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John von Neumann
It would appear that we have reached the limits of what it is possible to achieve with computer technology, although one should be careful with such statements, as they tend to sound pretty silly in 5 years.
(Said in 1949)
(Said in 1949)
ext3 "data loss" possible in 2.4.20: news.com
Sat, 12/07/2002 - 11:38 — charlie.collins
Linux susceptible to data loss? News.com has a very hyped article detailing a minor and obscure bug in ext3 on 2.4.20. If the filesystem is disconnected the last 30 seconds of data could be lost. The article does detail that Linux programmers are doing a better job of formal testing and tracking but the headline and connotation is that Linux has data problems, a data loss "affliction" in fact, and thats just not true.
Checkit via the link. Data-loss bug afflicts Linux: news.com
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Comments
Re: ext3
ok, while I, as always, appreciate your vigor in standing up for poor little linux, this type of problem *is* a big deal. Ext3 is a journaling file system who's sole purpose of existance is to what? That's right, preserve data in case of Bad Things Happening.
Now, lets just assume that your company did NOT shell out the big bucks for one of the big boys' journalling FS on the big, expensive OS. Instead they chose to go the "better" open-source, cheaper, blah, blah route and then this 'obscure' bug bit them. Seeya Linux. Been nice knowinya. Seeya IT dude who stuck his neck out. This kind of bug is precisely the kind that Linux, as the underdog, can't have.
It's gotta be better, faster, cheaper, and at least as safe as the big expensive stuff. Fair? not quite. Realistic, I believe so.
Re: ext3
Oh i agree, it is a big deal. Its not a "data loss bug that afflicts linux" though. Its a data loss bug that *can* affect ext3 on a specific new kernel 2.4.20 (which none of the distros are using) AND if it is setup in a very specific non standard way. Its a valid issue alright, its just not across the board LINUX LOSES DATA!!!! Thats whats overboard.
I use ext3 extensively. I have a rack full of servers at a colo facility using it and MANY customers relying on it. I would be the first to freak out and call it a HUGE setback for linux if this problem affected anything anyone is really using. But again, thats my point, its not, its very obscure, very small chance that it will happen, its worth noting but its NOT the sky is falling.
FOLLOW UP - Re: ext3
ZDNET has a better [url=http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1104-976427.html]article[/url], IMHO, that states the issue is only present in "unusual circumstances" AND the article points to the "[url=http://www.uwsg.indiana.edu/hypermail/linux/kernel/0212.0/1185.html]patch[/url]" for those who want to use 2.4.20 in the fashion that makes the bug possible.