Torvalds: Linux 2.6 beta coming

[Tweaker]

Although Linus Torvalds didn't meet a goal to release the upcoming 2.6 version of the Linux operating system in June, the Linux leader said a test version could come as soon as next week.

"I'm planning on starting the so-called 'pre-2.6' series in early July, and that is kind of a beta series," Torvalds said Wednesday in an interview. He and Andrew Morton, the programmer who will maintain the 2.6 version, "are talking about starting a pre-2.6 series next week," Torvalds said.

"It will most likely take a few months after that for the real 2.6.0," he said. "And, as usual, the thing doesn't stop there. It usually takes at least half a year before vendors really switch over."


It's good to hear Linus is going more by quality than schedules. We've all experienced what happens when an immature product is released. On the other hand when Microsoft delayed the release of 2k for reasons of quality they got blasted for missing their schedule. When they release stuff on time, they get blasted for putting deadlines over quality. For my money I'll take quality over meeting deadlines anytime.

More on this here. (http://news.com.com/2100-1016-1023130.html)

[twistedcranium]

Yup...quality over schedule is ALWAYS better for the end user.

The company I work for releases a new version twice a year, and we get blasted when a release date slips. I am soooooo friggin tired of "we gotta get it out there before so-and-so does".

I won't go into software development processes but I must say, from being on the inside looking out as well as being an end user....I think the whole industry needs a SHOT IN THE ARM, a new outlook on development....the 80s and 90s are over....I doubt anyone wants to spend their HARD-EARNED money on something just to have it first, they'd rather wait a bit and get something that will WORK.

I think that the linux movement will take some steps to forcing quality on software companies. A company has to work a bit harder on a quality product to beat an already existing opensource product of solid quality. Linus' move to take time off a paying gig to work on the kernel, is some evidence that he feels safe enough to do it, so it is bound to be a damn good thing for all.