Linux Archive

InformationWeek is speculating on how Linux will change in the next four years. "By 2012 the OS will have matured into three basic usage models. Web-based apps rule, virtualization is a breeze, and command-line hacking for basic system configuration is a thing of the past."

ACM has announced the availability of the SIGOPS Operating Systems Review, an Issue on Research and Developments in the Linux Kernel. It is available, for free, from the ACM Archives site. The issue has 12 papers about the advances that have been merged or are candidates to be merged into the Linux kernel, as well as new idea papers discussing promising experimental work.

Take a look at the strategy of treating Linux instances as managed objects. Previous generations of management technologies all suffer from the problems of excessive complexity, heavyweight implementations, too fine-grained an approach, and so on. In effect, the area of Linux systems management infrastructure is wide open for a root and branch review.

How does the system startup look like? This question usually does not come into mind of a normal computer user. Oh, he presses the power button, goes to the kitchen to make a coffee and when he comes back, the password can be entered on the screen in the prepared field. Sometimes however, in the minds of a bit more keen computer enthusiasts, the question is born "how does it actually work?" It's no black magic. Editor's Note: An in depth three part series about the computer boot up process was covered earlier in OSNews.

Mark Shuttleworth today urged development of Linux models to rival what Apple has done on the desktop and mobile devices. Certainly on the desktop experience, we need to shoot beyond the Mac, but I think it's equally relevant the mobile space, Shuttleworth said, outlining the challenge as figuring out how to deliver a 'crisp and clean' experience, without sacrificing the community process. Key to this will be services-based mechanisms for creating revenue for free software that go beyond advertising, Shuttleworth said, adding that cadence in free software releases spurs innovation, and that a regular release schedule, as well as meaningful ties to Windows, will be essential to fulfilling the vision.

Linux loadable kernel modules are on of the most important innovations in the Linux kernel. They provide a kernel that is both scalable and dynamic. Discover loadable kernels, the ideas behind them, and learn how these independent objects dynamically become part of the Linux kernel.