--- In "Anouk Ahamitet" <> wrote:
> I don't disagree. I just don't believe that I'm asking fundamental
> linux questions, I'm trying to get specific information about
> collections of open source things that TechnoLogic assembled and
> released to work with their hardware, things that are custom to the
> way they packaged everything together.
>
> My issue comes from the fact that every single open source package
> I've used included some basic documentation on its use (even if only
> adding --help to a command line) and either an installation
> program/script and/or detailed installation instructions. So far,
> about all I've been able to get about the TS-Linux system is that it
> is derived from Debian, which is about as useful as an English
> dictionary that only says "English has some Latin roots". Where's the
> documentation listing the things left out? The things added (if any)?
Read the source. The scripts are there. It's not a binary blob; the
source *is* the documentation.
> The things changed (e.g. replacing most, if not all, tools with
> BusyBox)?
That's pretty standard with an embedded environment.
> Documentation extra/special commands/scripts added (or at
> lest a list of them and what they're for)?
OK, that's reasonable. There is a lot left undocumented. But I find
that with my Debian server installation. And don't even get me
started on what passes for docs in the Windows world.
> And the same is true for the cross-compile environment -- the only
> instructions I've seen for using it are "untar the files" and "there
> are some scripts to set things". The layout and to some extent the
> usage, of the cross-compile system was created by TechnoLogic to
> support the TS-Linux created (well, configured and built) by
> TechnoLogic. If it comes from somewhere else, please provide a link
> and I'll ask the creators for documentation and assistance.
Dan Kegel's crosstools - again, really standard in the embedded world.
>
> When I built a tiny, embedded linux (derived from a generic kernel, in
> my case) for an older hardware project I had to document both the
> construction of the kernel, the special scripts/commands I added to
> support our device, and the cross-compile environment where it was
built.
>
> > I think you will find it hard to find any other embedded linux SBC
> > supplier who provides more free (as in beer) information and help
> > than TS does.
>
> Sad, isn't it? Given how many advertise that their hardware runs or
> supports (or is supported by) linux, you'd think one or more would
> have lots of expertise, a well documented system and be eager to help
> customers trying to use their hardware.
Honestly, it sounds like you want something for nothing. TS sells
bare metal at bare metal prices. You want a fully developed solution
at bare metal prices. Ain't gonna happen.
TS is a hardware company. They build bare metal boards. They sell
bare metal very cheaply. What you or I do with the board is up to us.
TS provides what software support it does just to test the
feasibility of linux on their boards. They make those results
available, good or bad. They're very open about what works and what
doesn't.
They cannot (and should not, IMHO) provide support for software for
free - because then the price of their boards would be out of my
reach. Embedded design is, by definition, custom. If you want custom
support, then you hire an embedded programmer to support you, or you
pay $1,500 per board to Versalogic.
Otherwise, you want support for Busybox, visit the busybox project,
and so on.
TS has the best customer support for programmers right here in this
users' group. This group was one of the main reasons we went with TS.
--Yan
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