Linux Kernel 2.6.27-5.8

Changelog (change on URL "rc8" to "rc7," etc. for the older changelogs) | Ubuntu Proposal | Ubuntu Announcement | intrepid-changes Announcement 1 | intrepid-changes Announcement 2 | intrepid-changes Announcement 3| intrepid-changes Announcement 4 | intrepid-changes Announcement 5 | intrepid-changes Announcement 6 | intrepid-changes Announcement 7

Linux kernel 2.6.27, in development at RC8, has been prepared for Intrepid. This is from 2.6.26-5.15, Ubuntu's modified version of Linux kernel 2.6.26.

This is a good move, since by Intrepid's KernelFreeze on October 16th, this version will have matured. Also, the Ubuntu developers noticed, that this version focused unusually on bug-fixes and also introduced dependencies necessary for 8.10 pre-configured (such as ALSA 1.0.17 needed for PulseAudio 0.9.11, which fixes a lot of regressions that many Ubuntu-ers are facing.)

At Hardy's release, it shipped a one late version of the Linux kernel, due to Ubuntu's motto "Always stick to an old version, no matter what." Just kidding; it's just that Ubuntu always does this to its default applications (*cough-Transmission-cough*) due to its early feature freezes. It's very possible that 2.6.27 will reach final release by 8.10 final, but even if it doesn't, it will be stable, no doubt.

Other than that, this, like with all kernel updates, supports new hardware and improves compatibility with existing hardware. Nice.

So after much discussion, decisions were made to move to 2.6.27, which will hopefully provide "a more robust experience" for users.

UPDATE: I've learned from this Tombuntu article some information about kernels:

• Odd number releases are less stable than even number releases because they introduce more features, but nevertheless still stable.
• The last time Ubuntu updated a kernel 3 versions was from Edgy to Feisty, which is unusual, as it usually updates two versions.
  

I find this rather ironic and funny, as in that blog post, he linked to my Ubuntu Forums topic, and here, I linked to that post that linked to my topic. He links me, I link him. Lol.

UPDATE 2: Added last three intrepid-changes links.