Hi folks 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 [1]: Mainly the kernel, generic tools (s390-tools), hardware support (sysconfig-hardware) and a whole bunch of debian-installer packages. [2]: <20090524185816.GA21482@wavehammer.waldi.eu.org> [3]: <20090818204335.GA6874@droopy.oc.cox.net> -- It would be illogical to assume that all conditions remain stable. -- Spock, "The Enterprise Incident", stardate 5027.3
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