Linux Kernel 2.6.8 Released. Oh wait, it's 2.6.8.1

Gleng writes "The latest Linux Kernel, 2.6.8 has been released. The changelog is here. Don't download that though! A follow up to patch it to version 2.6.8.1 has been released, which fixes an NFS client bug in 2.6.8. The mini-changelog is here."

First kernel...

[Ianoo]

Is this the first production kernel with a w.x.y.z numbering scheme instead of the more usual w.x.y? I can't help but wonder how many poorly written version checking Perl scripts this will break...

Quote from Linus (Re:First kernel...)

[blwrd]

On Sat, 14 Aug 2004, Christoph Hellwig wrote:

>>
>> Cane we make this 2.6.9 to avoid breaking all kinds of scripts
>> expecting
>> three-digit kernel versions?

Well, we've been discussing the 2.6.x.y format for a while, so I see
this
as an opportunity to actually do it... Will it break automated scripts?
Maybe. But on the other hand, we'll never even find out unless we try it
some time.

Linus

Re:Quote from Linus (Re:First kernel...)

[spitefulcrow]

What about people using RC versions? Or kernel sources patched by distribution vendors that have a dozen things in the extra version (linux-2.6.7-gentoo-r11, etc.)

Re:Quote from Linus (Re:First kernel...)

[irc.goatse.cx troll]

Renaming it Linux-2003-Professional would show if it breaks automated scripts to, but that doesnt mean its a Good Idea(tm)

Irresponsible

[vigilology]

If you didn't change the format, nothing would break.

If Linus says it, he must be right

[millermj]

Okay, I'm not quite as naiive as the subject line says, but now that we've gotten rid of odd-numbered kernels [lwn.net], 2.6.y.z format is really not that unexpected. I much prefer that over 2.6.8-pre1-am2. By comparison, 2.6.y.z should be an easy problem to fix.

Entirely untested, but Obviously Correct(TM)

[tod_miller]

"Entirely untested, but Obviously Correct(TM)"

Nice changelogs! *runs and installs*. I tend to wait until a major release to a nice looking distro before I upgrade. That is me though, just a user...

Pats on backs all round though!

Re:Entirely untested, but Obviously Correct(TM)

[photon317]

The user way is apparently the way of the future, which sucks for a lot of us. Gone are the days of the vanilla stable kernel branch actually being stable. :(

Re:Is this ...

[desau]

No -- this is not a dupe. Read the version numbers carefully.

Re:Is this ...

[flex941]

Since thread starts with 'Linux Kernel 2.6.8 Released.' + info about 2.6.8.1. it's still a dupe.

from the i-fooled-you dept indeed!

[Inoshiro]

Topic: Linux [slashdot.org]:

"
Linux Kernel 2.6.8 Released. Oh wait, it's 2.6.8.1
On August 16th, 2004 with 6 comments
Gleng writes "The latest Linux Kernel, 2.6.8 has been released. The changelog is here. Don't download that though! A follow up to patch it to version 2.6.8.1...
Linux > Operating Systems, Linux, IT

Linux Kernel 2.6.8 Released
On August 14th, 2004 with 203 comments
J ROC writes "According to The Linux Kernel Archives kernel 2.6.8 is now out. It includes some fixes from 2.6.7. Happy upgrading." You may want

Re:NFS should be declared illegal anyways

[Anonymous Coward]

easy to hack if you don't setup the rest of your system wisely. I've seen an entire university running NFS without a single problem for years.

Go checkout the Unix Admin Handbook... it was written by some very sharp IT *nix admins at the University of Colorado and other places. One of the best IT books I've ever read. CU is running NFS in all of it's computer labs, it's also running SSH, keycoded doors and remote admining (pushing config files across multiple platforms and OSes) without a single hitch. If y

Re:NFS should be declared illegal anyways

[fluor2]

i bet there is some kind of ip you can steal that make you auto-root on any of these boxes (by getting the key for ssh auth).

Kernel Release Levels

[GeekBird]

Is it me, or are kernels just not really ready for production prime time until the "y" level (of a w.x.y.z or w.x.y kernel) is 10 or more? I'm really starting to get gun shy with some of the weirdnesses that have happened in the 2.4 and now 2.6 release cycle. Maybe I'm just conservative...?

Not alone.

[SphericalCrusher]

I don't see why everyone is making a big deal out of it. Sure, it's embarrishing, but everyone makes mistakes -- especially open source programmers. It's the ones who get right down to it and fix their problems first that really makes a difference in the world. Look at Microsoft and all of the things they have had to fix over... and over... and over... and they still have problems with it today.