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Linus Tries Out BitKeeper
Flammon writes: "Linus has been overloaded
with patches for a while and recently the issue started to become hot again. In an unprecedented move, Linus has started using BitKeeper, as reported by Linux Today. The benefits of BitKeeper are already showing from the large amount of detail provided in the latest unstable kernel pre-release." eirikref adds: "Read Linus' own statement and take a look at the BK web interface."
How much time does Linus have to dedicate to all these patches that get submitted ?
Would a seperate fork, with sections maintained by indiviudal groups be best ? 4 or 5 guys in charge of VM, 4 or 5 guys in charge of Hardware, they would only be responsible for review and merging.
I know ill get blasted for fork speak, but sometimes its a good thing, (While youre at it optimize for the x86...lol)
Linus is the all benevolent creator and Linux god granted, respect is due, We however are the users, the ones in need, Linux was intended to fill this need, if it reaches a point because of whatever reason, perhaps a branching, is best for it as a whole. I dont think anyone actually asked Linus if he wanted the development to consume his life (Maybe he does, I dont know, it dosent matter)
All this is an awful lot to ask of any one man, mortal or not. Perhaps Linus would welcome this as an oppurtunity to do other things.
I hope this will make Linus's life easier, Sometimes people continue on a path out of a feeling of obligation, does Linus do this now because, 1 He wants to, 2 He feels like he has to
3 Nobody else has stepped up to offer a solution.
Sig went tro...aahemmm.....fishing........
Bitmover has thow worst of both worlds, it gives you the source but you arent allowed to modify it to remove the one thing you dont want.
I think they did it just to annoy people.
It's somewhat sad that Linux, which has often been referred to as the pearl of Free Software, will now be developed using non-free software.
One of the immediate consequences I can see from this move is that Debian users will no longer be able to participate in active (ie. more than just sending in patches) kernel development, as Debian policy states that Debian can only include Free Software. Of course, they can install the proprietary BitKeeper from an unoffical non-free apt source, but I doubt most Debian users will be willing to do this. Judging by what I've seen, several leading kernel developers, notably Ben Collins, are Debian users. A resolution must be found to this problem, even if it involves one of the bigger companies purchasing BitMover just to set the code free. In the long term, judging by the fervent vigilance of the Free Software community, I could forsee that this could be a very nice excuse for a fork of the Linux kernel which will be developed using Free Software only, such as CVS.
Of course, there's also the "laughing stock" factor. Whilst it may not be so bad for the Linux community, the Free Software community (if they can be set apart) will have less to be proud about when it comes to the kernel.
For sure, this has made kernel development somewhat less accessible to a large group of Linux users. I've always believed that revision control could help Linus, but surely the Free Software community has something at least as good as, if not better than the propretary offerings? Otherwise, we're no better off than using Microsoft SourceSafe.
Slashdotters should know better than most the difference between free beer and free speech.
/* you are not expected to understand this */
Potato chips are a by-yourself food.
I don't usually do this, but here goes:
<troll>That wouldn't be much of a game...try the Canadian Nation Hockey team</troll>
-Ben
PS: Don't take offence, just a little national pride!
n the event that the Open Logging servers cease to function for 180 days,
BitMover has written into the license that the software shall be licensed under the GPL.
So DOS the heel out off those servers and make it gpl software!
Linux isn't Linus's ball anymore to take away when he doesn't like how people are playing the game.
Actually, it is.
But it is stupid and insulting to say that people who aren't satisfied with Linus's management should just suck it and pick another OS.
Stupid and insulting how, exactly? Free software gives us a lot of rights, but badgering a lead developer to change his work habits for our piece of mind isn't one of them.
Linus himself would tell you that Linux is more the community's than his.
Except the expectations aren't piling up on the community, they're piling up on him. And when he burns out, we'll all be right fucked, won't we?
Stupid and insulting indeed. Perhaps some people still need reminding that he's given over 10 years of his life to this project. Show a little respect.
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Bleah! Heh heh heh... BLEAH BLEAH!!! Ha ha ha ha...