October Should Be Very Exciting For Linux Enthusiasts

While September was very exciting for Linux users, October is looking to be even more exciting with several open-source/Linux milestones expected before month's end.

Among the excitement to look forward to this month includes:

Linux 4.8 - This latest stable Linux kernel should be formally released today.

Linux 4.9 Merge Window - As soon as Linux 4.8 is out, the two-week merge window for Linux 4.9 will open up. We've already covered some of the changes for some of the Linux 4.9 work while stay tuned to Phoronix for daily coverage of other interesting material for this next kernel version.

Next Mesa Release - We should see a big release of Mesa due before month's end. This version will likely be called Mesa 13.0 and features complete OpenGL 4.4 for Intel and the Radeon/NVC0 drivers are also nearly at OpenGL 4.5. The Intel Mesa driver has all OpenGL 4.5 extensions wired in but it doesn't yet officially expose "OpenGL 4.5" until formal compliance is ensured.

Potential Merging Of RADV - Related to the Mesa 13.0 release, the RADV Radeon Vulkan driver merging to mainline Mesa may be imminent. There's been a call to get this open-source Radeon Vulkan driver merged in time for this next release.

Ubuntu 16.10 - Ubuntu 16.10 is being released in less than two weeks for those interested in the Yakkety Yak.

X.Org Server 1.19 - X.Org Server 1.19 is expected to debut this month with threaded input support, better XWayland, improvements to GLAMOR 2D acceleration, and more.

Fedora 25 Getting Buttoned Up For Release - Development on Fedora 25 will be finishing up for its debut in mid-November. Fedora 25 may end up being the first tier-one Linux distribution shipping with Wayland by default.

GNOME 3.24 Development Heating Up - With GNOME 3.22 out the door, GNOME 3.24 development is heating up. GTK will be merging the GTK Scene Kit this cycle, continued Wayland improvements are expected, and other Linux desktop improvements.

KDE Plasma 5.8 - Plasma 5.8 is expected to be released this week with many improvements and will be the first Long-Term Support release of Plasma 5.

Anything else to get excited about this month? Share anything I may have missed via commenting on this article in our forums.