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Improve Your GNU/Linux Experience With -mm Patches

Posted by timothy on from the mystical-promises dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Anyone interested in squeezing maximum performance out of their GNU/Linux operating system and willing to compile a new kernel will be interested in this KernelTrap article about Andrew Morton's -mm patchset. The patchset currently offers better stability and performance than the mainline 2.6.0-test kernel, as well as containing numerous functionality enhancements. Much of the additional functionality is described, as well as providing simple step by step installation instructions. Reading this article, one can certainly understand why Linux creator Linus Torvalds has chosen Andrew to soon become the 2.6 maintainer."

4 of 40 comments (clear)

  1. Oh yes! by Kaladis+Nefarian · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I've been using the -mm patchset since 2.5.4x and have been very happy with it. Since it includes the Interactivity patches from Con Kolivas it kicks ass on your desktop, too. Even moreso than the 2.4.x-ck series of patches, which are intended for desktop use. Do note however that it is sometimes more experimental in nature than the mainline kernel, since new functionality is often tested out there first.

    If you know how to patch your kernel already, you don't need to read the article, get the patch for your kernel here: http://ftp.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/people/akpm /patches/2.6/

    --
    * Several monkeys are here, playing banjos and wearing small hats.
  2. synaptics touchpad support by pbody · · Score: 2, Interesting

    The mm patch is the only reason I use 2.6 on my laptop since it provides the synaptics touchpad support. Yes, I was able to use an external mouse without the patch, but the idea of not being able to use the built in touchpad was really annoying.

    Does anyone know why touchpad support is not included in the default 2.6 tree?

  3. Better than 2.6?? by smelroy · · Score: 3, Interesting

    patchset currently offers better stability and performance than the mainline 2.6.0-test kernel So if these stability and performance patches are so great as the article says, why aren't they in the main kernel already? Does Linus just not like them??

    --
    Switching to Linux can be an adventure!
  4. My experience with kernel patches by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Also posted on OSNews:

    I've tested the 2.6.0-test5 kernel with Con Kolivas' interactivity patch. I've also tested Con's 2.4.21 and 2.4.22 patches and so far nothing can match the gentoo-sources-2.4.20-r5-aavm patch for speed. (I'm using Mandrake 9.1 and GCC 3.3.1, BTW.) Just watching the init scripts running at bootup and how long XFree86 and Mozilla Firebird take to launch, there's no comparison. Considering that this patch uses Con's performance enhancements, I'm not too confident that it can do any better. But maybe I'll test it out and see what it can do.

    If anyone is interested in a mini-howto on using the gentoo-sources patch, speak up and I'll try to whip something up.