linux-kernel-rebuilding-optimizing

make menuconfig 
make xconfig
make config
make oldconfig?

these will help you create, through question and answer, the options that you
want in your version of the linux kernel...

/usr/source/linux/.config is the file produced with the answers - that's all it does


make mrproper       //cleans the kernel config to default settings

make help | more    //


as you go through each option you are usually presented with the following choices:

y = into the kernel
m = module connecting to the kernel (if available)
n = skip
? = get help on that feature/driver