A major release of Linux kernel 2.6.28 was a special Christmas gift from Linus Torvalds to everyone. Solid improvements are done to this operating system.
Here listed are the five reasons for why you should change to Linux today:
First reason: Ext4
Ext4 is a step ahead in the file systems of Linux. It improvises the hard drive storage. This results in a larger file-system leading to larger file sizes. It gives a speedy I/O, superior journaling and defragments the drive on fly.
Particularly, the delay allocation function of Ext4 enhances the disk write efficiency. This will give a significant improvement in running the database servers. Further, Ext4 handles 1024 peta bytes volume of data, and hence will turn out as the top file system for servers in next decade.
Second reason: Graphics Execution Manager (GEM)
In Linux 2.6.28, the Graphics Execution Manager or GEM is included. It manages graphics memory on a card or in the main memory. GEM accelerates 50% faster even an ordinary graphics chip like Intel 915. Currently, only 915 is supported by GEM and its work is in progress.
Third reason: Disk Shock Protection
If a laptop gets dropped on the floor, the hard drive may get smacked. Laptop vendors have worked on this by incorporating the drop protection in notebooks.
This is done simply by moving the read / write heads of the hard drive away from the disk in the event if the notebook detects that it is moving faster and is about to slam the floor.
Linux didn’t work according to this type of protection. This means Linux may attempt to get the drive head for writing while the notebook tries to move it away whenever it the laptop drops suddenly.
Linux is now working on shock proof hard drives.
Fourth Reason: Staging Drivers
Previously, Linux provided only some support for devices. Most of the devices were not even supported in main kernel. With the struggle to support as many devices as possible the kernel level precedence lagged for most of them.
Greg Kroah-Hartman has created a staging tree for the drivers of devices. It is not required to make use of it, but it is available if you need it. For example, when accessing USB/IP, the driver allows access of USB devices over IP. Suppose a printer in the Belkin network of an USB hub is to be accessed. This may not seem correct, but Linux allows access to that printer, hence a win situation.
Fifth reason: Network improvements
The kernel 2.6.28 supports Ultra Wide Band or UWB, USB, Wireless, UWB-IP and Phonet Network Protocol of Nokia mobile phone. Additionally, it supports minstrel Wi-Fi rate control. Minstrel is an add-on to Wi-Fi which keeps a watch on AP performance in the proximity and connects you to the fastest performance delivering AP.
So whatever may sound good to you in this article here, it is advisable to either upgrade the PC to Linux 2.6.28 or nevertheless start boasting the Linux distribution group to grab 2.6.28 as early as possible. You will be happy!
