In this screencast, Linux kernel developer Greg Kroah-Hartman shows how he applies a patch to the Linux kernel stable tree.
Comments
eggchess Said:
I kind of feel sorry for the Linux family of computer users, because they seem to have no hint of how to instruct how to use Linux. Having taught for 31 years, I've watched how the human mind learns and it seems to me that the Linux don't have any intention of explaining themselves. The video had here is for Linux experts. Obviously, those who use Linux consider themselves a click and look down on those who haven't clawed their way into the group. THis is precisely what makes Windows so popular. It's accessible. It requires a learning curve, a beginning definition of terms, but it doesn't take that much to learn it. It's a small learning curve. Linux seems to be like climbing Mount Everest when you don't have any equipment or experience at climbing. Once Linux family starts to take their time and actually welcome beginners in with real instruction, the world will move to Linux.
I don't agree with you eggchess.
Kernel patching is not targeted towards Linux 'users'. It's already an expert thing.
As for the Windows comparison, I assume the normal Windows 'user' isn't supposed to know what to when when he boots his XP machine & it says 'NTLDR missing'.
Coming back to patching, well if you opt for automatic updates with your distribution you don't need to bother about patching & let your distribution handle everything through timely updates :)
I agree with eggchess.
As stated in the call for submissions "The Linux Foundation is inviting you to share your knowledge of Linux with people who are just getting started. Help us remove barriers to learning Linux and transfer expertise around the globe."
Not sure exactly who the "just getting started" target audience is for this video but it's safe to say they're EXTREMELY tech savvy. I believe the majority of new Linux users use Android and Ubuntu-and are probably not interested in patching kernels. I don't think this video will appeal to the majority of new Linux users and probably does little remove barriers to learning Linux.
The culture of teaching Linux has to be more inclusive if "100 Linux Tutorials" goal is to reached.
I feel a bit uncomfortable about this video; it suggests that the patch-checking is somewhat gung-ho, though Greg HK does mention in passing that he has actually inspected this patch in-depth prior to making the video.
As for the "too scary for users" comments, this video demonstrates how Greg KH, who is one of the main Linux kernel developers, builds and tests Linux itself. To compare this to Windows, for example, this video would be equivalent to a tour inside the Microsoft campus and have a conversation with one of the geekiest geeks therein. That's not something that you'll ever see from a closed-source company, they're too protective of their "secret sauce".
Its very true. I'm assuming if there only applying a patch that's been tested and created by someone who knows what they are doing as long as they follow the steps and realise there might be a chance of reverting back or starting again installing maybe it be better to try it on something that isn't the daily PC that they depend upon. It is based more to the know how Linux user. If the patch duplicates the old one or backs it up so you could boot into old one via grub maybe thats one way of looking at it x
I guess eggchess has not tried Mint or Fuduntu both of which I find to be more intuitive and easier than Windows. Kernel patching in Linux is best done by those who understand programming and the kernel itself; just as making changes to the Windows exe or dll is best made by a programmer. The difference is that you don't have to work for Microsoft to make changes, ANYONE can go into any part of Linux and change it. ... Also Linux allows you to install it on as many machines as you want to without any product number hassle. ... I agree, patching a Linux kernel is hard but there is nothing stopping a user from learning how then actually make a change.
Comments
eggchess Said:
I kind of feel sorry for the Linux family of computer users, because they seem to have no hint of how to instruct how to use Linux. Having taught for 31 years, I've watched how the human mind learns and it seems to me that the Linux don't have any intention of explaining themselves. The video had here is for Linux experts. Obviously, those who use Linux consider themselves a click and look down on those who haven't clawed their way into the group. THis is precisely what makes Windows so popular. It's accessible. It requires a learning curve, a beginning definition of terms, but it doesn't take that much to learn it. It's a small learning curve. Linux seems to be like climbing Mount Everest when you don't have any equipment or experience at climbing. Once Linux family starts to take their time and actually welcome beginners in with real instruction, the world will move to Linux.
Ishwon Said:
I don't agree with you eggchess. Kernel patching is not targeted towards Linux 'users'. It's already an expert thing. As for the Windows comparison, I assume the normal Windows 'user' isn't supposed to know what to when when he boots his XP machine & it says 'NTLDR missing'. Coming back to patching, well if you opt for automatic updates with your distribution you don't need to bother about patching & let your distribution handle everything through timely updates :)
Trollinato Said:
$(previous_comment) > /dev/null
Matt Said:
I agree with eggchess. As stated in the call for submissions "The Linux Foundation is inviting you to share your knowledge of Linux with people who are just getting started. Help us remove barriers to learning Linux and transfer expertise around the globe." Not sure exactly who the "just getting started" target audience is for this video but it's safe to say they're EXTREMELY tech savvy. I believe the majority of new Linux users use Android and Ubuntu-and are probably not interested in patching kernels. I don't think this video will appeal to the majority of new Linux users and probably does little remove barriers to learning Linux. The culture of teaching Linux has to be more inclusive if "100 Linux Tutorials" goal is to reached.
Steve Parker Said:
I feel a bit uncomfortable about this video; it suggests that the patch-checking is somewhat gung-ho, though Greg HK does mention in passing that he has actually inspected this patch in-depth prior to making the video. As for the "too scary for users" comments, this video demonstrates how Greg KH, who is one of the main Linux kernel developers, builds and tests Linux itself. To compare this to Windows, for example, this video would be equivalent to a tour inside the Microsoft campus and have a conversation with one of the geekiest geeks therein. That's not something that you'll ever see from a closed-source company, they're too protective of their "secret sauce".
danny edwards. Said:
Its very true. I'm assuming if there only applying a patch that's been tested and created by someone who knows what they are doing as long as they follow the steps and realise there might be a chance of reverting back or starting again installing maybe it be better to try it on something that isn't the daily PC that they depend upon. It is based more to the know how Linux user. If the patch duplicates the old one or backs it up so you could boot into old one via grub maybe thats one way of looking at it x
Ken Harbit Said:
I guess eggchess has not tried Mint or Fuduntu both of which I find to be more intuitive and easier than Windows. Kernel patching in Linux is best done by those who understand programming and the kernel itself; just as making changes to the Windows exe or dll is best made by a programmer. The difference is that you don't have to work for Microsoft to make changes, ANYONE can go into any part of Linux and change it. ... Also Linux allows you to install it on as many machines as you want to without any product number hassle. ... I agree, patching a Linux kernel is hard but there is nothing stopping a user from learning how then actually make a change.