Ah ! This has turned into an interesting and fundamental discussion - reminds me of computer history, with fixed, non-expandable RAM ...
GrAnd
....But it can be at least packed or separated to an external file.
That will provide some 'breathing space' for the memory load, but what about the future ? As more and more people come
up with usefull and/or nice additions, problems will most likely increase.
It seems inevitable in the long run, that some mechanism must be implemented to load executable code dynamically;
that would require heavy duty ARM assembly coding (just guessing - far beyond my reach anyway).
In a simpler approach, games and/or other non-photo related functions could be integrated into a stripped CHDK core, if necessary (memorywise) on a per game/function basis.
The stripped core would contain only the boot and the gui functions (that is, all photo related stuff stripped out).
The main 'photo CHDK' would then be able to boot straight into each of these alternative bins/firs.
As a beneficial side effect, you could of course also boot into other CHDK versions/configurations.
wim
Smells like linux, my dream.
Making something like that would be as pioneers of the revolution of free digital photography. No joke, I can imagine the effect that would have a similar development. If we give at the simple cameras (limited origin) tools with functions that are at levels high-end (like mine A530), all manufacturers should take note of the need to improve and strengthen the offering software, otherwise it would be too forward canon. Imagine that you with an entry-level canon from 100euro you can take raw, zebra functions, games,an indipendent new operating system, programs like as symbian (I remember in my old Nokia6600 everything works with 6MB of RAM). Is a killer application in the world of cameras.
What has been done already, it is already a tremendous step forward. Time ago I bought a small camera, and with chdk I discovered the actual potential that this gives me. I was undecided whether to buy a camera better than other brand, but certainly rest with Canon for life, and chdk allows me to do things that I could do only with high-end cameras. Is not all that fantastic? It is like comparing winVista with linux. Perhaps you have the keys for revolution in the world of software cameras, more competitive and functional, free from commercial strategy and major producers, especially for certain segments of the market, based only on the real capacity optical and mechanical properties of the product.
This is true freedom, but not as symbian such as Linux.
Do not worry if discuss whether it is better games or raw, we are only beginning, there will be a dedicated sdk and anyone propose their own software, gpl or not.
Let me know what you think, but we must not forget that everything is the result of free people offering their skills to improve things (like eMule), we should thank them instead of complaining about the Bugs.
Meanwhile i'm going to polish the magic button, which I had never used before (alt button).
thanks for all.
