Re: PATCH 2.3.23 pre 2 compile fixes

Richard Dynes (rdynes@varcom.com)
Thu, 21 Oct 1999 15:01:27 -0400


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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