What's your favorite Linux kernel release?

Michael Uplawski · 09-21-2019, 12:03 AM

2.4.x kernels where the last ones I ever compiled myself. And it always felt great, when it did not run havoc on my computer.

It also felt great to take a seat among the developers of a customer company and to start the day by saying “We will now create the operating system, that your software will run on”. Then later: “Kernel-Oops. Hey, that's like my nick-name. So this did not work and I will start anew.”

Usually I finished the day with a working new system and just felt super-cool. Providing a gateway-server for real-time operations on a can-bus network with HC08 micro-controllers (which were finally not able to respond to real-time requirements), while all the others were running some Windows... I loved that.

2.4 it is definitely!

CaptGeorge · 03-18-2020, 09:07 PM

I discovered Linux when Microsoft killed XP. I've used both Puppy and Ubuntu variants since then. My current kernel is 4.15 with in Ubuntu 18.04 LTS. I'm not proficient at Linux, but I learn what I need as the need arises.

MrRtd · 03-18-2020, 09:34 PM

I'm going to go with the one I'm currently using, 5.5.10

wfields58 · 03-18-2020, 09:53 PM

I honestly don’t pay attention any more since I moved from Fedora to LinuxMint. My desktop doesn’t get broken with updates so I’m a happy camper!

paulo@future-path.com · 03-18-2020, 11:00 PM

Sorry I am not an expert on Linux Kernel's. I have been an application coder and consultant in the aerospace/mechanical engineering domain. I have worked on Linux for more years than I like to admit. Enough prolog.
For what it is worth I currently have two systems that run Fedora 29 workstation edition which has the Kernel:
Linux 5.0.10-200.fc29.x86_64

I also have an early AMD Ryzen machine that currently runs Fedora 25. I guess that indicates that I am not as particular as I should be regarding the Kernel version. But as an application developer my attention is more on the app language rather than the deeper levels of machine code.

One thing I have concluded over the years, at least with my primary vendor (Red Hat), that adopting a new version right when it comes out can lead to problems because bugs in the new version have not been discovered yet. In my current world of application development stability is more important than new bells and whiskers.

I hope this is somewhat useful. - Paul

bsdunixdb · 03-18-2020, 11:36 PM

As long as the kernel keeps working I have no particular preference. Presently 4.4.208 generic on Slackware 14.2.

fatmac · 03-19-2020, 04:25 AM

Any that support my computers.

I've only occasionally had trouble with a kernel version, & it was easy to just use an older version.

ButterflyMelissa · 03-19-2020, 07:20 AM

I'm on 4.4 now. Have yet to try 4.19.
5.x gives chaos and mayhem. I consider deleting them as I have to manually (in the grub menu) select 4.4 at every boot.
Personally, the 5.x is not really a success...
I use Manjaro, standard spin (XFCE and no frills)...

a-relieved-pup-here · 03-19-2020, 10:10 AM

Kernel as of 3/7/20 version 5.4.0-18-lowlatency
I don't know why but I'd switched to kubuntu Jan - Feb cause of bluetooth audio pairing was doable but no way obvious. Got it working again in studio, afraid to mess with cause am unsure how I, (and it was I) got it working. Disabled it once and had the not obvious and again unremembered route to it enabled once more. Sorry the question was answered on line 1. The rest I'm sure belong somewhere else.

vorbote · 03-19-2020, 12:03 PM

Many as each came with new and interesting features, but as of late 5.3 because Intel finally fixed a stupid bug introduced in the i915 DRM driver around 4.14 that in fact killed the gen 4 gpu hardware in one of my oldest and favorite laptops and sent me in a stupid scavenging hunt to find a replacement part.

mlaget · 03-20-2020, 02:10 AM

I am on Fedora 31/Mate, kernel 5.5.9. I feel a bit trapped. Sorry, not that much impressed.

chibcharus · 03-25-2020, 04:36 PM

I am not that versed on kernel releases, but I do know my favorite distributions.
1. Ubuntu. I have used several LTS versions and find it very intuitive. I currently have Ubuntu with Apache 2 running my personal web server. I really like the ability to use this site from anywhere. It has also been conducive to learning server type programming;
2. Mint, I believe this is very much like Ubuntu in its internal guts;
3. ChaletOS. I volunteer at a computer (not for profit) refurbisher and found that this distro works even in Pentiums. Donated computers that could not accommodate Windows, for which we can give licenses, would work well with Chalet. We make unexpensive (at cost) computers available to people under financial assistance.

I have also used Puppy Linux, Xubuntu and Lubuntu. For single board (Raspberry Pi) I have used Raspbian. I have several set up around the house as media servers and one as a home server for specific uses.

I love Linux and learn something new every time I use it. It is amazing how much material is available on line and how generous the community is. Thank you for your part in this effort.

jakerschen · 08-23-2020, 08:36 PM

I don't have a favorite. I have settled on Linux Mint as usable.

alex4buba · 08-23-2020, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeremy

Based on an article I wrote a while back for Opensource.com, I'd like to know: What's your favorite Linux kernel release?

My 3 favorite Linux releases

For the 25th anniversary of the Linux kernel, I gave a 25 years of Linux in 5 minutes lightning talk at All Things Open in Raleigh. As we approach the kernel's 27th anniversary, I'd like to take a stroll down memory lane and look back at the three releases that have been most significant to me.

Linux 2.4.x

Initially released in January of 2001, the 2.4.x series was significant in the kernel's history and contained many major milestones. USB and Bluetooth support were added, ext3 was released, LVM was introduced, ISA Plug-and-Play support was included, and much, much more.

Although 2.4.x was a successful and long-lived series released during a critical time for Linux adoption, it's significant to me for an entirely different reason. Starting with 2.4.19, I maintained an -lq patchset that became surprisingly popular. In fact, despite my assurances that it would probably result in your machine starting on fire, I found out a couple large companies were using it in production. The patchset began with my desire to have rmap and the O(1) scheduler in the same kernel. It grew based on feature requests from there. I ended up winding down the project after those two features were rolled into mainline, but it was a great learning experience and a rewarding project that I look back on fondly.

Linux 0.99.5

This was the Linux kernel version installed with the first version of Linux that I managed to use on a daily basis. The distribution was Yggdrasil, included with Linux Bible. Linux was a bit more raw back then, and it took me a few tries to convert my main machine. For those who haven't had to hand craft a XF86Config or manually "swapon", these were much different times.

Since that install, I haven't looked back; I've used Linux on my desktop ever since. I've installed many distributions since Yggdrasil, which have included many kernels more recent than 0.99.5, but as they say, you always remember your firsts.

Linux 2.2.x

The 2.2.x release removed the global spinlock, but it was also the current version when I launched LinuxQuestions.org and when I got my first full-time Linux job. These were two significant personal milestones, which make this series memorable for me. This release also stands out to me as it's the first mainline version to be passed to a maintainer, which was Alan Cox.

--jeremy

Sorry, but I am new here.
Whatever Ubuntu 20.04 comes with

Thank you

blumhoefer1946 · 08-24-2020, 10:15 AM

I just installed Linux Mint Cinnamon 20.04 on an older single core Dell desktop and like everything about it.