I am not sure if it can be done I downloaded the beta opensuse 11.1 ( I think that it is called) I am wondering if I can take the kernel rpm off the dvd that I burned then create a new kernel for my current opensuse. I went to Linux kernel.org and seen tha the newest kernel there is 2.6.27-rc7 . on the beta opensuse disk
the kernel is kernel-default-2.6.27-7.2.x86_64.rpm .So what I was thinking is instead of installing the whole beta OS I could just build my own Kernel and try it out that way. if this seems like a silly I dea forgive me because I am pretty new to Linux and am just trying to learn my way which is Visually lol.
if this is possible and not a huge waste of time, could someone please either explain to me how to do it or point me to the right web page that would explain how o do this lol

Why not D/L the kernel source you want and build it from that? Als long as you don't let it replace the other ones you usually boot you should be (relatively) fine...

BTW did you actually read the sun-tzu ping-fa or is that just a quote found somewhere else?