder why, for quick and dirty purposes, XF86Setup does not set up the
XF86Config file with the same defaults it starts with, if, say, you just
go in and set up the mouse.

It would save so much time, because one often has do something quick on an
unknown configuration, if it would just leave X in some minimal mode that
works. Obviously, itself it knows how to do the minimum because it
usually comes up running somehow.

Fine tuning can occur later. It's so frustrating to have to deal with the
whole question right away.

Any thoughts?

Austin Hook
Calgary

[Michael Shalayeff]

re
hmm, usually it asks whether to use existing /etc/XF86Config as the defaults..
so if the answer was given as a `yes' all the existing stuff will be preserved
and only the changes made will be saved.
cu

Making, drinking tea and reading an opus magnum from Austin Hook:

--
paranoic mickey (my employers have changed but, the name has remained)

[Austin Hook]

On Fri, 25 Feb 2000, Michael Shalayeff wrote:
> hmm, usually it asks whether to use existing /etc/XF86Config as the defaults..
> so if the answer was given as a `yes' all the existing stuff will be preserved
> and only the changes made will be saved.

Hi Mickey -- thanks for the feedback: Yes, I agree, but if you have
changed the XF86Config file to something hopeless, then if you tell
XF86Setup not to use the existing file it uses it's own defaults. Why
don't they work then, if you, set up only the mouse, and tell it to save
the result?

Austin

[Michael Shalayeff]

re
ah, right. if you pawnch it too hard XF86Setup has
problems parsing it.
but usually changes like mouse or kbd type, monitor
and card descriptions go through fine, just don't remove
all those comments and order of all.
i think parser is really stupid there....
cu

Making, drinking tea and reading an opus magnum from Austin Hook:
>
>

[Matthieu Herrb]

You wrote (in your message from Friday 25)

>
> I wonder why, for quick and dirty purposes, XF86Setup does not set up the
> XF86Config file with the same defaults it starts with, if, say, you just
> go in and set up the mouse.
>
> It would save so much time, because one often has do something quick on an
> unknown configuration, if it would just leave X in some minimal mode that
> works. Obviously, itself it knows how to do the minimum because it
> usually comes up running somehow.
>
> Fine tuning can occur later. It's so frustrating to have to deal with the
> whole question right away.

This is more or less what happens if you select 'Done' right after
configuring the mouse. There seem to be a few glitches (bugs?) here
however.

- the generated XF86Config has an inconsitant Modelines/Monitor
defaults. This is probably a real bug.
- the Device section doesn't force the Chipset to "generic". This can
be a good thing if you have configured your monitor, because it will
allow better modes than 640x480 if the chipset can be auto-detected.

--
Matthieu