> 
> The major reason I would avoid putting it in the kernel is the bit
> about handling each of the gazillion graphics cards.  (Though
> admittedly some of this is already necessary to handle saving and
> restoring hardware settings when flipping between virtual consoles
> already.)
> 

There is always the minimum VGA set.  This is explored in many books,
not the least of which being "Secrets of the Game Programming Wizards",
which describes how the minimum VGA set works.  We wouldn't need to
support a zillion cards; just use the minimal VGA stuff and let 'X' (or
whatever) do the high powered stuff.  Granted, there wouldn't be a lot
you would want to do in 320 x 240 graphics mode, but everyone (the
graphics card makers) supports it.

Actually doing VGA graphics is a relative no-brainer.  It was based on
the old Hercules graphics method (or at least, they are way similar).  
Adding the cool stuff to the basic set (more graphics modes, etc.) is 
the pain in the neck.

I'm still not convinced it is worth the trouble, but it should be doable
in a fairly minimal way.

-- 
Dave Burgess                   Network Engineer - Nebraska On-Ramp, Inc.
*bsd FAQ Maintainer / SysAdmin for the NetBSD system in my spare bedroom
"Just because something is stupid doesn't mean there isn't someone that 
doesn't want to do it...."