[Clfs-dev] Grub2 vs Extlinux

[db m]

Joe --

  I'm just about to do a multilib build, so I'm glad to spot this -- tbh, I still prefer
lilo (but that's just me being old-dog) -- wrt this below, I think possibly I look 
at this aspect...

Grub2 Cons >To compile font files, freetype would have to be added to the book

versus

Extlinux Cons > May require nasm 

Either, may require an addition to the book....and if that were so, I think the base
might tolerate nasm, but freetype? ...personally I think that freetype should be 
outside base (always ;)

If then you look at the situation with fb0 devices. PXE nuances etc...at the cost of
a small learning curve, Extlinux sits with me as 'the better choice' here...

/2cents

Don

----------------------------------------
> Date: Sun, 30 Jan 2011 13:46:33 -0500
> From: jciccone at gmail.com
> To: clfs-dev at lists.cross-lfs.org
> Subject: [Clfs-dev] Grub2 vs Extlinux
>
> Both Grub2 and Extlinux have their merit. In the past I've defended
> GRUB. After upgrading to GRUB2 I'm starting to question if my arguments
> for keeping grub were well founded. I wanted to weigh the pros and cons
> between grub2 and extlinux. And determine what would be the better
> bootloader. A few people have suggested that the book go the extlinux
> route now. Any opinions on the matter?
>
> In the end, I like both bootloaders. extlinux is probably more versatile
> in the sense that it can optionally have a menu or not. And how fancy
> you get is simply up to how complex you want to make your configuration.
> I don't see how either one would be more complicated to configure.
>
> Grub2 Pros:
> Supports x86, x86_64, and x86_64-64.
> Automated configuration (Mixed feelings on this, I almost consider it
> a con)
> Automated MBR Installer
>
> Grub2 Cons:
> Issues with framebuffers, I have yet to get this to work predictably
> across a range of systems.
> To compile font files, freetype would have to be added to the book, or
> a link to cblfs.
>
> Extlinux Pros
> Supports x86, x86_64, and x86_64-64
> Supports a wide range of modules
> Much better PXE support for booting.
>
> Extlinux Cons
> May require nasm (I believe only for one of the modules)
> Possibly some users not as familiar with it
> Ext{2,3,4} /boot only (Not sure about anyone else, but I only use ext2
> for /boot).
>
> Penny for your thoughts?
>
> --
> Joe Ciccone
>
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