Stable kernel 2.6.27.5 [LWN.net]

Stable kernel 2.6.27.5

Posted Nov 9, 2008 23:34 UTC (Sun) by sbergman27 (guest, #10767) [Link]

I make a distinction between horseplay on the mailing lists and inappropriate flippancy in release announcements, intended for public consumption, pertaining to serious subjects like, say, security vulnerabilities. Why some people are so eager to extrapolate from that position to one which prohibits the expression of emotion entirely is unknown. There is a time and place for levity, and a time and place for serious presentation of information. Confuse the two and credibility suffers. Most people learn that by the time they graduate from high school.

Stable kernel 2.6.27.5

Posted Nov 9, 2008 23:47 UTC (Sun) by bojan (subscriber, #14302) [Link]

To me, this:

> are strongly encouraged to upgrade. Very strongly. Did I mention that you all should upgrade? Seriously, what are you waiting for?

Is not even funny. It's sad that people releasing the kernel need to pretend like this and use euphemisms for "we fixed known security bugs in this release". And all while claiming that security bugs should not be treated differently than any other bugs.

If one knows about the problem and admits to it, at least one walks away from it with honesty still intact. Otherwise, one turns in a politician-like word-mincer.

Stable kernel 2.6.27.5

Posted Nov 10, 2008 10:28 UTC (Mon) by tialaramex (subscriber, #21167) [Link]

Watch that victory speech one more time. Isn't it (by your definition) inappropriate flippancy to use an address to the entire population of the world, upon being elected to the highest office in the most powerful nation, to tell your kids they can have a dog?

There's a saying in the army (a deadly serious profession if ever there was one) that if you can't take a joke you shouldn't have joined. Black humour indeed since the saying is thought to originate from the period of conscription. But they're quite serious. Refusing to see the funny side doesn't give you credibility, it makes you look inhuman.

This announcement conveys its message (what was released, and what you should do about it) and it has a little fun. I'm sure any number of software release RSS feeds relayed it in a form suitable for machines, lacking any humour or humanity and you are welcome to subscribe.

Stable kernel 2.6.27.5

Posted Nov 10, 2008 11:58 UTC (Mon) by bojan (subscriber, #14302) [Link]

> to tell your kids they can have a dog

So, he was referring there to some specific policy of the new administration? I don't think so.

On the other hand, this release of Linux refers to serious security issues with weasel words in an (unsuccessful) attempt to be funny. If the release notes were peppered with real words explaining the reasons for being strongly encouraged to upgrade, then it may even have been funny.

Stable kernel 2.6.27.5

Posted Nov 10, 2008 14:46 UTC (Mon) by sbergman27 (guest, #10767) [Link]

I find it fascinating just how far some fans will go in defending their team when a member of that team exercises poor judgement in public.

Stable kernel 2.6.27.5

Posted Nov 10, 2008 17:05 UTC (Mon) by drag (subscriber, #31333) [Link]

To be honest I don't think being flippant is a very bad thing. Even in public. It's somewhat bad, but not enough to make me care.

I am tired of P.C. and corporate-speak and all that shit. I've been hearing it all my life and all it's really used for is trying to obscure the facts and slip in subtle advertisements rather then transmitting honest information. It's confusing, irritating, and usually somewhat dishonest. That is what I call a 'bad thing'.

Between this kernel announcement and the horseshit, misleading information, and out and out lies that I see continuously on anti-virus websites and all sorts of other security-related software and corporate announcements/pronouncements/press releases... I'll take a flippant kernel announcement every time.