I'll give distcc another go tomorrow probably. As for its -j switch, how does that work with cores/threads? For example, if I'm just using disctcc with just the master (the Z) and 1 client that is a quad core (or octacore w/ HT) CPU then what do I set -j to? 3, 6 or 10?
The Linux wireless docs mention extracting the libertas firmware but I've not been able to find a working link to the source required to do this.
How do I enable VT switching? I could do with setting up a keybinding to page up/down through the console output too. I prefer that to using less or more.
I've tried a few (SDL) emus but none have worked outside of X yet and seeing as I've not put any effort into configuring X yet I can't use them anyway. I don't think we're going to get passable framerates at VGA res or under X anyway so I'm hoping to get advancemame, VBA etc running under QVGA (320x240) SDL using the framebuffer. Would you know if this is possible with the SDL from the Arch repos of if'll we'll need to build a custom SDL to get QVGA working? What would you use to test SDL QVGA FB output?
I know pdaXii13's SDL could manage QVGA under the console but I've not been able to find the source and the zgrom author hasn't responded to my enquiry about his distros SDL.
Thanks
Hi danboid.
QVGA in console : first install fbset : "pacman -S fbset" and create a new file fb.modes with contents shown below :
/etc/fb.modes
mode "qvga"
# D: 7.428 MHz, H: 22.787 kHz, V: 70,547 Hz
geometry 240 320 240 320 16
timings 134617 20 46 1 0 20 2
accel true
endmode
mode "vga"
# D: 51.991 MHz, H: 75,252 kHz, V: 116,851 Hz
geometry 480 640 480 640 16
timings 19231 46 125 1 0 40 3
accel true
endmodeafter this you should be able to switch to QVGA in the console by using "fbset qvga" and back with "fbset vga"
SDL : to get QVGA in SDL you need SDL with a fbcon or/and directfb backend compiled in. I used to compile my SDL from source under debian to get that functionality. Arch may have directfb and fbcon support already enabled. You will need to set SDL_VIDEODRIVER=fbcon and SDL_VIDEO_FBCON_ROTATION=CW before starting the SDL application in the console. Advancedmame may have inbuilt rotation that is faster than the software SDL/FBCON rotation. Some emulators use rotated "blitting" that is much faster. I have no experience with AdvancedMame but I compiled the game "Flashback" for the Z to run in pure console with SDL fine. I also got "Decent" working but had issues with mouse support under console.
DISTCC : You need to set DISTCC_HOSTS="yourfastcomputer/4" then it will accept 4 threads at the same time. Keep in mind the Z will do all the preprocessing and I had issues with more than 2 preprocessors running on the Z and big compiles. The Z would run out of memory. I suggest to do -j2 to be safe, but you can try higher. You will notice the fast computer will wait a lot for the Z to preprocess and then compile the file. That waiting makes it slow, but still faster than on the Z alone. There exists now a "pump mode" for distcc, so all compilation is done on the hosts. However I have not used this as this mode can cause issues.
VT Switching : under my console keymap it is "Fn" + Left / Right to change a VT. I use "screen" alot when working in the console and all F keys work by using Fn+Number. Also scrolling in console content within "screen" works. To enter screen copy mode press CTRL-a and then ESC (Cancel).
Firmware : You may have luck posting on the libertas mailing list or find a freenode channel and ask the developers about your issue. Extracting the firmware might be something worth trying.
Xorg Keymap : I have not found my keymaps for Xorg, but must have some from Debian somewhere. pdaxrom and debian used Xfbdev a simple minimal X server and not full Xorg. I am sure you find some keymap files in a pdaxrom image ?
