This kernel is simply huge: there is so many new and improved features with this particular release that it's mind-boggling. I'm having difficulty remembering such a time a kernel release was so large.
The quick summary of Linux 5.6 changes include: WireGuard, USB4, open-source NVIDIA RTX 2000 series support, AMD Pollock enablement, lots of new hardware support, a lot of file-system / storage work, multi-path TCP bits are finally going mainline, Year 2038 work beginning to wrap-up for 32-bit systems, the new AMD TEE driver for tapping the Secure Processor, the first signs of AMD Zen 3, better AMD Zen/Zen2 thermal and power reporting under Linux, at long last having an in-kernel SATA drive temperature for HWMON, and a lot of other kernel infrastructure improvements.
(Score: 2) by Appalbarry on Tuesday February 11 2020, @02:32AM (5 children)
While you guys and gals are geeking out, I just need to know one thing: can I stick a USB into my laptop and have everything just work?
(Score: 3, Informative) by Booga1 on Tuesday February 11 2020, @02:54AM
The last few flavors of Linux I've tried had all USB devices work instantly when plugged in. That goes for Mint, Knoppix, and Raspbian. The devices were keyboards, mice, game pads, headsets with microphones, thumb drives, and SD card adapters. The web cams worked, but were a little fiddly to get full resolution, framerate, and remote control. However, the webcams were fiddly in Windows too.
I certainly don't miss the days of needing to manually add USB mount points for devices and all that junk.
If you're talking about using a USB bootable drive to run Linux that would depend on your machine. However, since the cost is one USB drive, I would suggest trying it out. Worst thing you'd have to do is put a different distribution on there and reboot.
(Score: 2) by The Mighty Buzzard on Tuesday February 11 2020, @04:27AM
Depends on what USB device you're talking about. If it just hit the shelves three days ago, maybe. If it's a few months old, almost certainly.
My rights don't end where your fear begins.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday February 11 2020, @06:17AM
USB things I have had trouble with in Linux over the past 10 years:
1. Video over USB :(
2. Crappy electronic photo frame someone gave me.
(Score: 2) by Coward, Anonymous on Tuesday February 11 2020, @07:52AM (1 child)
USBTMC (USB Test & Measurement Class) for oscilloscopes, etc. has worked a lot more smoothly for me on Linux than Windows. Linux PyUSBTMC has been flawless for many years, while Windows uses manufacturer-specific VISA drivers that are a nightmare.
(Score: 2) by Coward, Anonymous on Tuesday February 11 2020, @07:59AM
Sorry, I meant python-usbtmc [github.com] not PyUSBTMC.