[aclug-L] Re: An idea -- any volunteers/helpers?

["Dale W Hodge" <dwh@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: discussion-bounce@xxxxxxxxx [mailto:discussion-bounce@xxxxxxxxx]On
> Behalf Of james l
>
> >
> > Recompiling the kernel has ZERO effect on running processes. The most
> > common reason for recompiling is to gain some new feature or hardware
> > support offered by a later kernel revision.  The kernels that
>
> There are some things that do require a rebuild of the kernel (or
> a kernel
> module) For example: how many people have usb CompactFlash readers? While
> there is support (now in the kernel, when I first got it, it was
> a patch) it
> does require going into the kernel's config to make work. (btw, it is a
> sub-option of usb-storage.o if you care, and requires
> EXPEREMENTAL support to
> be enabled.)

Granted, there are some things that aren't supported by the stock kernel
modules.  But how many new to average users are going to know how to find
those sub-options?  Sure, we can show them, but I think this is more an
advanced user topic.  You really have to know your hardware and know your
way around linux to avoid ending up with a non-bootable system.


> I would disagree that it has zero effect on running processes.

Okay, zero was a poor choice of words. But the discussion was to remove
running processes by recompiling the kernel, and that is simply wrong.

> That being said, generally the distros will have better kernel setups
>  than most people will be able to create, but they may lack a
> specific piece
> of hardware, so you may need to go in and complile modules/recompile the
> kernel.

Perhaps. But, if the module isn't in the stock setup, there's a good chance
that it's bleeding edge in support, and you may well end up with a broken
system by trying to get it compiled in.


I guess the point I'm trying to make is this:  we've had new users ask about
recompiling kernels, but I don't feel this falls in new user territory. It's
a mid to advanced level topic. When we cover it, we need to make this clear.
It's quite possible to end up with a kernel that will not boot.  You need to
know how to fix this if it does happen.

--dwh

---
Dale W Hodge - dwh@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Secretary - info@xxxxxxxxx
Air Capital Linux User's Group  (ACLUG)
---




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