Well, this settles it for me

Posted Sep 7, 2009 7:44 UTC (Mon) by k8to (guest, #15413)
In reply to: Well, this settles it for me by bvdm
Parent article: BFS vs. mainline scheduler benchmarks and measurements

In conversations among engineers throughout silicon valley who have reason to push their code into or hack on Linux, the view of the LKML as unworkably hostile, short sighted, and unwilling to accept external ideas is now the norm. This is essentially a complete reversal from 10 years ago when people viewed it as relatively open and inviting.

Yes, this is subjective and I'm sure it has noise. I think it's also the truth.

Well, this settles it for me

Posted Sep 7, 2009 8:03 UTC (Mon) by bvdm (guest, #42755) [Link] (1 responses)

You are a fortunate man to have the time and opportunity to traverse Silicon Valley so thoroughly :-p

But seriously, the only objective measures we have are the number of contributors and SLOC added, and both of these are still accelerating.

Now I would be astounded if the Linux kernel were the only technical project in the world without non-technical problems, but don't you think there are many other explanations for this change in perception? Such as, perhaps:

- That having your code included in the kernel has a much increased monetary benefit and is therefore more sought after
- That the existing kernel developers have increased in their experience and skill and that standards for acceptance are therefore higher today
- That the stature of being a core kernel developer has risen and that ego may be involved
- That many parts of the kernel is near-optimal or at least very mature and that it is sensible to value stability in those areas

And are the driver staging tree and desktop and security advances such as KMS and SMACK not countersigns to what you are suggesting?

Well, this settles it for me

Posted Sep 7, 2009 18:24 UTC (Mon) by k8to (guest, #15413) [Link]

It's not the money.

It's likely to be driven by standards, but the contention is that these standards are often more arbitrary than useful.

Ego on the part of the maintainers is certainly involved. Among my contacts, ego on the part of the author has certain not *risen* in the interim, although it may be high (I doubt it).

Stability has certainly become more prized.