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Linux Kernel 2.6.0-test10 Released
antrix angler writes "Linus Torvalds released the 2.6.0-test10 Linux kernel today, tentatively calling it the "stoned beaver" release. Linus plans to hand the kernel over to Andrew Morton in a few weeks, and then it will be up to Andrew to decide when we see the final 2.6.0 stable kernel. Download it from a mirror."
i had some serious problems with my usb mouse in test9 (while it worked in test4 and before), and i don't see any mouse related fixes in the ChangeLog, so for now I guess usb mouse users should stick with older releases.
i really hope this gets fixed before 2.6.0, especially since it worked before..
Here
Let's share our bandwidht!!
--
"Res publica non dominetur"
Why thank you, I just had it stuffed.
-- Note: If you don't agree with me, don't bother replying. I won't read it.
I think this name confirms Linus's rockstar-like role in the open source world, as it shows he is now addicted to both drugs and sex.
Is 2.6 really noticably faster than 2.4 for regular desktop use (X responsiveness, etc...)?
Yes, it definately is.
Note that Linus says preemption should be turned off for now, there are odd problems.
-- Note: If you don't agree with me, don't bother replying. I won't read it.
Preemption, as you describe it, has been there in every Linux kernel.
Preemption, as Linus referred to it in the release announcement, is Kernel preemption.
I.e, the kernel itself can be preempted. This has improved consistency for things such as xmms.
The problems you complain about are more likely the result of the new scheduler. Tell me, what nice level does X run at on your system? If it's -10, that's why your responsiveness sucks. Stop X from being reniced to -10 from 0 and you'll find that everything performs much smoother. The new scheduler does a much better job of actually respecting priorities, and as such doesn't need adjustements such as "nice" for everyday things such as running an X server.
I know I'm anonymous, but can anyone tell me whether I have to/ really really should turn on devfs if I upgrade to 2.6?
I've tried using devfs under 2.4 several times but have never succeeded in getting it to work with my crufty (been around since slink) debian box.
And since I use ALSA and XFS the 2.6 kernel would simplify compiling desktop kernels no end.
I don't know about 2.6, but I use 2.4.x with devfs on two stable boxes ("servers" running on obsolete desktop hardware) and two unstable boxes (a desktop and a Powerbook), and they all work fine. Tab-completing commands is so much nicer when you only have device nodes for hardware you actually have; it's also handy to be able to see (say) whether your CD drive was detected properly, or how many partitions a hard disk has, by looking at the device nodes.
If you're using at least Debian 3.0 stable (woody), install devfsd, install a devfs kernel, reboot, and everything should Just Work.
What specific problems do you have with it?
Not at all. In fact, devfs has been declared obsolete in 2.6; on those machines where I'm testing 2.6, I'm using a plain old /dev until I have time to figure out how sysfs and udev are supposed to work.
Now, if you want to use devfs, all you have to do is: 1) install devfsd, 2) compile a new kernel with devfs enabled and set to mount on boot, 3) install said kernel, 4) reboot. Doing 1 before 2 is the tricky stuff for me, I always forget that. You may also have to adjust some permissions and/or create some nonstandard devices you made yourself, but I've been using devfs on all my machines with 2.4 and it's working perfectly.
Ever since the "greased weasel" series of
kernel releases I have been stuck for a good name.
This release is tentatively called the "stoned beaver" release (beavers are
_almost_ as good as weasels, as I'm sure Scott Adams would agree).
I think that the "Stoned Beaver" is almost as good of a name as "Greased Weasel". However, I would like to submit the following suggestion.
I feel that "Stoned Beaver" sends the impression that this release has problems with volatile (short-term) memory and gets the munchies for more resources.
To improve market visibility, I recommend that the next testing release be named "Shaved Beaver". I feel this name denotes something that is sleek and highly visible. The only shortcoming I could foresee for this name are emails or newsgroup postings with the subject line "Shaved Beaver ready for pounding". It may be a possible problem for SPAM filters.
I agree that it's tough to beat "Greased Weasel", but if you really are stuck coming up with a new name, I think "Greased Beaver" would be almost as good.
It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men. -Frederick Douglass
And what's wrong with drugs and sex, anyway? I mean I could understand being against sex addiction, but drugs?
Oh wait, that came out all wrong...
No matter how many of my rights are taken away, somehow I still don't feel safe. -Frigid Monkey