I have noticed kernel.org with kernel releases on the mainline.Example: 2.6.36-rc1 is currently on the mainline.

Doubts:
1.What does it mean?
2.Does it mean that feature changes been freezed.Does it mean "2.6.36-rc1 Released".
3. I have job to verify vmware drivers to test the version information, Can I test it now through compiling for vmware drivers now.
4. Lots of Git activity goes on after kernel comes on mainline.Does it mean our vmware drivers can only be tested after kernel if finally announced

Why do people phrase their questions as if it's a piece of college course work. rc in these cases means Release CANDIDATE. This essentially is a kernel that is nearing release and candidates are being put in place to see how ready that candidate/build is for release... a lot of software releases Release candidates as such, consider it similar to the last stages of Beta testing where you have what you believe is a finished product but just want to make sure there are no problems left and possibly ironing out those last few errors.

Essentially if there are no problems with the rc it will become the officially released version, if there are problems it might be changed to make another release candidate, this is why the candidate is released, to answer this question of "is it ready?".

r3,

I think you dint understand what I am really looking for.
I do know Alpha, Beta, RC and GA/GMC/GM.
I know that kernel release have rc releases before going to GA.
But What I really concerned about " What does it mean when we say Kernel is in mainline?"

Any linux freaker who can help me in this regard?