Kernel Question

[Eric Morey]

On Wed, 2008-06-18 at 16:36 +0200, Gilles Gravier wrote:
> Paul,
> 
> Paul Melvin wrote:
> >
> > Thanks mks,
> >
> > I dunno exactly what I am trying to do I suppose ;)
> >
> > I have just tried another disti before coming back to ubuntu and it was all
> > do it yourself to get the best out, and after rolling quite a few kernels in
> > that migratory phase I thought I could improve mine by rolling it
> > specifically to suit my needs
> >
> > But do you think that it would make much difference?
> >
> >   
> General rule of thumb : If it ain't broke... don't fix it.
> 
Rules of thumb are not reliable, especially if you are trying to learn
something. I say "break" and let us know what you run up against. That
way we'll all learn something.

> Second general rule of thumb : Ubuntu kernel already includes a bunch of 
> cool features.
> 
True. But you'll probably learn a lot more about those features when you
discover that you've rolled your kernal without it.

> Chances are, you're getting all you need with the "generic" kernel already.
> 
For most people I agree. But for someone curious enough to ask about
compiling your own kernal, maybe not. 

> Reasons for which you might want to build your own kernel might include :
> 
> 1) You want it to be much much smaller by removing bits and pieces you 
> KNOW you won't need - e.g. drivers. Not just a few kilobytes as with 
> today's machines, that wouldn't make much difference, but, say, you are 
> going to run it on a very small configuration.
> 
I Agree.

> 2) You want to add specific features (drivers, threading, multi 
> processor...) and you want to build your own. Chances are you'll find a 
> Ubuntu kernel already tuned with what you want in the normal 
> repositories. Just install that kernel and you'll get the features you 
> want...
> 
I Agree.

Add 3) You don't mind running into problems, researching them learning
how to fix them and probably learning more about ubuntu because it's
fun. Isn't that what free software is about?

Eric...