[Discuss] Kernel interpretation of pressing the reset button?

[Darren Duncan]

On 2018-06-13 10:07 AM, Alan W. Irwin wrote:
> On 2018-06-12 22:37-0700 Darren Duncan wrote:
> [...]
>> On all the computers I've used for a long time, holding down the power button 
>> for like 4+ seconds performs a reset, where pressing and letting it go, or 
>> holding it only for a shorter time, will signal the OS.
> 
> I believe in this sentence you have confused reset with power off.
> For example, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reset_button> states
> "on most computers the power button can remove power immediately if
> held down for a few seconds", and I also have observed that behaviour
> (i.e., powering down the equipment when you hold the power button down
> long enough) on a number of computers (including my latest) over the
> years.

You are right, the button hold actually shuts the computer off.  But for all 
practical purposes its the same thing.  You hold to shut off the computer, and 
then after a few seconds press again normally to turn it on again.  The separate 
shut-off and turn-on actually gives the user more choices.  Is there any purpose 
for which what I proposed is not giving all of the practical value of the reset 
button? -- Darren Duncan