Zen is a variant of the Linux kernel that performs two major functions: (1) optimizes for desktop setups, and (2) provides a user base for project admins seeking testing for their project on various setups - these projects may or may not be seeking inclusion into the upstream Linux kernel. So, in essence, the kernel gears for desktop systems by adjusting tuning knobs and merging projects that suit this purpose in one way or another (for example, the BFS cpu scheduler is added _in addition_ to the default CFS scheduler). Additionally there are multiple things added and changed in the kernel that not everybody will benefit from (perhaps driver updates/additions and various bug fixes). The idea is to benefit Linux desktop end-users, kernel developers, and perhaps even more individuals.
Zen is a collaborative effort that includes a small group of developers but also a fairly large community that contributes much like the developers do.
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If you are interested in learning about what is included in the zen kernel at any given time, please visit gitweb and read or search through the git logs. The gitweb interface displays all of the commits with commit messages and branches that exist in that tree. This information is displayed for the current 'master' branch of the tree and for any of the existing tags (so you can go back and check on an older release).
Alternatively there is an extensive documentation that also explains several projects merged into a Zen kernel, this can be found on the Documentation page.
]]>If you are including the Zen kernel in your project in anyway (such as one mentioned above) shoot an email (preferably to cheater-conrad) , talk to us on IRC, or shoot an email to the ML.
You can make your own button (png format) or give us your logo and we could make it and put it up ourselves.
]]>Read through the documentation and any other information throughout the web site (particularly the documentation page and gitweb) - if you can't find any reason to use it then don't use it. I can't say you should use it - do the research and decide for yourself.
I don't earn a commission by getting people to use it so I won't sell it to you.
]]>host@host # git pull
Auto-merged .gitignore
Auto-merged MAINTAINERS
Auto-merged Makefile
CONFLICT (content): Merge conflict in Makefile
Removed arch/mips/lasat/sysctl.h
Auto-merged drivers/ata/libata-scsi.c
Auto-merged drivers/char/Kconfig
Auto-merged drivers/char/drm/ati_pcigart.c
Auto-merged drivers/char/drm/drm.h
Auto-merged drivers/char/drm/drm_drv.c
CONFLICT (content): Merge conflict in drivers/char/drm/drm_drv.c
...
Automatic merge failed; fix conflicts and then commit the result.
host@host # git add .; git reset --hard; git branch -M master master-old; git checkout -b master origin/master; git branch -D master-old