Linux 2.6.38 Released

darthcamaro writes "The new Linux 2.6.38 kernel is now out, and it's got a long list of performance improvements that should make Linux a whole lot faster. The kernel includes support for Transparent Huge Pages, Transmit Packet Steering (XPS), automatic process grouping, and a new RCU (Read/Copy/Update)-based path name lookup. '"This patch series was both controversial and experimental when it went in, but we're very hopeful of seeing speedups," James Bottomley, distinguished engineer at Novell said. "Just to set expectations correctly, the dcache/path lookup improvements really only impact workloads with large metadata modifications, so the big iron workloads (like databases) will likely see no change. However, stuff that critically involves metadata, like running a mail server (the postmark benchmark) should improve quite a bit."'"

Comments

YOUR point's taken, but his? Come on... apk

[Anonymous Coward]

I value anonymity myself, ala:

"You will dress only in attire specially sanctioned by M.I.B. special services. You'll conform to the identity we give you. Eat where we tell you. Live where we tell you. From now on, you'll have no identifying marks of any kind. You will not stand out in any way. Your entire image is crafted to leave no lasting memory with anyone you encounter. You are a rumor, recognizable only as deja vu, and dismissed just as quickly. You don't exist. You were never even born. Anonymity is your name, silence is your native tongue. You are no longer part of the system. You are above the system, over it, beyond it. We're "them." We're "they." We are the Men in Black." - Zed, to Agent J & Agent K from the film "MEN IN BLACK"

But, his post here?

http://linux.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=2038926&cid=35497848

Man - It's way, Way, WAY "overboard", & designed to "piss off" the Penguins/Pro-*NIX crew around here... which is, of course, fine... but, just too obvious!

(You've got to be more "subtle" I would say to he! How so? Ok, watch below... lol!)

Now, IF one was to really wish to get the Penguins' "feathers ruffled" a wee bit? Well, all one has to do, is cite statistics like these from a respected source for security vulnerabilities, like this one:

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Windows 7 Known Vulnerabilities: (03/15/2011)

http://secunia.com/advisories/product/27467/?task=advisories

Unpatched 10% (6 of 59 Secunia advisories)

Sure - 3 are remote... but, they only affect you IF you use those portions, or their "work arounds" (which I do both here).

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vs.

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Linux KERNEL 2.6x Known Vulnerabilities: (03/15/2011)

http://secunia.com/advisories/product/2719/

Unpatched 7% (17 of 256 Secunia advisories)

(HOWEVER - THAT? That is ONLY THE KERNEL ALONE)

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Thus, this count of known vulnerabilities only gets WORSE when the other portions of a complete Linux (again, such as Gnome/KDE/xfce & Windows managers + more)

APK

P.S.=> THAT's how you get "the boys" here going... with stats/facts... pisses them off, to NO end, lol... However!

The only NICE part is, he was instantly "down modded", & so THAT may "hide me" from the inevitable trolls "Adjustment Bureau" that lurks around here to troll anyone that says ANYTHING "negative" (even if true) about *NIX variants... lmao! apk

SPEED is why (microkernel vs. monolithic)

[Anonymous Coward]

See subject-line, & this:

"Why do they keep baking shit directly into the kernel instead of making it a modular system where I can remove/add what I don't want?" - by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday March 15, @07:04PM (#35497896)

The other AC's reference to Tannenbaum (sp?) is ALL about what's in my subject-line... & monolithic architectures are typically FASTER than microkernels are (less overheads going between "rings" of privelege, &/or subsystems).

(Now, I am not sure if you are just being sarcastic, or you're actually sincere in your reply but... well, there ya are!)

APK

P.S.=> The best bet, today? Do what Windows NT-based OS' do: A "hybrid" of BOTH, from what I understand... &, it works!

DISCLAIMER:

Yes - Still, I like Linux though, even though I "rib" on the folks here who use it - I say that, because I consider it a "socio-cultural phenomenon" that proves folks from the entire world over CAN work together & do something pretty good!

(Hey, I used it myself for the 5th time since 1992 recently, in KUbuntu 10.10x... that was for 8-9 months or so, & yes, it was PRETTY GOOD. That is, until it "blew itself up" from its own package mgt. system in KUbuntu that f'd up my entire KDE shell! It was to the point that I booted into console/tty shell only, & even "startx" didn't work!)

That? That pissed me off!

I will just do as I always have, & that's wait again for improvements awhile before trying Linux again - as I have before, with YEARS between tries to see if things got better!

(Yes - they always do, but NEVER QUITE to the levels of Windows is all (volume mgt. & group/users mgt. tools, anyone? NO comparison!))... apk