I was just wondering, but are there any major advantages right now to using a 2.6.* kernel vs staying with a 2.4.* kernel? The reason I ask is because Ive had no success getting my wireless card working until 2.6.* kernels for some reason, but it works fine under 2.4.26, the default slackware kernel. Are there any reasons why I should upgrade to 2.6.* now?

No. There's no need to upgrade to a newer kernel if the current one does it for you. You won't gain any considerable speed or anything. It's wise to update your 2.4 (get the newest 2.4 from Slackware homepage, if there's any) for small fixing here and there.

Other than adding support for a piece of hardware, there's never need to recompile or upgrade the kernel, really. If you want speed, disable services, if you want security, update your firewall and programs which access Internet.

Well, at least, that's what I think

I think the only MAJOR differences between the 2.4.x and the 2.6.x series is:

1. They include ALSA (Advanced Linux Sound Architeture) which has a wide variety of Sound Drivers
2. It includes SELinux which are security enhancements written by the NSA (yes that's the National Security Agency in the USA).

Besides that there's probably just usual new drivers.

I generally would agree here, if it ain't broke don't fix it. the 2.4.26 kernel is reasonably current, and the 2.6 series kernel is putting me (and many others as well, it seems) through my paces.

If you were into upgrading your kernel a bit, you wouldn't be asking this, but the 2.6 series kernel seems to copile quite a bit faster. And the xmenu config is nicer.

Despite the inclination to say "don't worry about it", and seeing as you have experienced 2.6 already (due to the wireless card), i doubt there is any real benefit in upgrading. I am seeing a more responsive system overall, but my laptop is still running 2.4.26 as well.

Returning to the sentiment, if it ain't broke don't fix it. 2.6.9 seems reasonably stable. (KDE, X and nvidia drivers are giving me grief, but only when i want all their features at once). 2.4 works great so hey, if you lack features under 2.4 stick with it

and 2.4.27 is in -current

lol ... there are degrees of currentness ... hee hee hee besides Slack 10.1 is apprently in the works, and that will upgrade the kernel anyway...

2.6.9 here without and drama at all, I've heard it has better hyperthreading support which is why I use it