Messages in this thread | | | Date | Thu, 21 Oct 1999 15:01:27 -0400 | From | Richard Dynes <> | Subject | Re: PATCH 2.3.23 pre 2 compile fixes |
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Donald Becker wrote: > > > Keep in mind that the issue isn't just about tulip.c, or even the dozen > other PCI network drivers I updated to remove the backwards compatibility at > the request of Linus. It's about the process. I've been developing drivers > this way, with supporting web pages, mailing lists and levels of test > releases, for many years.
No one doubts your abilities, Donald. Most of us (myself included) think you're great, and want to help. So I agree, it's process.
> I see people claiming that the process isn't > transparent when they aren't on the mailing lists and obviously haven't > looked at how much work and discussion have passed. >
Well, I said that it isn't as transparent as I would like, so I'll respond with some specifics.
When I go to any of the kernel sites, I'm presented with a list of all of the kernel versions, going back to the dark ages. When I go to other sites, I see the same. If I'm interested in some ac patch from long ago, I can find it. I see this as good.
I can get patch files from one version to another.
When I go to your ftp://cesdis.gsfc.nasa.gov/pub/linux/drivers, except for ftp://cesdis.gsfc.nasa.gov/pub/linux/drivers/tulip-drivers/ where there's a transparent list of drivers from 1996 to the start of 1998 , I see a single versions of tulip.c:
v0.91 in linux/drivers v0.91g in linux/drivers/test v0.91u in linux/drivers/kern2.3
I, a user and a developer, have no visibility between 0.91, 0.91g and 0.91u other than the diffs I can do between them. How can I or others possibly help you? You make have a pool of people you test things with, and they may have access to your CVS repository.
I'm on the tulip-driver list, but not the tulip-bug list, primarily because I wasn't having problems with the driver, and I assumed that tulip-driver (as the linux-kernel list does) would carry information on new versions and other developments. My mistake, sort of. Is there are tulip-announce list I should also join?
Look, I'm a fan of yours. My first post on this thread strongly supported you. I would like to help without turning into a maintainer. I have offered help to you directly, but I, a mere developer, can't participate in your process as it stands right now. And that, I think, is the point others are making.
-Richard
-- Richard Dynes rdynes@varcom.com
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