Hi! I'm new to both Linux and this site, and I have a question:

I heard that i can compile the kernel to make it smaller, more efficiant, and suitable to my hardware exactly.
I wanted to know how can i do it in Mandrake 9.2 (where to get the source and how to start the process).

thanks, Zvi.

You can probably get the source code for the kernel in a package from Mandrake, however given the security issue recently found with the kernel, you might want to go to kernel.org and download the 2.4.23 or 2.6.0.test6 (or later) source code from there.

As for help, one of the best resources I've found is the sticky post at the top of the Slackware forum here at LQ. Yes, it is aimed towards Slackware, but 99% of the information applies to any distribution.

Also, have a google because there are a ton of guides out there on how to compile a kernel.