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