Linus Explains his Patch Policy

An anonymous reader writes "For everyone who has been wondering the method behind Linus's seeming madness of accepting or dropping patches, he has finally given a thorough explanation. A must read for anyone who wants to get their favorite feature into the next release of the kernel."

Comments

You Linux guys are cool

[Anonymous Coward]

I'm running Windows and I still haven't found how to tell Microsoft where I want to go today.

Re:You Linux guys are cool

[Anonymous Coward]

I've told them where I wanted to go several times but they just charged me $99 for the phone call. Then I told them where to go but since they had my credit card on file it cost another $99.

Tree

[MutantEnemy]

"The only thing you are ENTITLED to is to have your own tree."

Cool! Thanks Linus. Can you get it here in time for Christmas? ;-)

Re:Tree

[Anonymous Coward]

You wouldn't want one.

Linus doesn't choose the trees himself, he has his manic-depressive friend Charlie do it for him and he always picks the worst tree on the lot every year.

Actual Quote...

[Metallic Matty]

"Well, first I write down my options, and then I drop a pen from about 5 feet up and..."

Don't get in a fight with Linus.

[Hektor_Troy]

Especially when he's drunk. We all know, that Finns carry around huge knives to cut off the balls of polar bears, when they (the Finns that is) go on a binge.

Being a whiney user just might move you from the "human" to the "polar bear" category.

Great Pumpkin

[Frank of Earth]

That
tree is called "Linus' tree" for a reason. The only thing you are
ENTITLED to is to have your own tree.

Linus

Now if you'll excuse me, I'll go back to waiting for the great pumpkin to arrive.

Comparison of Linux and BSD development process

[Anonymous Coward]

Linux: Patches accepted based on what Linus thinks is good
BSD: Patches accepted based on what will run on the MrCoffee port

Linux: Patches to support new hardware added quickly
BSD: That better be an ISA network card...

Linux: VM changes cause instability in "stable" kernel branch
BSD: VM is old and slow, but you can use punchcards as swap. Isn't that neat?

Linux: It's for people who like to tinker
BSD: It's for people who think Debian-stable is too bleeding edge

Re:Great!

[Charlton Heston]

Here is my current tree:

int main () {
printf ("Hello, World\n"); /* ??????? */ /* PROFIT! */
return 0;
}

Please send me patches, thanks.

I think having one good tree is nice.

[krog]

But then, I use NetBSD.

Interesting.

[rice_burners_suck]

I made a patch that makes Linux crash immediately upon startup, and I DEMAND that Linus include it in his tree. I will accept no answer except 'yes' and I will whine about it non-stop until it happens to my satisfaction. And, yes, I strongly believe that my whining and complaining, four hours before feature freeze, will cause Linus to include my patch just to shut me up.

In other words, I totally comprehend his message and as such, I'll place his suggestions in effect immediately.

Re:Patches? We don' need no steenking Patches!

[dildatron]

if anything to do with OS kernels gives you warm fuzzies, your geekhood far surpasses mine...

Tree discussions always ome up near christmass...

[eyefish]

is it only me, or has anyone noticed over the years that "tree" discussions always come up near christmass time???

Chould we call this the Linus Christmass Tree phenomenom?

Re:It's my kernel...

[satanami69]

Thanks Thomas.

Re:Great!

[Permission Denied]

Please send me patches, thanks.

Portability fix, standards compliance:

0a1,2
> #include <stdio.h>
>

God I hate Plantlife

[Anonymous Coward]

So I send all of my childhood attempting to get into girls bushes and failing. Now I spend my entire adult life failing to get in another mans' tree.

Shouldn't this all balance out at some point?

Full Metal Kernel

[nhtshot]

"This is my tree. There are many like it, but this one is mine." - Linus

Re:Tree discussions always ome up near christmass.

[cant_get_a_good_nick]

Considering the week, I suspect more of a 'great pumpkin' phenomenon.

So Linus still believes in the Great Pumpkin? ARRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

Yes, I should be slapped for that. Good grief....

Re:how about this

[global_diffusion]

Quoting Linux from his post

Ah, I was wondering who they named 'Linux' after...