The kernel release lifecycle

• Week 0: the merge window opens

• • All new features and major changes merged
  • Can be several thousand patches

• Week 2: 2.6.x-rc1 is released

• • Merge window closes – no new features (usually)
  • Patch rate remains high – but should all be fixes

• Weeks 3-8: additional -rc releases

• • Patch rate slows as bugs get fixed

• Week 8: 2.6.x is released

• • 2.6.x.y bug fix releases come later