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Linux 2.6.0-test11 Kernel Released

An anonymous reader writes "Linus Torvalds has released his final 2.6.0-test kernel, calling it the 'Beaver In Detox'. Following this release, Linus says that 2.6 development will be led by Andrew Morton. The kernel's name refers in jest to the previous release, which Linus had named "Stoned Beaver". It contains a fix for the aic7xxx driver, proper error handling in do_fork(), some firewire fixes, and correction of a few skbuff leakage points. Download it from a kernel.org mirror."

56 of 253 comments (clear)

  1. Fork it all by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    proper error handling in do_fork()

    So you could say the previous version was forked up?

    1. Re:Fork it all by Directrix1 · · Score: 2, Interesting

      OK, does anybody know if framebuffer support is fixed yet?

      --
      Occam's razor is the blind faith in the natural selection of least resistance and in universal oversimplification. -- EF
  2. Re:names by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    Given the Gnu/Linux philosophy, 2.6.0 should be called Open Beaver.

    Simon

  3. Names make a difference! by Sponge+Bath · · Score: 5, Funny

    Some may scoff at changing a release name to suit customers and corporate supporters, but it is a simple and useful thing to do.

    I suggest the next release should go a step further. Something smooth, something that rolls off of the tongue, something like "Clean Shaven Beaver"

    1. Re:Names make a difference! by GreyWolf3000 · · Score: 2, Insightful
      I personally think people that find "stoned beaver" to be "inappropriate" need to lighten up a bit. You know, just kick back, relax, chill out...

      Ok, that was going a bit far, but it would be nice if corporations respected Linus' right to "codename" his releases any damn way he pleases.

      --
      Slashdot: Where people pretend to be twice as smart as they really are by behaving like children.
    2. Re:Names make a difference! by Lovepump · · Score: 3, Funny

      I get the impressions most slashdotters would like any old beaver, stoned or not.

    3. Re:Names make a difference! by cpeterso · · Score: 2, Funny


      Linux 2.4 had the Greased Weasel, so shouldn't Linux 2.6 have a Greased Beaver?

    4. Re:Names make a difference! by Saeger · · Score: 3, Funny
      Trying. To. Relax. But. Can't.

      Human Resource #761965B:
      Corporatization of Personality: Complete.
      Humanity Remaining: None.
      Political Correctness Rating: 9.93
      Sphincter Hardness (Mohs Scale): 10.1

      --

      --
      Power to the Peaceful
  4. For those who don't RTFA... by HoldmyCauls · · Score: 3, Informative

    No word on a resolution for the problem with pre-empt, at least none that can be seen with a search for "preempt" in the page. :-P

    --
    Emacs: for people who just never know when to :q!
  5. Re:names by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny
    Haven't you seen Half Baked? No one needs rehab for getting stoned.

    On a side note, Linus "went on to note that he'll be too busy eating for the next few days to check his email." I know it's Thanksgiving and all, but no one eats a whole weekend away unless they're...

    No way, dude! Far out! Linus has the munchies, man!

  6. Let me get this straight by niko9 · · Score: 2, Funny

    BSD is always dying, and now the Tux has hit rock bottom on sex and hard drugs?

    Linux must be a fan of the Sex Pistols.

  7. Re:Fuck by blixel · · Score: 4, Funny

    I just compiled test10!

    Slacker. I've been running test10 for several day now.

  8. For those who didn't read the parent... by blixel · · Score: 5, Funny

    No word on a resolution for the problem with pre-empt, at least none that can be seen with a search for "preempt" in the page. :-P

  9. Stop this filth by MrEd · · Score: 4, Funny

    It's no wonder that the Linux Kernel development process isn't being taken seriously, what with the childish drug references and sexual innuendo being spouted. We need a wholesome, filth-free name to call the 2.6.0 release. I propose 'squeaky clean beaver'.

    --

    Wah!

  10. Re:Question by grasshoppa · · Score: 4, Funny

    Is it really necessary to have every test release on the front page?

    Yes, as it happens, it is.

    --
    Mod me down with all of your hatred and your journey towards the dark side will be complete!
  11. Newbie comment by Murmer · · Score: 5, Informative
    If you're a new to all this, and you're a little intimidated by all the options you get from running "make menuconfig" or "make xconfig", here's a tip - if you're running Knoppix, or have one of your current kernels around in /usr/src, you can pull over your old configuration files from /usr/src/kernel and just copy them in the new kernel's source directory, if you're willing to compile the source.

    Then run xconfig, make sure you've got console support compiled in (this point is key) and off you go. make, make install.

    It's worth saying again, no matter how many times it's been said, that Linus and his band of merry coders are doing incredible work. On older machines, like my humble P2/266 laptop, a recompile actually feels faster, a lot faster in fact. If you're running older hardware, it's worth it to give these test kernels a try for that alone, if nothing else.

    --
    Mike Hoye
    1. Re:Newbie comment by FueledByRamen · · Score: 4, Informative

      Actually, what you really should do, instead of "make xconfig" after pulling over the old config file, is "make oldconfig". It's a version of the (original, text-based) config that only asks you about configuration items that weren't defined in the file - like if a new feature (and thus a configuration item) is present in the newer kernel. BTW, the name for the kernel config file is .config (it's invisible - note the dot)

      --
      Every cloud has a silver lining (except for the mushroom shaped ones, which have a lining of Iridium & Strontium 90)
  12. The pre-empt problem: by ciaran_o_riordan · · Score: 5, Informative

    A full discussion of the pre-empt problem can be found here:
    http://kerneltrap.org/node/view/1679

    This is probably what has been happening to me.
    I tried up to -test9, but after a few (2-10) hours, my cpu and disk access would shoot up and RAM usage would slowly increase. I dropped to a tty, typed the username "root", but the cpu load was so hight that login timed out before I was even prompted for a password!
    So I had to kill the power on my machine while I could hear that my disk was fully active. I was not a happy camper.

    1. Re:The pre-empt problem: by Daniel+Serodio · · Score: 5, Informative

      If you really, absolutely must kill the power, use the "Magic SysRq" key! Alt+PrintScreen+S will sync the filesystems, and Alt+PrintScreen+U will remount them read-only.

      See /usr/src/linux/Documentation/sysrq.txt.

    2. Re:The pre-empt problem: by jesdynf · · Score: 2, Informative

      That's /if/ you compile it in, and if my memory servers there's some cautions against doing that needlessly.

      --
      Yahoo! Pipes are awesome. How awesome? http://pipes.yahoo.com/jesdynf/slashdot
    3. Re:The pre-empt problem: by SpaceLifeForm · · Score: 3, Informative

      It's under the hacking submenu, 'Magic SysRq key'.
      Also known as CONFIG_MAGIC_SYSRQ in your .config.

      --
      You are being MICROattacked, from various angles, in a SOFT manner.
  13. Re:Fuck by angryelephant · · Score: 2, Funny

    I was seriously planning a quiet night at home compiling test 9 right before I read this. I was going to stop at the store on the way and pick up a nice bottle of wine, one of those claim jumper tv dinners that feeds a small army, maybe some candles. release 11 - good grief, this changes everything. # times i have recompiled the kernel in the last week - 3 # times i have gotten busy with the girlfriend in the last week - 0

  14. Hmmm.... by Durin_Deathless · · Score: 2, Interesting

    It looks like they are going to ship the kernel without the latest framebuffer things. Last time I made a non -mm kernel, the framebuffers were completely hosed, and I don't think the changes have been merged yet. Am I looney or correct on this?

    --
    You should use AdiumX on your Mac.
    1. Re:Hmmm.... by fishbowl · · Score: 5, Interesting

      You are correct. I've given up, and now I assume that FB consoles are something that nobody but me wants or uses. Others are happy with 80x25 consoles and use some sort of XTerm. I prefer 160 column framebuffer consoles, and this is in fact one of the main reasons I run linux.

      I thought it was only broken for my radeon card though. I also thought I was the only person still using a radeon 8500LE who wants to use consoles at fbset 1280x1024-75. This has not worked in any 2.6 kernel, whereas it does work well on 2.4. I've reported it. I've tried the patches that were posted, but it doesn't fix the problem I've reported. I gave up.

      --
      -fb Everything not expressly forbidden is now mandatory.
    2. Re:Hmmm.... by evbergen · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Well, the kernel guys have a point in that such things should run in userspace, simply because they can.

      If X can run in user space, so can a simple set of high resolution graphics-based virtual terminals.

      Personally I think the whole terminal/console handling should be in userspace. Sure, if the vt process dies, you're screwed, but it's easier managed and restarted if it lives outside the kernel. The net risks of having to cycle your box may actually be lower, and support for new frame buffers could move a lot faster than kernel development.

      --
      All generalizations are false, including this one. (Mark Twain)
  15. Re:Question by red+floyd · · Score: 2, Funny

    I thought you had to run Windows to use Front Page?

    --
    The only reason we have the rights we have is that people just like us died to gain those rights. -- Cheerio Boy
  16. Re:More Information by golan · · Score: 5, Informative

    Also check out this to see stats about the different 2.6.0-testX versions compile warnings and errors by John Cherry from the OSDL.

  17. Re:Question by marauder404 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I agree. Announcing minor and test versions is only news worthy to the people that are following progress closely, who are likely to know about it anyway. And those people that don't follow it closely are only interested in hearing about major changes since the last time they checked up on a project.

    For example, the launch of Windows 2000 didn't even make a story on Slashdot when it launched in February 2000 even though a development kernel release did. I realize a large portion of Slashdot doesn't use Windows, but it's still significant news for every nerd.

    C'mon Slashdot ... get back to you roots. Show me stuff that matters.

  18. Clean Shaven Beaver by Tumbleweed · · Score: 4, Funny

    Now _that's_ a smooth name that just rolls off the tongue... :)

  19. Re:Fuck by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    You're so right.

    I can take care of the business of compiling the kernel without distraction, now that they have machines that can 'do the work' for the GF.
    There are even pay-per-view websites devoted to these things...

  20. How about by TCaM · · Score: 2, Funny

    'Clean Shaven Beaver'

  21. Sorry Tux, Here comes Bux. by Bill,+Shooter+of+Bul · · Score: 4, Funny

    Looks like Tux has been replaced in Linus' heart. Thats Great! I've always prefered Beaver meat to Penguin. Plus, you can make the coolest hats out of Beaver pelts. Now we just need a name for the little fellow. How about Bux?

    --
    Well.. maybe. Or Maybe not. But Definitely not sort of.
    1. Re:Sorry Tux, Here comes Bux. by Bill,+Shooter+of+Bul · · Score: 2, Funny

      I've further decided that the Name Bux should be pronounced "bucks" to emphisise the money that you will save using Linux 2.6. It will help us market it to the big wigs who need cute woodland creatures and catcy marketing slogans.

      Such as:

      Is your company thowing money out with windows? Get Bux now! He'll show you the eightfold path to saving major bucks.

      --
      Well.. maybe. Or Maybe not. But Definitely not sort of.
    2. Re:Sorry Tux, Here comes Bux. by kinnell · · Score: 4, Funny

      Wouldn't Fux be a better name for a beaver mascot?

      --
      If I seem short sighted, it is because I stand on the shoulders of midgets
  22. Re:Question by unixbob · · Score: 4, Insightful

    The reason that this made the front page is that it's the test release prior to the first "production" release of the 2.6 kernel which we have waited 2years + for. Seems only right that this should be on the homepage. Same as todays earlier story on FreeBSD 5.2.

    --
    The Romans didn't find algebra very challenging, because X was always 10
  23. At least Linus by Nonillion · · Score: 4, Funny

    At least Linus didn't call it the "SCO, fuck your mama" build ;)

    --
    "I bow to no man" - Riddick
    1. Re:At least Linus by staed · · Score: 2, Funny

      Think SCO's gonna try to force a renaming of it to "Stolen Beaver"

  24. Re:Question by Nucleon500 · · Score: 3, Informative

    You wouldn't think so, but there is a good reason for it. To make a sweeping generalization, Slashdotters want to see Linux succeed, and we have the technical knowledge to compile kernels and make informative bug reports if needs be. Publishing this story on Slashdot will entice more people to test the new kernel, thus ensuring that the 2.6.0 release will be Bug-free(tm).

  25. Re:Question by jjhlk · · Score: 2

    Remember how important audience is. While you and many other slashdotters might not care about test releases, still more probably do.

  26. Re:names by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Open Beaver? Longhorn? could a merge be possible here?

  27. Re:Fuck by fiftyLou · · Score: 5, Funny

    # times i have recompiled the kernel in the last week - 3
    # times i have gotten busy with the girlfriend in the last week - 0


    Huh. How ironic is this.
    Number of times I have recompiled the kernel in the last week - 0
    Number of times I have gotten busy with your girlfriend in the last week - 3

    ;-)

  28. Re:More Information by squiggleslash · · Score: 2, Informative

    Also, if you're at all unsure of the process used to develop the 2.6.0-testX kernel, there's a handy diagram here...

    --
    You are not alone. This is not normal. None of this is normal.
  29. But he did! by jared_hanson · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I think you need to reread the name:

    Beaver In Detox

    Now, let your mind slip a little bit further into the gutter, and I think you will see that he did name it what you said. It's just a little more thinly veiled.

    I think his reason for making it vague was that SCO needs to have everything in the open to see things (think GPL code). By making it more vague, they are less likely to be in on the joke.

    --
    -- Fighting mediocrity one bad post at a time.
  30. Re:Question by gid · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Indeed, unfortunately, this article is cluttered up with people saying slashdot != freshmeat (as usual), and lame beaver jokes.

    I think there's one discussion about the pre-empt stuff being fubarred, but that's about it, kinda disappointing there aren't more people taking about the kernel itself. I'm still running test9 on my main box, was gonna compile test10 today, good thing I didn't, or else I'd be one of those ever popular "dang I just compiled version x - 1 an hour ago" people.

  31. The importance of publishing test releases by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative

    When you put 1 milion monkeys with keyboards in a room, open source occurs (taken from the Bazaar and the Cathedral), or a result of similar quality.

    Since most open source development is not done by professionals nor professional organizations, there is no formal QA process. As such, Linux is in dire need of testing. Especially with all the unproven claims of stability made in its regard.

    It is therefore very important that as wide a variety of people as possible download it and hose their systems so that bugs get reported in newsgroups where people will get laughed at for not reading every bit of manual out there.

    I think that the people posting complaints about this story were either ignorant of the open source development process, or just trolling.

    Thank you.

    1. Re:The importance of publishing test releases by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      *Right* .. since the Linux kernel is so piss poorly written thats why its the only threat to microsoft ....

      I am running test10 with no problems at all, but yet, i go to use an 'official' release of any microsoft product and get nothing but security flaws, theres your 'formal QA proccess' at work for you.

      I do agree that Linux needs to publish test releases, its the only way to iron out any problems. Its better than a handful of developers with closed source code, then what you get is Windows and consistent security flaws. To say its not done by professionals
      or professional organizations( BTW Redhat, IBM and other big companys have contributed) is just ignorant.

    2. Re:The importance of publishing test releases by Hieronymus+Howard · · Score: 2, Informative

      Since most open source development is not done by professionals nor professional organizations, there is no formal QA process. As such, Linux is in dire need of testing. Especially with all the unproven claims of stability made in its regard.

      Have you looked at the email addresses of the kernel contributors. Most of them seem to be @intel.com, @ibm.com, @hp.com, @redhat.com, @sgi.com etc. etc.

      Maybe ten years ago they were teenagers, but mostly they are now professional developers who are paid to work on the kernel by their employers.

      HH
      --

  32. Re:Thank you by Nucleon500 · · Score: 2, Interesting
    I really wish some of the "save oops to disk (or high memory, or floppy)" patches went into the mainline kernel. Lets face it - everyone runs X, and nobody has a serial console, so most people won't see the oopses. And even if they do, few people want to copy them down by hand. This really limits the amount of useful bug reports the kernel developers are getting.

    After these patches become mainstream, somebody could make an automated system to ask the user to describe the problem, then send a bug report with the oops, .config, dmesg, etc.

  33. Re:ACPI? by Nucleon500 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Unless one of the people working on the ACPI subsystem have your laptop, they have no way of knowing about the problem. So submit a bug report - if the fix is a one-liner, it might still go in.

  34. this test goes to 11? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    why don't they just make the tests bigger and make the highest one 10?

  35. Is fdomain driver still actively maintained? by pedro · · Score: 2, Informative

    My only need for scsi is for my venerable old hp scanjet 4 and a cd burner, so this ancient future domain isa card works just dandy.
    Unfortunately, the driver segfaults under 2.6.0-x. It worked a treat with 2.4.
    Anyone else had this issue? Should I make a formal bug report? Is it a hassle to do so?

    --
    Brak: What's THAT?
    Thundercleese: A light switch.. of TOTAL DEVASTATION!
  36. non-patched distro kernel by G3ckoG33k · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I know several distros have their kernels heavily patched (e.g. RedHat). Does anyone know if there is a distro which leaves the kernel totally untouched? Or, perhaps RedHat and a few others are unique in their capacity to actually fiddle with it.

    1. Re:non-patched distro kernel by Azar · · Score: 3, Informative

      Slackware is a completely vanilla kernel. Most others (but not all) tweak the kernel one way or another.

    2. Re:non-patched distro kernel by Pop69 · · Score: 2, Informative

      You can download and install a vanilla kernel in Gentoo and the Slackware kernel is unpatched out of the box apart from the occasional security issue like ptrace.

      As you say, most other distros are patched to within an inch of their life.

  37. Torrent by teoruiz · · Score: 5, Informative

    As usual, I set a torrent here.

    --
    "Res publica non dominetur"
  38. Obligatory Gentoo... by MarcQuadra · · Score: 2, Interesting

    In Gentoo you can 'emerge vanilla-sources' instead of 'gentoo-sources' for a plain-jane vanilla kernel. To work with developmental vanilla kernels you just 'emerge development-sources'.

    If you're into manually tweaking kernels and packages I highly recommend Gentoo, you'll learn tons about Linux just by installing it.

    --
    "Sometimes, I think Trent just needs a cup of hot chocolate and a blankie." -Tori Amos on Nine Inch Nails