Since knoppix 3.3 uses the linux kernel and distrowatch.com lists knoppix 3.3 as having the 2.4.24 kernel, your question could best be researched using google and reading the info it finds. http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&i...cesses&spell=1
You can read a summary of the actual linux kernel developers emails at http://www.kerneltraffic.org/kernel-.../archives.html and http://www.kerneltrap.org/ is also another great place for kernel information.
I hope this helps.
James