Kernel

Kernel Developers Want Linux Purity

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 13:45:00 EDT

Not that long ago Linux barely had two drivers to rub together. Now it claims to support 'more hardware devices than any other operating system in the history of the world' and, figuring it's time to push IHVs to open their code, 150 Linux kernel developers, including Alan Cox, signed a 'Position Statement' decrying the use of any closed source kernel module or drivers in Linux.

Dojo Hits 1.0

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 14:45:00 EST

The three-year-old Dojo Foundation has put out version 1.0 of Dojo, an open source JavaScript toolkit for AJAX development meant for building rich Web 2.0 applications without proprietary plug-ins or single-vendor solutions. The widgetry makes use of Google Gears, Google's solution for making applications work both on- and offline. What Dojo calls Dojo Offline is based on it. The toolkit is all of 25K in size and supports progressive enhancement and animations and is supposed to open the door to a wealth of high-quality widgets and extension modules. Dojo also supports the Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer and Opera browsers and the OpenAjax Alliance Hub 1.0 to guarantee interoperability with other toolkits IBM, Sun, BEA and AOL are Dojo backers.

Linus Torvalds: "The Linux Kernel Is Under the GPLv2. Not Anything Else"

Fri, 27 Jan 2006 06:15:00 EST

'The Linux kernel is under the GPL version 2. Not anything else.' That was the crystal clear statement this week by Linus Torvalds on the Linux Kernel mailing list. He added, in characteristically frank fashion: 'Some individual files are licenceable under v3, but not the kernel in general. And quite frankly, I don't see that changing.'

Linux Kernel Bug Found...and Quickly Fixed

Wed, 16 Jun 2004 00:00:00 EDT

In a good example of how fast security issues are tackled in the world of Linux, the bug that a young Norwegian programmer found in the Linux kernel that could crash most Linux 2.4 or 2.6 distributions has already been fixed, with the release of Linux 2.6.7 last night.

Linux 2.6.6 Kernel Released

Wed, 12 May 2004 00:00:00 EDT

The new Linux 2.6.6 kernel, a maintenance release correcting vulnerabilities existing in previous releases, was released this week.

Open Source Development (This Article Is the Winner of PRSA 2003 Award in Excellence in Technology Journalism)

Wed, 12 May 2004 00:00:00 EDT

(From LinuxWorld Magazine, October 2003) Most people who know anything about Linux know that the kernel – the core of the operating system, Linux itself really – is developed by Linus Torvalds and a large number of volunteers. And yet, ultimately, explains award-winning LinuxWorld Magazine editor Dee-Ann LeBlanc, anyone can get involved in the Linux kernel development process.

Linux Desktop for the Masses is "10 Years" Away, Says Torvalds

Mon, 19 Jan 2004 00:00:00 EST

In Australia to attend a conference, where he has been following GNOME sessions with particular interest, Linus Torvalds has been saying that he thinks that in all likelihood 'normal users' won't see a Linux desktop for 10 years.

Move Over Kernel Hackers, It's Mozilla Time

Mon, 19 Jan 2004 00:00:00 EST

Software provides functionality for the benefit of real people. Most software resides in applications, not in drivers or kernels. Today the open source community needs enabling kernels like Linux far less than it needs enabling application frameworks like Mozilla.

Linux Kernel Vulnerability Found...and Fixed

Tue, 06 Jan 2004 00:00:00 EST

A critical security vulnerability has been found in the Linux kernel memory management code in mremap(2) system call due to incorrect bound checks. The community, as ever, has reacted quickly to put matters right.

Linux Kernel Compromise "Was Not Debian Specific."

Mon, 01 Dec 2003 00:00:00 EST

The Debian security team has confirmed that last week's compromise was the result of an exploit using an integer overflow in the brk system call.

Alan Cox Leaves the 2.2 Kernel for Academe

Wed, 20 Aug 2003 00:00:00 EDT

Alan Cox, second most influential Linux kernel hacker after Linus Torvalds, is going to take a year off from his work at Red Hat maintaining the 2.2 kernel and will study for an MBA...plus perfect his Welsh.

Hyper-Threading Linux

Mon, 11 Aug 2003 00:00:00 EDT

Linux currently enjoys tremendous momentum in the contest for the enterprise data center. Several factors contribute to this momentum, including the high cost of alternative platforms, newfound maturity and stability in the Linux OS, and undoubtedly the success of Intel's high-end line of Xeon processors. With these processors comes a new technology that holds great promise: Hyper-Threading.

Introducing the Linux 2.6 Kernel

Mon, 11 Aug 2003 00:00:00 EDT

The Linux 2.6 kernel is expected to be released this summer, bringing not only a huge improvement in performance but also big cost savings to the many enterprises ready to migrate from Unix.

Linus Torvalds Urges Enterprise Users of Linux: “Get Started Bug-Testing on the 2.6test Beta Release”

Wed, 16 Jul 2003 00:00:00 EDT

(July 16, 2003) - In a meeting room below the main floor of the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas yesterday, LinuxWorld Magazine was present to see history being made. Linux history. Because on the podium were gathered not just Linus Torvalds himself, fresh from releasing on Sunday night a test release of the new 2.6 kernel—“2.6test” as it’s officially called—but also a handful of the most influential Open Source collaborators in the entire world, such as the Chairman of VA Software Larry Augustin, the Director of Linux International Jon ‘maddog’ Hall, and the CTO of SuSE Linux AG Juergen Geck.

'This is It!' Says Linus, As He Releases Linux 2.5.75

Fri, 11 Jul 2003 00:00:00 EDT

(July 11, 2003) - Linus Torvalds wrote to the Linux kernel list yesterday to release the Linux version 2.5.75 and announced that it would be the last 2.5.x kernel from him - Linux 2.6 will be his next goal.

Key Features in the Linux 2.6 Kernel Will Favor Enterprise

Mon, 07 Jul 2003 00:00:00 EDT

(July 7, 2003) - Linus Torvalds, the creator of Linux, has announced via e-mail that the Linux kernel 2.6, due for release in the fourth quarter of this year, will include a variety of features for enterprise applications.

Understanding the Linux Kernel (Part 2 of 3)

Thu, 08 Aug 2002 00:00:00 EDT

This article consists of three parts. Part One introduced the choices made by Linux to schedule processes in the abstract. In this part we discusses the data structures used to implement scheduling and the corresponding algorithm.

Understanding the Linux Kernel (Part 1 of 3)

Thu, 01 Aug 2002 00:00:00 EDT

Like any time-sharing system, Linux achieves the magical effect of an apparent simultaneous execution of multiple processes by switching from one process to another in a very short time frame. This article deals with scheduling, which is concerned with when to switch and which process to choose.

How to make an Nvidia GeForce work with a Linux 2.5 kernel

Fri, 22 Feb 2002 00:00:00 EST

If you really want to live dangerously try playing games with a kernel from the latest development branch, 2.5. You probably can't, because the Nvidia accelerated driver won't compile with the latest 2.5 kernels. At least not until you follow the tips here. (1,200 words)

Kernel source merging 101

Mon, 11 Feb 2002 00:00:00 EST

After writing last week's column about whether or not Linux has outgrown its current maintainers, I just had to try to manage a simple kernel upgrade for myself to see what it was like. The goal was simple: Take an existing test kernel version and merge some interesting patches and fixes to produce another test kernel version. (1,800 words)

Linus tries to make himself scale

Mon, 11 Feb 2002 00:00:00 EST

Are the problems with the 2.4 kernel indicative of a failed source code control system, weak programming, poor management, increasing kernel complexity, or an overwhelmed lead developer? The debate rages in the Linux community.

Linus changed his source habits & why it doesn't matter

Wed, 06 Feb 2002 00:00:00 EST

Developers and onlookers complain Linux creator Linus Torvalds can no longer manage the kernel development process. If you felt cheated by my VM: Virtual Memory or Virtual Mayhem? because I led you to believe I had a viable technical solution for virtual memory management and handed you a punch line instead, this is not more of the same. (1,200 words)

VM: Virtual Memory or Virtual Mayhem?

Thu, 17 Jan 2002 00:00:00 EST

Our hero's modest proposal for curing all ailments afflicting virtual memory in the Linux kernel. Plus a brief history of virtual memory in operating systems. (1,400 words)

The kernel of pain

Mon, 14 Jan 2002 00:00:00 EST

For desktops, the 2.4 version of the kernel is just fine. If you have heavy-duty processing needs, 2.4 has been a series of disappointments. Sysadmins of big iron have two choices -- go back in time or play upgrade hopscotch. Both have problems. (850 words)

Mail Box - John "maddog" Hall Writes...

Thu, 30 Nov 1995 00:00:00 EST

Bill Claybrook, says 'maddog,' has completely the wrong idea about how the Linux kernel is actually put together.