LinuxCon Japan: Making kernel developers less grumpy

I've been complimented on being one of the politest developers on LKML. I jump into heated flames all the time without resorting to insults, even when insults are directed at me.

But as I started working on more core kernel code, and becoming more responsible for code that was used by a wider audience, I started getting some of these crazy requests. I started with the polite responses, but that just seemed to bring more craziness my direction. Then the polite brush offs, which also attracted this crap. Ignoring it made me look unprofessional (not responding to email). Finally I resorted to some insulting feedback and that seemed to work.

I wasted my own time trying to be nice. One thing that you can get from Greg's report is that kernel developers have very limited time. Time is our most precious resource. If being polite wastes time, and a quick jab is more effective, then those quick jabs become the efficient process.

Sorry, but unfortunately it's just part of the job. Now, as we are still humans, some developers can go overboard with their insults. But just imagine getting email every day from people that don't make the effort to understand the process. When being a bit of a jerk back either makes them understand or just go away, and you get more work done, one tends on being that jerk.

If you're creative with your insult you might even get the added benefit of appearing on LWN's "Quote of the week" :-)