Re: WTF does -rc mean? was [PATCH] x86, tsc: fix section mismatch warning

[Nick Piggin <nickpiggin@yahoo.com.au>]

On Monday 18 August 2008 13:03, Shane wrote:

> This is the third** -rc cycle where I have composed what is meant to
> be a scorching
> email to the kernel list about the mind blowing decline in -rc kernel
> developer attitude.
> I didn't send the other two but I just spent another two flippin'
> hours booting and
> fsck'in. And I am very cranky  (to put it politely) because the
> bleep'n problem is known
> and the fix has been available for at least 7 days!!
>
> I of course understand that there will be bugs in the -rc kernels,
> that is why I bother putting
> the time and energy into testing them.  It is mainly the lackadaisical
> attitude about getting
> the fixes in that is a mind blower.
>
> I am a (fairly long time) tester/luser of the kernel. I do it for fun
> and to learn.
> It isn't fun anymore.

It stands for "ridiculous count". I'm not joking.

If you want something approaching a "release candidate", you have to
use the last one or two -rcN releases before the final release. This
obviously requires guesswork.