KubuntuPowersave

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     * should be in libsysfs-dev package      * cpufrequtils has to be recompiled [https://launchpad.net/malone/bugs/34871] to pick up the new location of libsysfs.la

Power management is one of key features required for great laptop support. Ubuntu is one of best distributions for laptop support, but there are still ways to improve this in Kubuntu.

Note: work in progress (waiting for additional info from Debian maintainer).

Current Situation: KLaptop

Kubuntu by default comes with klaptopdaemon package which provides KLaptop applet in KDE systray and klaptopdaemon running in background and communicating with acpi-support scripts.

Pros:

  • Uses acpi-support infrastructure provided by Ubuntu

Cons:

  • klaptop is not maintained upstream
  • klaptop has many issues (and no one to fix them)
  • klaptop is not enabled by default (user has to configure klaptopdaemon and supported features manually)
  • no daemon process that control PM when user is not logged in

Alternative: Powersave/KPowersave

Dapper Universe currently have old version of of kpowersave ([http://packages.ubuntu.com/dapper/kde/kpowersave 0.5.2-1ubuntu1]) and powersave ([http://packages.ubuntu.com/dapper/admin/powersaved 0.11.2-1]). The problem is that these packages cannot be installed if conflicting packages (powernowd, cpudyn, cpufreqd, apmd) are not deinstalled first. Since powernowd and ampd are required by *-desktop packages (including kubuntu-desktop), this means that your *-desktop package has to be removed (together with powernowd and apmd) in order to make it work which is not acceptable for regular users.

Pros:

  • cleaner user interface
  • more functionality: multi battery monitor, CPU freq monitor, PM schemes...
  • clear Debian maintainer and active development team (that is accepting patches from distros)
  • power management done by daemon (powersaved) and works without active GUI (and logged user)
  • uses acpi-support infrastructure if configured EVENT_GLOBAL_SUSPEND2DISK_OTHER="suspend2" in /etc/powersave/events points to /usr/local/lib/powersave/scripts/suspend2 (fixed in v12 of powersave, works with suspend2 and with acpi-support infrastructure)

Cons:

  • conflicting with existing Ubuntu packages: powernowd, cpudyn, cpufreqd, apmd
  • needs more testing / feedback to be sure it can replace klaptop

How to get Powersave/KPowersave to mainstream

Note: this is not linked to any specific release, however it would be great if something can be done already for DapperDrake.

  1. Prepare latest test packages for Dapper - DONE

    • MBiebl provided test packages (source and i386 binaries) that can be installed on Dapper - see [https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/kubuntu-devel/2006-March/000910.html announcement]

    • packages have Conflicts/Provides rule for all conflicting packages (allow install on Dapper w/o removal of *-desktop)
    • redirect /etc/acpi/events to ignore (temporarily until better solution is implemented)

    • packages tested by: LukaRenko, Sebastian Kügler, <please add your name here>

      • known issue: install my complain about /proc/acpi/event being busy - workaround: reboot
  2. Polish packages for upload to Universe and get the REVU-ed
    • address /etc/acpi/events redirection in a way that it does not break gnome-power-manager
      • this may require change to apci-support scripts to check for "powersaved" process
      • need to work with Ubuntu laptop team on how this should be done properly
    • fix kpowersave .desktop icon (not to show in GNOME menu)

  3. Request UpstreamVersionFreeze exception for powersave/kpowersave

    • since old version cannot be installed w/o removing *-desktop packages it makes sense anyhow
    • we should maybe wait for final release of 0.6 (as it is planned in March)
  4. Get lots of testing by Kubuntu laptop users
    • we should confirm that kpowersave is as good as exiting klaptop
    • we should get feedback for all supported platforms (i386, amd64, ppc)
  5. Consider main inclusion
    • this is prerequisite to include it by default on Kubuntu
  6. Consider making kpowersave default for kubuntu-desktop

    • as we now know it is better than klaptop Wink ;-)

KPowersave Issues / Questions

This is a list of issues/questions that need clarification or discussion with developers of powersave/kpowersave:

  1. Administration applet for KDE
    • SuSE uses YAST, what can we do in Kubuntu (kde-guidance/pykde applet?)
  2. Performance scheme is default when on power
    • if user changes this in sys tray, should this be saved as new default into config (for next start)?
  3. Screensaver dcop call should block until screen is locked
  4. Powersave on PPC
  5. Building packages on Dapper fails due to missing /lib/libsysfs.la library

KubuntuPowersave (last edited 2008-08-06 17:00:57 by localhost)