> > The s390 port was released with Lenny. However it is not in the best > condition. There are mainly two problems which needs attention, lack of > manpower and a 64 bit userland. > > The first problem is the worst. Currently only Frans Pop and I do work > on it. Frans only does the Debian-Installer part and I simply have not > enough time to do the rest. The s390 architecture is quite different to > anything else, so it needs several specialized packages to work[1] and > they need lasting attention. So if anyone wants to help (especially > Debian developers) for the continuity of this port please speak up. > > The second problem is not that critical. No other distribution still > supports a complete 31 bit s390 userland and even Debian dropped the 31 > bit kernel support in the meantime[2]. Strategies for an upgrade to a 64 > bit userland was discussed lately[3]. > > I doubt that I would be able to push this port through another release > in the current state. The consequence would by that the port dies > completely and with it the only free and released distribution for this > machines. > > Bastian
That would be awful! As you mentioned, Debian is the only remaining viable, non-commercial distribution of Linux for s390. And it would be a blow to Debian's goal of being "The Universal Operating System", as they advertise on their home page. I'd like to help. What can I do? I'm not a Debian developer or package maintainer. I'm an IBM mainframe system programmer, with both MVS and VM responsibilities. I'm good with S/390 assembler language, but I can't even spell C. I can test things for you. And I have some time on my hands. (Don't tell my boss I said that!) How can I help? -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [email protected] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [email protected]
