Linux 2.4.15 is out; Linux 2.5.0 has also begun.

jbondjr writes: "It appears 2.4.15 is released. It's not quite updated on kernel.org's main page, but it is there if you dig through the tree. You can find 2.4.15 on one of your friendly Kernel.org Mirrors (note the 2.4.15 Changelog) From the 2.5 readme: "Linux-2.5.0 is exactly the same as 2.4.15, except for a version number change." So, enjoy the The 2.5 Tree

Todo list?

[LinuxGeek8]

I'm sure there isn't a Todo list. And I assume there never will be one.

I was just wondering (read karma-whoring) what the first big change in 2.5.0 will be.
I guess cml2, the new config/make system.

Some other changes that might be expected;
Jfs and Xfs in the main kernel,
Fixing the latency, and maybe make the kernel pre-emptive.
There will be a scsi layer rewrite and maybe a ide layer rewrite (that's correct?),

Re:Release

[gabba_gabba_hey]

Bleh, whatever... This comes up every time a kernel release is announced on /. I for one like to see these releases announced on the front page. If you don't like it, edit your preferences. Perhaps I should just check kernel.org every day and see whats up, or freshmeat. The fact is that I've grown accustomed to coming here as my first news spot of the day and generally just get new kernel release info from here - as it's always here. Personally, I don't mind a bit.

Stable or not?

[doorbot.com]

Since the kernel is now on the 2.4 series kernel, is it officially considered a "stable" kernel yet? With the recent discussions of the VM system and pre-emptable kernels, I wonder if the latest version is stable enough for my server. I'm still running 2.2.19 and it's working fine, but I'm looking forward to upgrading some time in the next couple weeks (maybe).

One big thing I'm looking for a fix for (hopefully with the 2.4.x series) is for the SNMP/netstat info to use more than 32 bit integers to store the number of bytes transferred. Mine keeps resetting after 4 GB transferred and over 6 months that would've added up, but right now it resets itself back to zero after it hits the 4 billion byte limit.

Also, the SMP is supposed to be better, but will that really make a difference on a server which does mild web serving, other miscellaneous duties, and who's primary purpose is serving Unreal Tournament games? As of now, it doesn't look like UT takes advantage of both processors, it just uses one...

hard packed versions

[ma2tias]

The readme file in 2.5.0 says:

Linux-2.5.0 is exactly the same as 2.4.15,
except for a version number change.
Subsequent releases diverge, with Marcelo Tosatti
maintaining the stable 2.4.x kernels, while the 2.5.x kernels are for development work.

and looking at the filesizes we find what we expect that

linux-2.5.0.tar. takes up 129 699 840 bytes
linux-2.4.15.tar takes up 129 699 840 bytes

are the same. But if we look at the packed versions

linux-2.5.0.tar.bz2 23 748 963
linux-2.4.15.tar.bz2 23 747 061

A difference of 1902 bytes

linux-2.5.0.tar.gz 29 404 635
linux-2.4.15.tar.gz 29 404 736

A difference of -101 bytes

How come?

Re:Todo list?

[slittle]

And what about the firewall code? I don't know about you guys, but I just love spending a large chunk of a weekend learning the new firewall every time a new kernel series arrives. It just wouldn't be the same if it didn't fsck up my firewall scripts...

ALSA Re:Todo list?

[Laven]

Does anyone know the reason why they haven't included ALSA in the main kernel yet?

I finally switched my Red Hat 7.2 and recompiled KDE with Alsa support, and things are SO MUCH nicer than free-OSS. I can finally use Real Player or Quicktime Player (via CrossOver) seemlessly with KDE. No more fussing with artsdsp to get Real Player to work, or terminate artsd in order for Wine audio to play.

Re:Todo list?

[rasactive]

Last I recall, there was an article on Slashdot where Linus described what he wanted in the 2.5 kernel. Some karma whore can post it, but I believe one of the goals was to eliminate human configuration, thus eliminating human error.
But I could be wrong.

Re:Marcelo Tosatti

[Teukels]

Marcello is maintaining 2.4.15> because Alan Cox won't, it seems he made a personal choice.
Alan Cox is going to be in touch more with the customers of his employer, RedHat.

Marcello is a knowledgeable guy, he has proven to be sceptical and is imho able to discriminate well between a 'bad' patch and a Good(TM) patch. Alan said he would assist and advice Marcello if he needed help.

If you want to know more about Alan Cox, please search google for Alan's diary and website. (Or try Telsa's website, might be even more fun to read.)