Linux.com: Linux 2.6 and the ide-scsi Module

“If you’ve followed Linus Torvalds’ postings on the Linux kernel
mailing list (the LKML) for awhile, then you’re aware of the high
esteem he has for kernel code written with ‘good taste.’ It seems
the highest compliment Linus ever pays to other kernel hackers is
to refer to them as having ‘good taste.’ It’s a compliment he has
reserved for a very select few: Alan Cox and a handful of others.
His disdain for code written in ‘bad taste’ appears to be just as
strong as his appreciation of the good. Over the past few months,
one particular kernel module has been the center of a mild
controversy. On the surface the problem seemed at first to simply
be a bug that was exposed in testing of the 2.6 kernel. But it’s
proved to be more serious than that: it’s an example of ‘bad
taste.’

“So what’s the problem?

“The module is ide-scsi, and its function is/has been to provide
a ‘SCSI like’ interface for certain non-SCSI devices and
applications. Foremost among them, writable CD-Rom drives and the
hugely popular cdrecord. As a result, some on the LKML have worried
that a broken ide-scsi module is going to mean that those with
ATAPI IDE tape drives, or digital cameras, or USB storage devices
won’t be able to use them with the new kernel…”

Complete
Story