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Linus on Kernel Version Numbering
walshy007 writes "In a recent thread it was asked what it would take for an 'unstable' 2.7 development tree to be created, to which Linus replied:
'Nothing. I'm not going back to the old model. The new model is so much better that it's not even worth entertaining as a theory to go back. That said, I _am_ considering changing just the numbering. Not to go back to the old model, but because a constantly increasing minor number leads to big numbers. I'm not all that thrilled with "26" as a number: it's hard to remember. I think the time-based releases (ie the "2 weeks of merge window until -rc1, followed by roughly two months of stabilization") has been so successful that I'd prefer to skip the version numbering model too. We don't do releases based on "features" any more, so why should we do version _numbering_ based on "features"?'"
version 2.0 ...
Linus... has... jumped the shark. The number versions... his version control insanities... He's no longer Linux's greatest advantage. He's now doing more to hold back the community than anything else. (dear god this is going to hurt the karma)
Modding Trolls +1 inciteful since 1999
What did it ever do to you?
Besides, it's accomplished a lot:
In mathematics
Inherent mathematical properties
Twenty-six is a composite number, its proper divisors being 1, 2, and 13. 26 is the only number between a square number and a cube number, the numbers being 25 (5 squared) and 27 (3 cubed). This was first proved by Pierre de Fermat.
It is the 7th distinct biprime (2.13) and the 5th with 2 as its lowest non-unitary prime factor. The aliquot sum of 26 is 16 with an aliquot sequence of 8 members; (26,16,15,9,4,3,1,0), leading to 0 through the prime 3 the 6th composite number so to do and so the sixth member of the 3-aliquot tree.
There is no solution to the equation Ï(x) = 26, making 26 a nontotient. Nor is there a solution to x - Ï(x) = 26, making 26 a noncototient.
In the classification of finite simple groups there are 26 sporadic groups.
Properties of its positional representation in certain radixes
Twenty-six is a repdigit in base three (222) and in base twelve (22).
In base ten, 26 is the smallest number that is not a palindrome to have a square which is (26^2=676).
Twenty-six is the number of five-digit prime quadruplets, the first of which is {13001, 13003, 13007, 13009}[1].
In science
Astronomy
Anyone who has problems with "large numbers such as 26" probably shouldn't be doing kernel coding ... just sayin' ;-)
"Good news, everyone!"
Oh please! Nobody in a position to be making decisions based on kernel version should be put off by a number like 2.6.26. Can you honestly see a PHB in ever being allowed by the developers to be in a position to say, "No, I don't think we should go with this kernel, lets go with another one." The closest anyone who would be bothered by "2.6.26" gets to making this decision is saying "We will use that one called Hairy Hardon - I like the sound of that one." Kernel versions are off the radar as far as marketing goes.
Aide-toi, le Ciel t'aidera - Jeanne D'Arc.
If Windows had a kernel numbered 1.33.7 with a beta name of "Loopy Longhorn", would it be a better finished product?
The obvious answer is yes. It'd be 1337, of course it'd be better!
"16MB (fuck off, MiB fascists)" - The Mighty Buzzard
_I_ _Really_ _hate_ reading Linus' _email_ with all _his_ _underlining_ for emphasis!!!_-_-_-_ _REALLY_!
"My immediate reaction is "WTF? What kind of moron doesn't make things 64-bit safe to begin with?" Linus
Can anyone help? I installed the 2.6.26 kernel on my pentium, but it keeps saying I have version 2.6.25999999999993 installed?
(news report sometime around the year 2500) People everywhere are stocking up on food, water and buying up home generators. No one is sure what will happen with the next kernel release, now that the version number 2.6.~ will no longer fit with in the ~ byte memory space where it is stored in most computers. Experts are unsure exactly what will happen but some of the things which may stop working include the electric grid, airplanes and automated teller machines. On the plus side, computer technicians are finding it easier than ever to acquire jobs as companies scramble to switch to Mac OS XXX which though it is otherwise inferior has avoided this problem by incrementing it's major version number. Let's go live to the street and see what people have to say. Some random person: Well... I'm just about done, I have a month's supply of food, a generator and duck tape. I had to take out a second mortgage. It wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for the gas. It almost cleaned me out just getting here. I sure hope they come out with that biofuel stuff soon. I'm glad those flying cars never took off though, Windows crashed my engine 3 times just on the way to the store. It's a good thing I wasn't in the air!
What has the kernel to do with printer drivers? It has always been CUPS domain.
Back in my day, used lpd, AND WE LIKED IT!
--fatboy
No, what is hurting Linux is that numbering is way to geeky. The next version shouldn't be 2.6.X. For more widespread adoption, we might try cutesy names like Fluffy Rabbit to attract more females and kids. Or for professional sounding names like Tranquil. Of even more generic like Balls. That would be hilarious in everyday conversation. "Today I installed a new set of Balls at work." Hey why is everyone leaving? Hello, is anyone out there?
Man, you totally forgot the logo. That damned penguin is way too threatening and doesn't make any sort of political message. What we need there is a stylized picture of a group of hippies standing in a circle holding hands. Also, we need more than new version names, we need a new name, period. Stop calling it Linux because that doesn't mean shit. What we need is to find some vaguely positive word, translate it into a language used in some third-world nation, and use that for the name. What the hell is the Sanskrit word for "awareness", or some shit like that? Can we use that for the name of our OS?
_O_
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_/|\_
me
Just roll three d20's.
When ideas fail, words become very handy.
Kernel hackers from my culture can only count "1-4, 5-6, many", you insensitive clod!
But it would likely be perceived a better finished product.
Tyranny isn't the worst enemy of a democracy. Cynicism is.
If Windows had a kernel numbered 1.33.7 with a beta name of "Loopy Longhorn", would it be a better finished product?
I painted racing stripes on my car so it can go faster
kernel x or if I need to update to kernel y
So you are a fan of letter based versioning then?
Why bother with Linux?, get a proper OS.
But Netcraft said BSD was dead !
May contain traces of nut.
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