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Delta Compression for Linux Security Patches?

Posted by Cliff on from the binary-diffs dept.

cperciva asks: "For people without fast internet connections, it is often impractical to download large security patches. In order to avoid to reduce patch sizes, some operating systems -- starting with FreeBSD over a year ago, and recently followed by Mac OS X and Windows XP SP2 -- have started to use delta compression (also known as binary diffs, which constitutes a portion of my doctoral thesis), and can often reduce patch sizes by over a factor of 50. In light of the obvious benefits, I have to ask: When will Linux vendors follow suit?"

3 of 289 comments (clear)

  1. First post bitches! by ftgow · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    First post bitches!

  2. Speaking of Linux and security... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic
    I was just wondering about what Linux folks have to say about this.

    I thought I'd bring you the "News for Nerds" that the Slashdot editors thought was not appropriate for you to discuss..

    Is Linus secretly working for Microsoft?

    Critical security flaws in Kerberos found in Unix, Linux, and Mac OS. Windows not affected.

    The thing is, that I seem to remember a day when Slashdot was open and honest enough to discuss all sides of the issues. I guess this post will get whacked by an editor and my IP will get banned. Oh well... there are much better blogs out there nowadays anyway.

  3. wwot fP by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    [n3ro-onlinE.org].