it's complex but perhaps not complicated ;P
I'm still relatively new to all the custom flashing etc., but had a question about cm9 and the multiple versions for the froyo and gingerbread kernels.
I quote from
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1353003 "Builds from the 7.Dec and after are made for gingerbread kernel (2.3.4 betas for defy and/or for 2.3.6 recent defy+)"
You should read that first post carefully because it has info about what the kernel-differences are between builds.
Also study the first 3 posts in this thread about CM9/ICS instructions and bugreports, has links to different kernels and info on kernel choice
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=20097916#post20097916
Does that mean if you have a green lens defy, you should use a certain kernel? ideally wouldn't you want the newest kernel?
Green-lens (SOC) camera has problem with some Kernels !!!
Some new Defy+ phones can not downgrade to 2.3.4 kernel so development of CM9/ICS nightlies is in separate branches.
To understand better read this:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1216982
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=966537
does cm7use froyo or gingerbread kernel?
CM7 is now "old" and made for FROYO kernel DEFY.
CM7.2 Nightlies are NEW and use both froyo and gingerbread kernel, so you must install a nightly build compatible with the kernel AND hardware you have. Variants are many, Defy greenlens, Defy redlens, Defy+ (redlens+bigger battery, no froyo-downgrade possibility etc because of locked moto-bootloader and Efuses )
why wouldn't cm9 use an ics kernel? is there an ics kernel?
For older defy phones cm9 builds after 7dec2011 uses 2.3.4 kernel
For new defy+ phones cm9 builds use 2.3.6 kernel
Kernels are NOT INCLUDED in (most?) CM9 Nightlies !
I hope this isn't too silly a question.
not silly ! it's all very confusing in the begining, and my answers are not 100% truth, because there are so many versions of defy/defy+ firm/soft/hard-ware etc so it's impossible to generalize, so for better understanding you have to study the forum and the guides more.
Have fun
