The Linux 3.18 Kernel Brings Many Great Changes

The Linux 3.18 kernel is expected to be released this weekend and with this major update to the kernel are -- as usual -- an exciting number of changes and new features.

If you've fallen behind in your Phoronix reading with already having written dozens of articles about Linux 3.18 and carried out many tests already of this new kernel code, here's some of the highlights for end-users with Linux 3.18:

- Users of older R600 era ATI graphics cards now have R600 UVD support for GPU-based video decode acceleration while newer AMD GPUs have already been supported on the open-source stack.

- Radeon re-clocking improvements will benefit some open-source AMD Linux graphics driver users.

- Those using the open-source, reverse-engineered NVIDIA Linux driver (Nouveau) now have DisplayPort audio support and continued work on the long-standing battle for proper GPU re-clocking support.

- For Linux gamers, the Razer Sabertooth is now supported and there's improvements for other hardware input devices.

- Much faster suspend and resume support if you have yourself a large Linux server.

- Btrfs and F2FS improvements.

- Para-virtualized SCSI support (PVSCSI) is now available for Xen.

- The Linux 3.18 kernel is closer to being able to be compiled under Clang.

- OverlayFS was finally merged.

This next Linux kernel release is codenamed the Diseased Newt. Unless any last minute issues come up, expect the Linux 3.18 kernel to be officially released on Sunday (tomorrow).