How to compile your first Linux kernel (and 3 reasons why you should)

Andrew Peacock/Getty Images I remember the first time I compiled a Linux kernel. I was nervous. It was something I'd never done before, and it seemed like an incredibly difficult task. After all, isn't the kernel the stuff of elite programmers? If so, why would I even bother? Because I could. Also: These Linux distributions are best for developers And because all of the cool open-source, alternakids were doing it. If I wanted to fit in, I had to make (see what I did there?) it happen. So, I downloaded the kernel source, took a deep breath, and dove in. This would have been around 2000 or 2001, and when I successfully pulled it off, I'm sure I did a happy dance or two. But how did I do it? Believe it or not, the process of compiling the Linux kernel isn't nearly as hard as you might think. It is time-consuming, but it's a challenge you can certainly overcome. Why would you want to compile the kernel? There are three reasons why you might want to do this: You want to use a ne ... Read full article.