boot banner project

[Mike Edenfield]

Scott Long wrote:

> Is it possible to do this without having to switch to an entirely
> raster-based console?  Raster consoles (like what SuSE uses) have
> been discussed in the past, and the common thinking is that the
> loss in reliability and loss in speed is a significant issue to
> consider.

One possible alternative to an all-out graphics display would be a 
'prettified' text console.  I'm thinking of what Gentoo and older RedHat 
systems did (haven't used RH in years, dunno if this still applies) 
where about 80% of the system log messages are hidden behind a simple 
task list:

Mounting File Systems ... [ok]
Starting xl0          ... [ok]

etc.  With, of course, the obligatory cyan, magenta, and bright green 
colors.  While partly eye candy, I find it much easier to deal with than 
the free-form scrolling you currently get on FreeBSD.  There's 
definitely a different boot-message requirement between a headless 
server, headed (?) server, novice user desktop, advanced user desktop, 
etc.  Currently FreeBSD only gives you three options: Static Graphic, 
Verbose Messages, or *REALLY* Verbose Messages.

My only concern is that the console output, if I have any clue what I'm 
talking about, are not centralized anywhere that could be easily 
modified based on a setting.  Is this correct?

--Mike