Torvalds launches Linux 2.6 beta

Daily Newsletters

Sign up to ZDNet UK's daily newsletter.

NEWS
Linux development leader Linus Torvalds on Monday released a test version of the next heart of the Linux operating system, version 2.6. Even though it's still a test kernel, calling it "2.6" is a signal for programmers to get down to work testing and stamping out bugs rather than experimenting with new ideas, Torvalds said in a posting to the Linux Kernel Mailing List. "The point of the test versions is to make more people realise that they need testing and get some straggling developers realising that it's too late to worry about the next big feature," Torvalds said. Two weeks ago, Torvalds forecasted the 2.6 test versions -- somewhat later than hoped -- and last week released the last member of the 2.5 development lineage. Torvalds predicted that the delay between the test, or "pre1," and final versions of 2.6.0 would be shorter than with version 2.4, the core of today's Linux products. "One difference is that while 2.4.0 took about seven months from the pre1 to the final release, I hope (and believe) that we have fewer issues facing us in the current 2.6.0," he said. Torvalds took leave from chipmaker Transmeta two weeks ago to begin undistracted, full-time work on the Linux kernel at the Open Source Development Labs . Shortly after, he was joined by Andrew Morton, who has been designated as the "maintainer," or overseer, of the 2.6 kernel. The two have been working with industry programmers to set up an orderly transition to the new version. The less free-wheeling approach reflects Linux's more mature status in the technology business. Linux is now deeply enmeshed in product strategies from most of the computing industry's biggest companies, including all the largest server companies and all large server-software companies except Microsoft. Torvalds began the Linux project nearly 12 years ago while still a computer science student in Finland. Linux, in combination with a host of programs from the Gnu's Not Unix (GNU) project and several other crucial software efforts, is developed by open-source programmers, who freely share software without the proprietary constraints that dominate companies such as Microsoft or Adobe. He called on help from Linux companies such as Red Hat and SuSE to spread the 2.6 version out into the real world soon so it improves more quickly. "I'm hoping that Linux vendors will start offering the test kernels as installation alternatives, and do things like make upgrade internal machines, so that when the real 2.6.0 does happen, we're all set," Torvalds said. Red Hat, for one, hopes to help. "We... will be putting it into use internally for multiple purposes and on various hardware," the company said in a statement. "We work on making sure that it is possible for users to run 2.6.0-test kernels, and we will be making 2.6.0-test kernels available in RPM format for user testing soon." RPM, or Red Hat Package Manager, is a mechanism for downloading and installing updates. Red Hat wouldn't say when it will base its products on the 2.6 kernel. But before it makes the transition, it will release "technology preview" versions of 2.6-based products, the company said. Version 2.6 includes a multitude of changes: * It's geared to work better on large multiprocessor systems, particularly those employing the non-uniform memory access (NUMA) designs where there are a range of delays possible when processors read or write data from memory. * It's got better support for "embedded" computing devices such as handheld computers, DVD players or printers. * It responds more quickly to human actions such as mouse clicks or keyboard commands. * Its "block device" drivers, the software modules for communicating with devices such as hard drives and CD drives, have been overhauled.
For all your GNU/Linux and open-source news, from the latest kernel releases to the newest distributions, see ZDNet UK's Linux News Section. Let the editors know what you think in the Mailroom.

Post your comment

In order to post a comment you need to be registered and logged in.

You can also log in with Facebook. Log in or create your ZDNet UK account below

  • Login

Will not be displayed with your comment

By signing up for this service, you indicate that you agree to our Terms and Conditions and have read and understood our Privacy Policy. Questions about membership? Find the answers in the Community FAQ

Get ZDNet UK's daily newsletter

Enter your email address to sign up

ZDNet UK Live

JCB33

How dare film makers, artists or anybody that invests in creativity stop us pirating their works for free. I want to be able to walk into my local...

4 hours ago by JCB33 on ACTA stumbles in Germany
Moley

@GrueMaster. I prefer horses for courses rather than one size fits all. I, and I suspect most other computer users, do not really wish to have...

6 hours ago by Moley on A tale of two distros: Ubuntu and Linux Mint
greycynic

The product that scares me every time I have to use it is the Office 2007 version of Excel. The first bug that I found was applying the median...

6 hours ago by greycynic on Ten flawed products that derail productivity
GrueMaster

Nice review and very informative. One thing I'd like to add (in reply to whs001's 1st question), the main reason to have the same interface from...

8 hours ago by GrueMaster on A tale of two distros: Ubuntu and Linux Mint
Frederick Wrigley

I'be been using Mint 12 since the RC came out, and I am far more happy with the Cinnamon, the Mate, and, yes (with extensions), theGnome 3...

9 hours ago by Frederick Wrigley via Facebook on A tale of two distros: Ubuntu and Linux Mint
bdantas

Excellent article. One small correction, though--although a fresh installation of Linux Mint 12 will, indeed, provide the user with a version of...

9 hours ago by bdantas on A tale of two distros: Ubuntu and Linux Mint
Alan Ralph

In related news, the ISPs club together to get the members of the Home Affairs Select Committee (ya goofed on that part, ZDNet UK) copies of "The...

10 hours ago by Alan Ralph via Facebook on MPs urge ISPs to take down terrorist material
Alan Ralph

In related news, the ISPs club together to get the members of the Home Affairs Select Committee (ya goofed on that part, ZDNet UK) copies of "The...

10 hours ago by Alan Ralph via Facebook on MPs urge ISPs to take down terrorist material
Moley

For Gnome 2 die-hards, it is possible to add icons to the bottom panel (or top top panel, if you prefer) which provide the exact Gnome 2...

11 hours ago by Moley on A tale of two distros: Ubuntu and Linux Mint
ramwellian

Your comments would seem pretty naive and immature. Your 'solution' appears to be, "gee, let's all just give in to the hackers and give them...

11 hours ago by ramwellian on Cloud computing security: no more oxymoron?
BugStalker

"Interesting thought ... If you installed Win7 as a dual boot on a machine that previously only had Linux, and it wrecked your Linux installation,...

11 hours ago by BugStalker on Windows 7 Declares War on GRUB
whs001

This is an excellent summary of Ubuntu and Mint and the interface differences between them. Most such articles take a very partisan position for...

11 hours ago by whs001 on A tale of two distros: Ubuntu and Linux Mint
Moley

@ewallace. Not so clear. Anyone can obtain the text, for example from here http://www.ustr.gov/webfm_send/2379. I support ACTA so long as it and...

12 hours ago by Moley on ACTA: Facts, misconceptions and questions
45283

I think WinRT is fantastic. I just wish it was an option for people that didn't want to go through Microsoft's App Store with its attendant...

15 hours ago by 45283 on Why Windows 8 needs architectural hygiene for WOA
Burn-IT

Nine people? £30m? Who's back pocket is that lot going in? And IF they say it is for new buildings, what about all the ones the government has...

16 hours ago by Burn-IT on Police set to launch three £30m e-crime hubs
ewallace

Just to be clear, nobody knows what is in the text of ACTA, here is a photograph of the text of ACTA http://twitpic.com/8h9iju as submitted to the...

16 hours ago by ewallace on ACTA: Facts, misconceptions and questions
fgvrg56

Unfortunately main issue is that ASUS is refusing to accept that they make some mistake on this version of asus Transformer prime. 1 - GPS sensor...

17 hours ago by fgvrg56 on Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime Wi-Fi & GPS problems?
Ben Woods

@Marcus A fair question. Just talked with Archos which said it was working on an announcement for next week....

18 hours ago by Ben Woods on Archos confirms G9 Ice Cream Sandwich update schedule
Marcus Karlsson

Any update on this, considering the claimed "first week of February"?

19 hours ago by Marcus Karlsson via Facebook on Archos confirms G9 Ice Cream Sandwich update schedule
apexwm

Bill Goodrich : Just as al_langevin pointed out, with Windows Server 2008 there is no Services for Macintosh anymore. It's gone, not available....

1 day ago by apexwm on Windows Server 2008 drops the ball for Mac compatibility

Latest in Application Development