Posted on 09/24/2007 5:52:17 AM PDT by Halfmanhalfamazing
Linux users want two things for their hardware: drivers; and easy access to those drivers. The first is finally happening; and now, thanks to a Dell Linux project called DKMS (Dynamic Kernel Module Support), the other is on its way.
Spread the word: digg this story Dell and Linux distributors have been working on DKMS for about five years now. Its purpose is to create a framework where kernel-dependent module source can reside, so that it is very easy to rebuild modules. In turn, this enables Linux distributors and driver developers to create driver drops without having to wait for new kernel releases. For users, all this makes it easier to get up-to-the-minute drivers without hand compiling device drivers.
According to Dell, this separate framework for delivering drivers will remove kernel releases as a blocking mechanism for distributing code. The net effect, Dell hopes, is to speed up driver development by enabling quicker testing cycles. This also means that better tested code can be pushed back into the kernel at a more rapid pace. It's also nice for developers and maintainers, as DKMS only requires a source tarball in conjunction with a small configuration file in order to function correctly.
What makes this project more interesting for all Linux users is that another project related to the DKMS project, mkrpm (make RPM), now adds automatic lines with modalias information. Modalias, for those of you who aren't Linux device driver developers, is a data structure that's used to hold the information that a device presents to the kernel.
(Excerpt) Read more at linux-watch.com ...
They've expanded their linux lines, so clearly they're making money with it. Now this.(although this is a long time coming) Seems to me that someone over at Dell saw the writing on the wall a long time ago.
Users want choice.
ping
I’ve yet to ever rebuild a kernel - maybe I’ll never have to. I’m a moderately sophisticated linux user but have never downloaded kernel source trees and have never built a kernel. I guess some day maybe I should just to demystify it.
Yeah--it's not as difficult as some make it out to be.
I read on a website somewhere Dell had reduced their Ubuntu laptops to only one model from the previously available two. Any truth to that?
I’ve never done it myself either. I’ve never had to.
*shrug*
post your links.
I have no idea what any of this means....but I have been giving more and more thought to migrating to a ‘Linnux’ OS.
It means that driver updates will be easier if you buy an OEM machine that has linux pre-installed.
I’ve recompiled a kernel, back when it was necessary to add some function. Haven’t had to recently, because I’ve found it isn’t necessary any more.
Ping.
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