sorry...i''m kind of new to linux...and i was trying to download a driver for linux and i came across something called a ''kernel-source RPM'' what is it? does it come with linux, or do i have tod ownload it seperately.

I eat heart attacks

johnc82

122

March 07, 2004 11:32 AM

RPM == Redhat Package Management (http://www.rpm.org)
kernel-source == kernel source code -> use to recompile the kernel

:-)

smitty1276

560

March 07, 2004 11:41 AM

In simple terms, it''s sort of the Linux equivelant to a Windows "setup" type program...

In linux you can either download the source and compile it, OR you can in many canses download the binary RPMs, and use rpm -i on the command line to install the package for you.

Most window managers (Gnome, KDE, etc) have a right-click context menu option to install RPMs as well.

Of course, this all depends on which distro your using. Some have no package support at all, and RPMs are easier to find for some (RedHat and Mandrake for example) than for others.

Have fun...

Cipher3D

Author

340

March 07, 2004 11:58 AM

speaking of the kernel code, to edit it, do you edit them source code IN linux itself, and then recompile...and then restart to view changes?

I eat heart attacks

GaMe wIg

122

March 07, 2004 12:04 PM

Of course, the kernel loads itself into ram while booting so you can write over the binary file and reboot to see the changes. I know it sounds weird, but it''s not as weird as compiling gcc