The kernel once had a paid documenter

Posted Feb 5, 2024 15:21 UTC (Mon) by sdalley (subscriber, #18550)
In reply to: The things nobody wants to pay for by apollock
Parent article: The things nobody wants to pay for

I can't remember the details now, but about 20 years ago I distinctly recall a well-known and very kernel-knowledgeable developer being hired by (I think) the Linux Foundation to work specifically on the kernel documentation.

And being dismayed, a few months later, to read in LWN that this same developer was being "let go" (what a charming expression) again because of financial constraints something something.

Maybe somebody can recall the specifics.

The kernel once had a paid documenter

Posted Feb 14, 2024 23:11 UTC (Wed) by plougher (guest, #21620) [Link]

> I can't remember the details now, but about 20 years ago I distinctly recall a well-known and very kernel-knowledgeable developer being hired by (I think) the Linux Foundation to work specifically on the kernel documentation.

You're probably remembering Rob Landley, to quote from his online resume/CV (https://www.landley.net/resume.html).

"2007 Position: Fellowship from the Linux Foundation

Project: Linux Kernel Documentation. Six month fellowship to create and maintain a central kernel documentation website, improve and maintain existing documentation and related tools, and write new documentation. Started "http://kernel.org/doc" directory (see source control repository at "http://landley.net/hg/kdocs", and May-Oct 2007 in the mailing list archive at "http://marc.info/?l=linux-doc")."

Also see https://www.linux.com/news/ols-kernel-documentation-and-s...