new technology: multimedia timers

[Crazed123]

*Goes to smack Tanenbaum.*

[JoeKayzA]

And just why do we need a new damned timer to program? As shown b y the previous posts, we already have 2.

Ah, wanted to say something about that too. I think inventing a new timer isn't unneccessary, because as processors get faster, a higher timer resolution could really be of help. Didn't have a deep look at the HPET yet, but I think it can be seen simply as an upgrade to the PIT.

As for legacy: If it is possible (and I believe it _is_ possible), in the future the PIT and HPET should be driven by the same piece of hardware, much like a HPET with a PIT-compatibilty-mode. In general, I agree with Brendan that compatibilty makes things more complicated, but this seems appropriate to me since the PC-compatibles are already the 'legacy-kings', so they have nothing to loose anyway . Imagine, the PIC was also not replaced by the APIC, USB-HID has not yet replaced PS/2, there is at least emulation left.

cheers Joe