For the last six months I have been sending various patches
ranging from simple /proc/meminfo patching to a complete
t160 scsi host adapter driver to `torvalds@cs.helsinki.fi'.
So far the only response I have gotten is that I once got
an auto-responder reply. Nothing has gotten into the
kernel as far as I can tell.
Couple of comments. First of all, keep in mind that Linus has been
really busy, and out of the country for the last couple of weeks.
Secondly, for better or for worse, I've seen kernel patches which have
required a lot of massaging and cleanup before they can get folded into
the mainline kernel release. Kernel programming is more tricky that
user-mode programming, and Linus has his own standards which may very
well be more difficult to meet than what is required to get patches into
emacs. It's unfortunate that he's never given you a reply, but that
occasionally happens when he gets too busy.
Suggestion: post the patches on linux-kernel, or find a core linux
developer (the CREDITS list in the kernel sources is a good place to
start) to ask them to help you shepherd the patch through to Linus.
Sometimes a good word from someone known and trusted by Linus is enough;
other times that person may need to work with you to get the patch up to
snuff.
I've done this a couple of times for those parts of the kernel that I
have the most experience in, and eventually the patches do get
integrated into the kernel.
I'm sorry you've had a frustrating time with this; hopefully we can find
some way so that your talents can be used to further the Linux kernel
development effort.
- Ted