From: rchen@fraser.sfu.ca (Robert Chen) Subject: Re: ANNOUNCE: Linux 0.98 pl5 Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1992 23:10:51 GMT
In article <jpo.721994610@hrz.tu-chemnitz.de> jpo@informatik.tu-chemnitz.de (Joerg Pommnitz) writes:
>Hello (Linux-)world !
>
>These wishlist is especially for Linus, but it might be interesting for some
>others, too.
>
>[ed: wants some kernel patches floating around put in the standard kernel]
>
>Most of the patches don't break the standard kernel, because they are
>selectable via defines (for instance -DSELECTION).
>
>So this is a suggestion to the contributors: make your patches selectable,
>it might become easier for Linus to include them to the standard sources, if
>he can switch them off.
>
>I hope this will start a useful discussion, so please no flames.
>
> Joerg
The contributors keep their patches to themselves for a reason
(whatever reason doesn't matter since it is their own). Usually
it is because they don't think their code is stable enough for the general
public to have to deal with, but there are other reasons.
I have never heard of Linus flatly refusing to include anyone's
patches into the kernel that are clean and add something standard
and/or useful to everyone. The only exception might be for some device
drivers that would be better to add after the linux loadable device
driver stuff is finished.
I think that this discussion is moot because:
1) Linus has shown extremely good taste in what he adds to his kernel.
(IMHO)
2) Contributors allways send patches to Linus when they are good and ready.
3) Loadable device drivers will allow people to add odd-ball wierd
hardware device drivers to the kernel with or without Linus'
blessing.
Just my 0.02.
- Ken