We explore some optimizations designed to deliver a smoother experience for desktop users.

The Kconfig configuration system makes it easy to configure and customize the Linux kernel. But how does it work? We'll take a deep dive inside Kconfig.

How do you find a process running on a Linux system by start time? The question sounds trivial, but the answer is trickier than it first appears.

Lockdown mode makes your Linux system more secure and even prevents root users from modifying the kernel.

The kernel supports performance analysis with built-in tools via the Linux performance counters subsystem. perf is easy to use and offers a detailed view of performance data.

When you update the kernel, the old version remains on the disk. If you clean up, the reward is several hundred megabytes of free disk space.

The Linux /proc virtual filesystem offers a window into a running system – look inside for information on processes and kernel activity.

Security vulnerabilities in the kernel often remain undetected. The kernel hacker initiative, Kernel Self-Protection, promotes safe programming techniques to keep attackers off the network, and, if they do slip through the net, mitigate the consequences.