''''' DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT  '''''

<<TableOfContents>>

== Why? ==

 * significant effort
 * dwindling number of users who want it
  * termination announced for > 6 months
   * received a single statement in writing that support should be kept up, and why
   * plus another statement, not in writing, without specifics or reason
 * still little progress in linux support for notebook hardware, no more hope for change

== When? ==

July 31, 2006.

== How? ==

 * No more help with any kind of problems
 * No more new installations

Existing installations can be used securely as long as SL4 is supported by FNAL. They just
have to be maintained by the user. These systems will receive a last update from DV:
  * disables most customization
   * browser, touchpad, ...
  * disables automatic software updates
   * DESY (/opt/products) and System
  * removes DESY software that would need to be updated for security reasons in the future
   * java incl. firefox plugin
  * removes additional System packages that would need to be updated for security reasons in the
  future
   * Adobe Reader
   * Flash Plugin for firefox
  * disabCutoff Dateles automatic updates of known accounts
  * grants passwordless root access on gdm login screen

=== Functionality Retained on Systems Installed Before Cutoff Date ===

Unless configuration is messed up otherwise:

 * USB mice
 * USB memory sticks
 * LAN, WLAN, AFS, local firewall
 * shared VFAT Partition usable from both Windows & Linux
 * ACPI fixes for unblanking the display on models that need them

These ''should'' continue to work, but could be broken by future SL updates:
 * X11 in native resolution on the X1
 * controlling the external VGA port (beamer)

=== Functionality Lost on Systems Installed Before Cutoff Date ===
 * Automatic updates
  * User has to run `yum update` as root regularly to update SL packages
  * User has to install/update /opt/products packages manually if desired
 * Synchronization of known accounts
  * User has to add/remove accounts manually if desired.
 * Laptop Mode (enhanced battery life)
  * Too fragile to leave installed on unsupported systems.
 * Enhanced touchpad configuration
  * D400/X1 users can restore it by editing /etc/X11/xorg.xonf (save a copy before cutoff date)
  * Should not be done on any other model since required driver will no longer be available
  after next kernel update.
 * Compose Character key
  * if system tools are ever used for configuring X
 * Ability to read the Windows C: partition (driver would be missing after next kernel update)
  * may help: http://www.linux-ntfs.org/
 * Software removed for security reasons
  * may be reinstalled by user manually afterwards


== Final Hints for Users now Maintaining Their Notebook Themselves ==

 * To disable passwordless logins, comment the corresponding lines in `/etc/pam.d/gdm`:
 {{{
# auth       sufficient   pam_succeed_if.so user ingroup users
# auth       sufficient   pam_succeed_if.so uid eq 0
}}}

 * maybe a few more ...