ZDNet: Linux 2.4 unmasked

"Actually, to the hardcore Linux user, the release of 2.4 as a 'stable' kernel has little practical significance. After all, numerous 2.4 'test' releases have been usable for most purposes for months while obscure bugs were being tracked down; and there are sure to be more minor bugs found in the 2.4 tree over time."

"In the closed-source world, releases are a big deal because they are seen very seldom and usually contain major feature additions. By contrast, an open-source software release is essentially a milestone -- a declaration that what was already available is now stable."

"Thus, it's amusing to read uninformed opinions about how 2.4 was 'vaporware' and 'behind schedule.' In reality, the latest Linux is always constantly available! Get this: open-source projects just don't have formal schedules in the sense that closed, commercial projects do."

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