Linux Kernel 2.6.0-test8 Released

djcapelis writes "It's that time again. Latest release is hot off the presses in this final bit of stabilization before 2.6.0 is finally released. Changelog: here. Use mirrors if you're nice, but kernel.org has a nice little bandwidth readout on the front page so you can see how hard their servers are being hit if you don't feel like tracking one down. A few XFS changes from SGI in there as well if anyone is still worried on that topic. Watch for the MM patches when they come out. The FTP server seems to be snappier for some."

Comments

nifty meter

[Anonymous Coward]

... but kernel.org has a nice little bandwidth readout on the front page so you can see how hard their servers are being hit...

how many people are going to go there not to download, but just to see the nifty meter and end up slashdotting them ;)

Microsoft Dismisses Linux Kernel 2.6.0-test8

[Anonymous Coward]

On the eve of the Linux 2.6 introduction for personal computers, Microsoft's General Manager, Windows Division, Dave Fester posted his thoughts on Linux Kernel 2.6.0-test8. In his comments, Fester concludes that Linux Kernel 2.6.0-test8 is too limited for PC users.

"Unless Linux decides to make radical changes to their service model, a Linux-based operating system will still remain a closed system, where PC owners cannot access content from other operating systems," said Fester. "Additionally, users of Linux are limited to programs from Redhat's install CD... this is a drawback for PC users, who expect choice in music programs, choice in games, and choice in Word Processors from a wide-variety of Microsoft products to use for various purposes. Lastly, if you use Linux's desktop environment along with Linux, you don't have the ability of using the over 40 different Windows XP-compatible GUI skins. When I'm paying for a desktop environment, I want to know that I have choices today and in the future."

When asked how the Linux Kernel 2.60-test8 differs from Windows-based services, Fester talks about Microsoft Office and the different types of options it will offer users. Fester concludes that it will be the best experience that ultimately wins over consumers.

"All told, copmputer fans should look for services that offer the best experience and take advantage of the best digital rights platform available for PCs. With Windows XP 2003, you get faster starts, better quality internet, and support for the most websites," Fester said.

"Tracking down" mirrors?

[Kourino]

Oi, it's not that hard. www.XX.kernel.org or ftp.XX.kernel.org, where XX is your two-letter country code, like fr for France.

Re:Framebuffers

[GammaTau]

They still haven't fixed the problems in the framebuffers. Anyone know why this is so low priority?

As far as I understand, there is still a significant body of new framebuffer code that hasn't been merged to Linus' tree. There is a message from the framebuffer maintainer on the Linux framebuffer development list saying that the merge will happen, quoting him directly, "Very soon. I have new software cursor code that I'm debugging right now. This is the only thing holding back the syning."

Re:does anyone know

[Brandybuck]

Don't ask. Everytime I've asked this question on Slashdot, or any Linux support forum, I've been flamed. Apparently until the SATA gets hammered down and made a default part of the kernel, the typical Linux advocate regards it as unimportant. It's almost as if they expect people NOT to use SATA drives just because it isn't ready for Linux yet.

Yet SATA-only systems are becoming increasingly common. I expect in six months that OEMs won't even ship IDE systems any more. If Linux distros don't put in SATA support by default in their install CDs, there's going to be a real problem.

Re:XFS

[lightcycle]

As far as I understand, it's a bunch of mostly performance-heightening patches by Andrew Morton and others. I think they are omitted because they are too bleeding edge to put in mainstream (Yes, apparently too bleeding edge even for a development/test kernel). I tried them with test6 however, and to me it didn't seem any less stable than vanilla, but YMMV.

Re:What Features are included?

[MarcQuadra]

I prefer the changelog, I just 'grep' it for things I'm interested in.

http://kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v2.6/ChangeLo g- 2.6.0-test8

For a more 'friendly' summary check out:

http://kernelnewbies.org/status/latest.html

beware, it tends to run a few weeks behind schedule sometimes.

Re:does anyone know

[Drakon]

you're asking the question wrong. To quote from bash.org:

<dm> I discovered that you'd never get an answer to a problem from Linux Gurus by asking. You have to troll in order for someone to help you with a Linux problem.
<dm> For example, I didn't know how to find files by contents and the man pages were way too confusing. What did I do? I knew from experience that if I just asked, I'd be told to read the man pages even though it was too hard for me.
<dm> Instead, I did what works. Trolling. By stating that Linux sucked because it was so hard to find a file compared to Windows, I got every self-described Linux Guru around the world coming to my aid. They gave me examples after examples of different ways to do it. All this in order to prove to everyone that Linux was better.
<dm> So if you're starting out Linux, I advise you to use the same method as I did to get help. Start the sentence with "Linux is gay because it can't do XXX like Windows can". You will have PhDs running to tell you how to solve your problems.