Linux 3.6 Released
diegocg writes "Linux 3.6 has been released. It includes new features in Btrfs: subvolume quotas, quota groups and snapshot diffs (aka 'send/receive'). It also includes support for suspending to disk and memory at the same time, a TCP 'Fast Open' mode, a 'TCP small queues' feature to fight bufferbloat; support for safe swapping over NFS/NBD, better Ext4 quota support, support for the PCIe D3cold power state; and VFIO, which allows safe access from guest drivers to bare-metal host devices. Here's the full changelog."
While the new features like quota groups, snapshot diffs and tcp "fast open" are great, what's really bothering this version is its tendency to
I don't want to be stuck on 3.5, that'll set my LXC panel back 6 months.
Important questions from consumers, who are also voters and thus determine (collectively) your fate:
1. Does it stream video of Honey Boo Boo?
2. Does it have iTunes to get the latest from Nicki Minaj?
If not, how do we know this is relevant at all to our fascinating modern lives?
Swap over NFS is something I've been waiting a long time for =)
back in the early 00s when I was still using Linux but I already switched to OS X.
there's Linux-libre.
http://linux-libre.fsfla.org/pub/linux-libre/releases/LATEST-3.6.0/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux-libre
Sounds like a great feature! From the article:
"Fast Open could result in speed improvements of between 4% and 41% in the page load times on popular web sites. In this version only the client-side has been merged."
"Recursive bipartite matching"- try it!
I'd be interested to hear what uses people have found for the advanced features of BTRFS. (BTRFS snapshots on a RAID1 volume seem like a great /home partition?) Since BTRFS is gradually evolving it's kind of hard to get a grasp of what is currently available and trustworthy (although this approach is vastly preferable to Microsoft's approach to revolutionizing the filesystem - aim high and never deliver!)
The most active area seems to be btrfs. What is the general opinion, is it ready for general usage?
Any one with feedback from production setups?
When his defense asked, "Which computer has Jon Johansen trespassed upon?" the answer was: "His own."
Astounding that all the other components (major filesystems, device mapper, LVM) support TRIM but the underlying md devices still don't.
As a Linux noob, how do I learn what all of those words mean? The only one I even vaguely recognize is TCP and i don't even know what that is. Until someone responds, I'll be at Google.
I don't get the joke in the parent and grandparent about leaving the sentence incomplete. Can someone explain?
...U RTFM.
This sounds a bit like they generalized the clever latency-saving behavior of IE which skips the TCP handshake when talking to IIS and leaves connections half-open. Latency could indeed be greatly improved for servers supporting it.
"A DNS query needs one packet each way, assuming the server has the answer cached. The DNS server is usually going to be closer, so the DNS query should almost always take less time than opening a TCP session. - by SuricouRaven (1897204) on Monday October 01, @12:02PM (#41514015)
For my 30 favorite sites, I "hardcode" their host-domain name to IP address in my custom HOSTS file!
Doing this is FASTER BY FAR than calling out to remote DNS servers (that may be "downed" or DNS-poisoned redirected, or even a bogus botnet DNS server (yes, there are those)).
I also use what I consider to be the "best in the business" in DNS servers (external to my residence), in:
---
1.) OpenDNS
2.) ScrubIT DNS
3.) Norton DNS
---
(There are others like them, such as Comodo DNS, Google DNS, etc., & I imagine they filter via DNSBL's vs. the same things I do in my custom hosts file... "layered-security"/"defense-in-depth", rules!)
* This not only lends me more speed, but also reliability... as well as BETTER "layered-security"/"defense-in-depth" in the same motion, with a single file (that's ubiquitous & versatile as you-know-what!).
APK
P.S.=> I used to keep 250 of them in my custom hosts file, but instead, decided (after not using many of them) to keep 30 or so @ the TOP of the hosts file, so they are "read in" immediately/off-the-bat & since hosts is just a file?
It gets cached (in Windows + MacOS X iirc too, on 1st use of the net, since it only 'kicks on fully' once a webbound request is made (this sped up bootups in both OS))!
Cached either by:
---
1.) The local diskcache kernelmode subsystem (for best possible speed).
or
2.) The native Windows clientside DNS cache service
---
I turn off the latter in the Windows clientside local dnscache service, since I use a HUGE custom hosts file - & Windows local DNS clientside cache service "blows up" on them... it's written into a FIXED SIZE structure is why (dumb imo).
So far, I have (1,845,285++ known bad sites/servers/hosts-domains in them that serve up malwares, malicious script, function in botnets (as C&C or just compromised drones), etc./et al)
Thus, I get cached speeds out of the hosts file data in its entirety (not just my favs, but tons of bogus sites/servers blocked too, the majority of my custom hosts IS that) anyhow!
Albeit, via a diff. mechanism vs. the typical, & save the CPU cycles, RAM, & other forms of I/O (by turning off a services I truly DO NOT NEED)...
... apk
There'll be a lot of lonely nerds cleaning jizz out of their bellybuttons and neckbeards tonight.
Enjoy -> http://linux.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=3156173&threshold=-1&commentsort=0&mode=thread&pid=41514015
"The main slowdown on loading pages or any data is DNS lookup then the data itself." - by Viol8 (599362) on Monday October 01, @11:55AM (#41513943)
Not only do I speed up the DNS part, but, what REALLY "slows you down" as well as possibly infecting you (I can produce 24 examples of this in fact, documented) is adbanners!
* Cut the banner ads advertisements out? YOU REALLY "FLY"...
I've also found over the decades that cutting out javascript on "every page under the sun I visit" (or any scripts, unless ABSOLUTELY NEEDED as in e-commerce shopping &/or banking sites) helps speed of page loads immensely too!
I do this in Opera's "By Site" preferences - setting ALL pages by default, not being able to run:
1.) Cookies
2.) Scripts
3.) Plugins
Then, as needed, I make "exceptions" that CAN & DO use the features noted, only AS needed (especially the last one, Opera can do "only on demand" as in Flash videos).
(Plus, javascript's a security-risk, especially nowadays, & also CPU killer too, & I've seen that much loading Outlook.com via FireFox & running CoreTemp to monitor this much!)
APK
P.S.=> It works... still, I am impressed quite a lot by the folks in the Linux world, as well as those from the BSD camp too (heck - the latter's IP stack design runs it all for the most part) - especially these improvements in kernel 3.6! I may even TRY another KUbuntu distro again, albeit only if/when it gets this kernel build... apk
Ask Woz thread: 318 comments
:/
Linux 3.6 thread: 82 comments
I guess we know what stuff matters.
Those people who make websites, embedded devices, phones, and supercomputers very much care about kernel features.
The point of linux is that *you* can hack it up how you want. Fortunately there are a lot of people working on various parts of this (free) OS, so you don't have to hack everything. In fact, most people can get away without having to do any coding, even those people who want to watch (patent-restricted) videos mp3s.
It's unfortunate that you may have to learn something in order to consume your mindless entertainment. You've already come such a long way from only knowing how to cry and suckle. We don't really want to impinge on your vacuity any more than necessary. However, if you found in your use of the system that it did not fulfill some vital need of yours, after the requisite period of entitled ranting, you might stir yourself to one of the following:
[a] File a bug report.
[b] Donate to the organization in charge of said code.
[c] Pay someone to code that feature.
[d] Code it your damn self.
And try not to get stuck at the entitlement/ranting stage. Oh. Too late :(
It doesn't matter that it is obvious and shouldn't be patented. What matters is that you can't afford to enter into a drawn out war of attrition that the other sides lawyers are going to make of this case when you bring it.
Abolish all patents now. All of them. Now.
"Only problem I see is if sites change ip addresses. What do you do then?" - by Anonymous Coward on Monday October 01, @04:54PM (#41518071)
I do this (I built it YEARS ago, circa 2004, & only put it out recently because of the "malware explosion", for the good of others):
---
APK Hosts File Engine 5.0++:
http://start64.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5851:apk-hosts-file-engine-64bit-version&catid=26:64bit-security-software&Itemid=74
---
* IF you take a peek there @ its screenshot, note the "Speedup Favorite Sites" tab - it's the "safety measure" on THAT account vs. that which you are concerned about!
Since every 12 hours it runs here "automagically" to import, sort, & deduplicate custom hosts file data from reputable + reliable sources!
(That's mostly data vs. trackers, adbanner servers, sites/servers/hosts-domains that are KNOWN to serve up malicious content of many kinds (malware binaries to malicious scripts etc.), botnet C&C Servers, bogus DNS servers malware makers use, phishing & spamming servers, & more of that "ilk")...
That tab takes a list ( SITES.TXT which is in its own directory wherever you made it, it runs from anywhere so no big deal on that much ) you fill with your favorite sites!
Then it performs a "reverse-DNS ping" to get their IP address & "VOILA" - my spedup favorites get updated every day!)
Fact is? I'd BET it's even faster than this newfangled "Fast TCP" stuff the Linux crew is using, but I am impressed by their works this round... & it will compliment it, if anything!
APK
P.S.=> To let you know though - When & IF sites change IP addresses, they tend to email or post on their sites' pages they will be changing hosting providers (nothing wrong with shoppping for a 'better/cheaper deal' & all that)... of the 250 I used to keep hardcoded in my hosts file since oh, around 2005 or so? Only 6 changed on me in that timeframe...
... apk
I answered your concern here too -> http://linux.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=3156173&cid=41518191
* As far as moddowns? I have a pack of trolls around here (which I suspect are only a few but with MANY "alternate registered 'luser'" accounts for sockpuppets to use) & ones that I have "spanked" SO MANY TIMES in computing technical debates, that down-moderating my posts is their "woman-like 'effete retaliation'"... but, it's all they've got & it doesn't stop others from reading my posts!
(Modern science MAY have the answer though for these "not-men trolls" as I call them - it's probably TOO MUCH Bisphenol-A consumption on their part (estrogen mimic) via plastic containers, lol, turning them into women instead of men!)
APK
P.S.=> I guess it's like folks said of Stallman - the more folks "attack you" online, the more of a 'dent' in their b.s. you're making, as well as influencing others...
... apk
That's not a very big number. Windows is already on 8. No wonder nobody uses such a backwards OS.
After you set Opera GLOBALLY to not use any of those things, so you don't run them on "every site under the sun", you make exceptions for the sites that NEED cookies, plugins, scripting, JAVA, etc./et al, as needed.
* You surf a LOT faster, & safer too (especially vs. threats that use plugins like Flash, JavaScript, & JAVA - since they're ALL major infestation vectors...)
(That's the part you missed or misunderstood)
APK
P.S.=> Onwards & upwards... apk
Don't even try - this brings it right back into view, trolls...
* Additonally: I challenge anyone to disprove the points I put up in my post you bogusly downmodded here -> http://linux.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=3156173&cid=41516233 also...
(You can't, you know it, I know it, & anyone else reading with 1/2 a brain knows it... you FAIL, trolls!)
APK
P.S.=> You trolling wusses make me laugh with your totally computing-technically UNJUSTIFIABLE downmods of my posts...
... apk
Don't even try - this brings it right back into view, trolls...
* Additonally: I challenge anyone to disprove the points I put up in my post you bogusly downmodded here -> http://linux.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=3156173&cid=41516905 also...
After all - We ALL know who the REAL TROLLS are after you downmodded my post, and are unable to disprove my technical points in it, now don't we?? Of course we do, and, it's not myself...
(You can't, you know it, I know it, & anyone else reading with 1/2 a brain knows it... you FAIL, trolls!)
APK
P.S.=> You trolling wusses make me laugh with your totally computing-technically UNJUSTIFIABLE downmods of my posts...
... apk
"I don't write scripts. I decided to use apk's program http://linux.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=3156173&cid=41518191" - by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday October 02, @09:43AM (#41524865)
Per my subject-line above - I notice they downmodded you too!
* LMAO - How lame, when that's "the best trolls got", every time on this subject, vs. myself!
APK
P.S.=> Compared to a GUI version of this, scripts suck!
(Especially for someone that can't script!)
However - I have seen, & written, "scripts" for this too (via Python, with my nephew (who did the BULK of the work, after my suggesting that he have SOMETHING to show potential employers on interviews since he was in RIT @ the time... I just added err-trapping + better filtering, while coaching him on WHAT NEEDS TO BE "LOOKED OUT" FOR when processing hosts file data)).
I've also seen *NIX shellscripts that can do a lot of what needs doing too for this type of work, but... if/when you don't script? This is for you - saves you time, & effort!
... apk