[U-Boot] [PATCH PPC_4xx V3] Print simple row of dots instead of spinning wheel

[Wolfgang Denk]

Dear Stefan,

In message <200810310854.28159.sr at denx.de> you wrote:
> 
> > Did you come to a decision about this patch?
> 
> Matthias already did send a NAK for the esd boards (on Monday).

OK - it's my fault that I missed this when the code was added :-(

> I have to admit that I like the spinning wheel better as well. Especially the 
> resulting output after the calibration is finished looks better on 
> the "normal" terminal:
> 
> DRAM:  256 MB (original version)
> 
> instead of:
> 
> DRAM:  Auto calibration: ..........256 MB (your new version)

Of course the end result looks better. There is no doubt about  that.
But  it  has  disadvantages, too. With the row of dots you can easily
see how long you've been waiting  -  this  visualizes  variations  in
timing  behaviour  that  may  be  indications  for  problems; also it
clearly shows where we have to wait too long,  i.  e.  where  optimi-
zations are needed.

> I understand that the spinning wheel is not optimal for logfiles, but for the 
> normal usage it just looks nicer for my taste. So I would prefer to stay with 
> the spinning wheel, but if you decide that the 4xx DDR2 calibration mustn't 
> use this, then let's apply your patch for the cpu/ppc4xx files.

It is my understanding that a rework of this code is under way  which
will  avoid  the  long delay for the standard boot sequence (and only
need it for board bringup or  intentional  recalibration).  For  this
purpose, the row of dots is IMHO more useful than the spinning wheel.

Assuming my understanding is correct (is it?), then we could fix this
now as well.


BTW: I've added some statements to the documentation to deprecate
control sequences on the console - see
http://www.denx.de/wiki/U-Boot/DesignPrinciples

Best regards,

Wolfgang Denk

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