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Linux Kernel Bugzilla Launched
paskie writes "Martin J. Bligh of IBM announced
launch of a Bugzilla bug tracking
database for 2.5 linux kernel series - it's at bugme.osdl.org. Finally there will be
some possibility to easily keep track of known bugs without being subscribed to
thousand of mailing lists or googling to death. According to the relevant lkml
thread, kernel developers will still prefer discussions to happen on the
mailing lists, though. The Bugzilla server
and connection is donated by OSDL and IBM
folks administer the database."
Time and materials are being donated. What possible problem could you have with that?
Does it honestly matter how the bugs are being tracked, just as long as they are tracked?
None of the links on the /. page or OSDL seem to indicate that the database is IBM's software, just that they're providing the bug database admin labor. Where did you read that IBM's proprietary DB software is being used?
Even if your statement is true, perhaps part of IBM's return on investment is a real-world application study with this bug-tracker as a test case?
After all, these are the days of corporate accounting fiascos. In the current clime, transparency is a thing to be admired, and this is about as transparent as you can get.
Feature it, it's the timely thing to do, as well as the right thing to do.
For that matter, Microsoft doesn't have much room to cast stones, and if transparency becomes an issue, one can always bring up their stock dilution through options, non-payment of dividends that stockholders are requesting while sitting on $40e9 of cash, and sometimes-questionable donations to charity that look like they generate more revenue than the donation.
The living have better things to do than to continue hating the dead.
This seems to me that IBM wants to get closer to the kernel bug-tracking which is very important for them to adopt and support Linux on their products, especially on the high-end side. They've got to know the kernel inside out in order to introduce Linux and provide top quality service to prestigious customers.
Yeah, but hink about it this way...
Bug open: 11:54 EST 15/11/2002
Status: Serious
Bug Closed: 17:16 EST 15/11/2002
By: Linus T
How's Microsoft gonna FUD that?!
This is too funny. IBM doing something good for the community and for themselves at the same time? Nothing wrong with at. Altruism and capitlism can go hand and hand. And I am not one to look a gift server in the mouth.
First we have people talking about IBM doing this to control kernel developlemt. This is nuts. IBM understands that Linux is big in the cards for them and they also understand the Free As in Beer Developmental community needs to really have a central repository for this sorta thing.
So IBM cuts loose the space and the DB for it. Throws in an admin or two. Why? Cause they got big money on Linux, they want to move the big corps over to it. So they need the assurance that bugfixes, patches, what have you, is on a reliable server somewhere that will always be around.
Yeah it does benefit them and benefit us. More power to em. OR what we are gonna round robin the server costs every month? We are gonna set up a Paypal Account and each chip in our own unlimited funds in this street paved of gold IT industry we have now?
IBM is a business and it sees that helping the community can help itself. QUID PRO QUO my friends.
IBM was a monopoly, but they also make damn good equipment. Always have. You can go on about a failed run of hard drives, or some bad workstations. But hey happends to all of them...
And this busines that IBM needs to know the kernel inside and out. Ahhh, I do not think anyone needs to be talking out there ass about us teaching IBM anything about operating systems. Much less one ending in *NIX.
IBM is one of the best things to happen to our community. They are making the inroads in the corporate road for us.
JEEZ. Get off the high horse people.
TheFlatline
The Revolution Will Not Be Televised