Re: FreeBSD's problems as seen by the BSDForen.de community

Thus Erik Trulsson <ertr1013_at_student.uu.se> spake on Fri, 11 Jan 2008
16:00:57 +0100:

> On Fri, Jan 11, 2008 at 02:51:28PM +0100, Timo Schoeler wrote:
> > Thus Kris Kennaway <kris_at_FreeBSD.org> spake on Fri, 11 Jan 2008
> > 14:12:25 +0100:
> > 
> > > Timo Schoeler wrote:
> > > 
> > > >> It will even go into the CVS tree (though probably not
> > > >> into GENERIC) if the source is clean, style(9)-compliant
> > > >> and well maintained.
> > > > 
> > > > It should do with *one* exception: Every other, more important
> > > > problem (e.g. getting ZFS to v9) is *solved*. If this is the
> > > > case, import the USB christmas tree device driver and introduce
> > > > dev.xmastree.lamps.blink as sysctl, absolutely no problem.
> > > > 
> > > >> But even if it doesn't go into the
> > > >> tree, that's not a big deal.  For example, for several
> > > >> years I maintained some patches that improved syscons
> > > >> (kern/15436).  They didn't go into CVS, but they worked
> > > >> fine for me and a few others.
> > > > 
> > > > But I bet you would be fine with it in the tree as well as some
> > > > others, if not all others? If so, why didn't it get into the
> > > > tree? Maybe because some lower-priority USB christmas device
> > > > driver was imported instead?
> > > > 
> > > > This is the crucial point I wanted to show: *Priorities*.
> > > 
> > > You are making the incorrect assumption that one developer
> > > working on e.g. your /dev/uxmas in any way effects the
> > > development of other "more important" parts of the tree.
> > 
> > No, I didn't. I said that the work is done ineffectively as he's
> > doing underprioritized stuff. Working on higher prioritized stuff
> > would be more efficient, and would help the project even more.
> 
> But he is probably working on high priority stuff.  High priority
> according to *his* priorities that is, not your priorities.

I don't have priorities on what he's working on, but the
project/community has. And as he's part of this community -- he chose
being part of it -- he should do what is best for the community. Not
what is 2nd or 3rd best. Period.

> > Given the assumption that the developer is able to do both, the Xmas
> > tree as well as importing ZFS v9 into the tree.
> > 
> > (I don't see the point that when somebody is really *capable* of
> > doing both things, why should (s)he do the 'lower priority' thing.
> > If you are at the olympic stadium and you're the best sprinter, you
> > wouldn't join the marathon...!)
> 
> Because he thinks the 'lower priority' thing is more fun, and doesn't
> care at all about the stuff that you happen to think should be high
> priority.

There's no *me* or *I*, there's a project/community. Should I spell
it? :)

> > > In almost all cases it does
> > > not.  If they were not working on that "lower priority" code, they
> > > would not be working on your "more important" code anyway, unless
> > > they already wanted to do that.
> > 
> > That's just a lack of responsibility, morals, and enthusiasm. So,
> > why code at all?
> > 
> > > Kris
> > 
> > Timo