With the release yesterday of the Linux 2.6.29 kernel, we have set out to explore how the desktop performance has evolved over the past six major kernel releases. On a few occasions in the past we have provided kernel benchmarks (at one point even benchmarking 12 kernels), but this time around we have included nearly two dozen benchmarks using the Phoronix Test Suite.

For those that may have forgot, at the start of December we launched the Phoronix Kernel Test Farm to begin benchmarking the Linux kernel on a daily basis using the automated tools that we provide via the Phoronix Test Suite and Phoromatic. Towards the middle of December we then unveiled the Phoromatic Tracker, which exposes these test results in real-time to the public.

A few weeks back Con Kolivas returned to the Linux kernel scene after parting ways with kernel development for two years. Con, who has contributed a great deal to the Linux kernel in the past particularly with CPU schedulers, returned and introduced BFS.

Ubuntu 11.10 Alpha 2 was recently released for the brave and adventuresome to test. I did not do much of a testing, but ran the system in a virtual environment to see what it looks like. Aside from the kernel, there is really no major change, as far as I could tell, from the last stable release, which is Ubuntu 11.04.

Talking about the kernel, Ubuntu 11.10 should be shipping with Kernel 3.0.

The problem itself appear to be in the kernel from version 6.06, 8.04, 8.10, 9.04 and 9.10. 7.xx versions are not affected . This is a serious problem because it could allow full system access among others. Canonical has been recommended as a solution to update the kernel.

Since version 2.6.21, the Linux kernel has introduced a feature called tickless. the kernel no longer has a fixed 1000Hz timer tick. This will give a dramatic power savings because the CPU stays in low power mode for longer periods of time during system idle.

Kernel mode-setting for Intel graphics hardware can already be found in the mainline Linux kernel and will be included by default in the release of Ubuntu 9.10 later this year.

LinuxCertified, Inc. announced a two day, hands-on course that acquaints atendees with Linux kernel documentation, kernel configuration, kernel debugging, kernel measurement and other tools. This course trains developers in effective debugging and performance measurement and improvement techniques for Linux kernel. This class is scheduled for October 29th - October 30th, 2009.

Linux Planet: "For the Linux kernel, 2009 has been another banner year, with this week marking the debut of the kernel's fourth major updates.
The year's final update is the 2.6.32 kernel, which was released by Linux founder Linus Torvalds late Wednesday night."