pre-compiled aufs modules for Ubuntu Hardy will be available soon. Today, the linux-ubuntu-modules git has seen the commit which adds the aufs module for generic and server kernels on the i386 and amd64 architectures. But this is not the only thing. 5 patches from the aufs source have been commited to Ubuntu Hardy’s kernel repo. 1. [Export __lookup_hash](https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/kernel-team/2008-January/002036.html): and is needed for NFS 2. [Export put_filp](https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/kernel-team/2008-January/002037.html): This patch exports put_filp and is needed for NFS. 3. [Export do_splice_from and do_splice_to](https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/kernel-team/2008-January/002038.html): 4. [Export security_inode_permission()](https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/kernel-team/2008-January/002039.html), also used by UnionFS, where it is currently disabled 5. [Export deny_write_access()](https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/kernel-team/2008-January/002040.html): The aufs source package will see an update in Debian soon, which will be sync’ed into Ubuntu Hardy. This update uses the same code as the aufs code in linux-ubuntu-modules. This new code has improved XFS support, improved TMPFS support, improved support for lhash and put_filp patches. It’s also the first revision to support kernel 2.6.24. ... Read more 》

Neil, you have problems with your HP laptop. But this is not HP’s fault. The laptop you bought has been designed for use with windows only, like all (?) other HP laptops for home users. Most (all?) HPs Business products are fully Linux compatible and come with pre-installed FreeDOS. A few months ago, I bought an HP Compaq 6720s (GR 644ET), installed Ubuntu 7.10 64-bit on it, and everything worked out of the box (except eth0, due to problems in Ubuntu’s kernel). I have absolutely no problems with my laptop, even the built-in card reader works out of the box. ... Read more 》

April 2007, I joined the Fellowship of the Free Software Foundation Europe. I also became involved in the development of Debian GNU/Linux with my first package, aufs, sponsored by Daniel Baumann. This was the starting point for my Debian stuff. Now I maintain 6 packages in Debian. One of the most interesting packages is gnome-app-install, which will be part of the gnome-desktop task (already added to tasksel’s list). Users will be able to install applications easily. It also activates the automatic codec installation, so users will be able to play most multimedia files easily. ... Read more 》