When do you update/upgrade the kernel ?

Select all that apply, votes are public.

What motivates you to update/upgrade the kernel, if anything.

Well, actually, nothing does -- I keep everything at stable. But I remember when there was a kernel update in... uh, 12.1? That I did do. And, on the other hand, I suppose that when a release is published and the DVD arrives in the mail the kernel might just be an upgrade, eh?

I really value stability and predictability -- the servers run for months -- over hairy edge; I suppose that was one of the reasons for picking Slackware in the first place.

well, I will update when there is a newer one, but of course I will always keep the (last) working one.

I generally stick with what Pat gives me.

On my server, I'm using the kernel shipped with Slackware.

On my desktop, I'm following the 3.8 branch of kernel.org, because my graphics card works better with that. Otherwise I would be using the stock kernel on desktop also.

I generally stick with the default kernel unless there is a good reason to upgrade.

Originally Posted by hitest I generally stick with what Pat gives me.

Same answer here.

I prefer one of the stable LTS branches, unless Slackware comes with an even newer kernel. In this case I wait for a LTS kernel. I always build a custom kernel and keep it up to date for all fixes. I do consider features in the kernel, such as video card support, but currently that's no longer an issue for me.

I use one that comes with my version of Slackware.

I used to waste my time doing kernel-hopping, but this time is long past

I'd be more comfortable staying back level if the kernel devs did a better job of announcing security issues, but given their tendency to silently fix security issues without telling people I tend to follow the latest stable branch from kernel.org. I'll usually hold off on a new branch until .1 or .2 though as the .1 and .2 changelogs always give me the feeling that the new mainline kernel releases could have really done with an extra RC or two.

I'm starting to question the value of LTS kernels though - I'm no longer sure they really buy you anything.

Originally Posted by Didier Spaier ...kernel-hopping

Haha, kernel-hopping. What Slackware users do because they've already found the best distro?

I used to compile my kernels... not anymore.

Originally Posted by GazL I'd be more comfortable staying back level if the kernel devs did a better job of announcing security issues, but given their tendency to silently fix security issues without telling people I tend to follow the latest stable branch from kernel.org. I'll usually hold off on a new branch until .1 or .2 though as the .1 and .2 changelogs always give me the feeling that the new mainline kernel releases could have really done with an extra RC or two. I'm starting to question the value of LTS kernels though - I'm no longer sure they really buy you anything.

I agree, I do the same, except I follow the LTS kernels. I am hoping that they will be more stable than the latest stable.

I generally use the one that is in -current. However, I always compile a custom kernel about every month or so. Mainly just to do it for practice. One never knows when that skill may come in handy.

I mostly use the generic + initrd that comes with my version, but on the odd accassion when I have upgraded the kernel it has been to get a new device driver or due to a major security fix.