Using a kernel from Saturday, with NEW_BUFQ_STRATEGY set but otherwise 
default options (and in particular with default sysctl settings for 
vm.), I'm seeing *excellent* responsiveness.  I don't know what the 
changes were, but from my perspective, they're working just fine.  
(Note: I do not use softdep)

		--Steve Bellovin, http://www.research.att.com/~smb