Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Should Aunt Tillie Build Her Own Kernels?

Posted by timothy on from the choice-is-good dept.

DeadBugs writes: "Linux Weekly News is reporting on a new linux controversy. The inclusion of a Kernel Autoconfiguration program that would make it easy for almost anybody to build a custom Kernel on their computer. Eric Raymond supports this idea saying that this will bring Linux to a wider market. Those that oppose this idea mainly think that only those educated few should custom build their own Kernels. I for one hope this gets included if only to make standard installations and upgrades faster."

6 of 507 comments (clear)

  1. Controversy??? by CrazyBrett · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Why the heck is this a controversy? It seems to me that anything that makes good technology accessible to more people is a good thing.

    I'd like to hear good arguments in the other camp, though.

    1. Re:Controversy??? by blitzrage · · Score: 5, Insightful

      People obviously should not mess with things they dont understand.

      My simply answer to that is: Then how did you learn?

      --

      I have no signature
    2. Re:Controversy??? by elefantstn · · Score: 5, Insightful
      People should not mess with what they don't understand.


      I never would have learned anything if I thought like that.
      --
      If it ain't broke, you need more software.
  2. Let the mob sort it out... by davejenkins · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Am I reading correctly? Is this a debate over limiting vs. allowing certain behavior? What part of the Open Source philosophy got suspended while I was at lunch?

    Let some distribution try this. It may take off, it may fail-- that's what it's all about...

    --

    davejenkins.com |

  3. Point could be moot. by mystery_bowler · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Most Linux users are already familiar with the caveats and reprecussions of customizing your kernel. This kind of tool would just make it easier to get to.

    There aren't all that many "casual" Linux users. That market is dominated by Microsoft. And if you've deployed Linux to a work environment, chances are you won't allow a tool like this to be used, because you'll probably want to lock down the configurations (making your life as a sys admin a lot easier).

    Assuming Linux continues to proliferate to the consumer market, I still wouldn't be worried about people tinkering with their kernel too much. Most people, especially at the "average Joe" level, don't understand the inner workings of their OS. Heck, most of them fear their OS and assume that they'll break something if they tinker with the OS's inner settings. I wouldn't conclude that simply because the tool is there that most people would be interested in using it.

    --

    My sigs always suck.
  4. Disclaimer by SirSlud · · Score: 5, Insightful

    *****WARNING. USING THIS TOOL CAN SCREW UP YOUR COMPUTER, BIG TIME. IF YOU WANT TO USE IT, DONT BE MAD AT ANYONE BUT YOURSELF IF YOU FUDGE THINGS UP*****

    If MS can include regedit, you cant tell me that we can't inlcude autoconf .. I mean, seriously. The only thing you could end up with is some fucked kernels (who should get along just fine with the fucked registries) and some users who will learn and be cautious, and end up having a better understanding their computers.

    --
    "Old man yells at systemd"