Fancy some new features? Try general-purpose Linux alternative Liquorix

Looking for a little more desktop responsiveness? Liquorix provides current, easy-to-install desktop-performance-optimised kernels for Ubuntu, Mint, Debian and derivatives… and Arch and Red Hat users can get it, too. Since we've been talking about kernels recently at The Reg FOSS desk, today we're exploring options outside …

[bombastic bob]

I'm guessing that Devuan might [not] be able to use the Debian kernel?

not sure if the kernel has an option to NOT use systemd though... (as I recall the init system main program's path and file name have to be compiled into the kernel, not sure what this implies in 2022 except that maybe this kernel will not work with Devuan)

it has been a while since I had to compile a Linux kernel. I used to do it a lot for embedded stuff. It's probably an option in 'make config' though I nearly always used 'make oldconfig' so setting it up was a REALLY long time ago... (and not done very often)

[pr549]

Re: I'm guessing that Devuan might [not] be able to use the Debian kernel?

The linux kernel has accepted an 'init=....' parameter for forever. Passed by the bootloader. And there's 'rdinit=' if you need to do odd things with just the initrd.

https://www.kernel.org/doc/html/v5.14/admin-guide/kernel-parameters.html

for a recent list.

[bombastic bob]

Re: I'm guessing that Devuan might [not] be able to use the Debian kernel?

ok thanks - I had never compiled a non-embedded Linux kernel, nor one above version 2.6 . It has been a while. Dynamic kernel modules have eliminated the need, for the most part (I have compiled quite a number of those, however, separate from the kernel compiling). And as I'm not busy trying to fit a Linux kernel into a 2M flash [actually did that] there has not been any need.

(so yeah, good to know)

[Grogan]

Re: I'm guessing that Devuan might [not] be able to use the Debian kernel?

Besides... there is likely a copy of the systemd binary renamed to init in /sbin (and sbin -> /usr/sbin in those silly distros these days)

Also, it's more that the kernel CAN be configured with a different default init path (something other than "/sbin/init") but it doesn't mean that a distributor IS doing that. I'd be surprised if Debian would break that convention.

[cyberdemon]

Re: I'm guessing that Devuan might [not] be able to use the Debian kernel?

Eh? Why should the kernel care about which process it spawns first?

[Graham Dawson]

Re: I'm guessing that Devuan might [not] be able to use the Debian kernel?

It shouldn't, but poettering is sure doing his best to ensure that systemd is the only process available.

[jake]

Re: I'm guessing that Devuan might [not] be able to use the Debian kernel?

How it is perverted by the various distributions notwithstanding, The Kernel itself is init agnostic, and Linus has stated it will remain that way as long as he is in charge.

[Steve Graham]

Re: I'm guessing that Devuan might [not] be able to use the Debian kernel?

# cd /usr/src

# cp linux-A.B.C/.config linux-A.B.D/

# cd linux-A.B.D/

# yes "" | make oldconfig

# make ; make modules_install ; make install

make cup of coffee

I've been compiling Linux kernels specific to my own machines for years, and I think I only had one that failed (I can't remember why) although I occasionally do one that doesn't boot if I've been fiddling with something.

[Zimmer]

A Big THANK YOU

My new motherboard has been waiting for a newer kernel to get the network card working; I've been using a wireless dongle for a few months hoping Mint would catch up...

Problem solved with Liquorix.. so far...

[Anonymous Coward]

Debian bullseye-backports has 5.15

https://packages.debian.org/bullseye-backports/linux-image-amd64

[John Brown (no body)]

I'm confused....

"Linux alternative Liquorix"

How is this an alternative and not just YAD? (Yet Another Distro)

[PriorKnowledge]

Re: I'm confused....

it’s YAK that’s why!

[Dave559]

Re: I'm confused....

And, for the avoidance of doubt, it isn't a YAK that lives in a HURD (those are really quite rare in the wild)…

[David 132]

Re: I'm confused....

Right now, sure. But we'll be seeing HURDs aaaaany day now. Real soon. Right around the corner. So close. So very, very imminent.

[W.S.Gosset]

Re: I'm confused....

The team's just got to finish off Nuclear Fusion, then HURD is next on their list.

[MJB7]

Re: I'm confused....

Duke Nukem has shipped

Berlin Brandenburg has opened

JWST has launched

Jubilee line is going to open this year (pinkie promise)

Can't be long before HURD releases ... can it?

[jake]

Why not futz with your kernel? Simple answer, really ...

If a given kernel works for your hardware, and gets regular security updates, there is no real reason to install a newer kernel. I'm still using 4.4.x in a lot of places, including MeDearOldMum, GreatAunt and Wife's computers. It does what it needs to do, is rock-solid, supports all their hardware, and blissfully stays out of the way while they use their computers. Can't ask for much more than that in an OS.