[No patch included - sorry]
Linux is what it is in very large part because it has a highly
discriminating and intelligent filter (Linus) who also has the
whole picture in his head. The size and sanity of the kernel
are jealously guarded.
Any disruption of this modality would put Linux in severe danger
of becoming NT-ish - fixes/features going in without clear under-
standing or motiviation. Bloat and decay lie that way.
With more companies becoming dependant on Linux's ongoing success,
it would behoove "Someone(TM)" (Intel? Netscape? Some enlightened
consortium?) to sponsor/hire 1 or 2 highly capable "mechanics" to
do Linus's grunt work, and let him concentrate on what Linux most
needs to retain - a careful, capable steward who is unwilling to
let simple expedience ruin everything. These mechanics should be
tools and collaboration gurus, not kernel gods.
What are the chances of that happening? The current distributed
volunteer method looks like it is becoming strained at the upper
levels, and it behooves those who feed at the Linux trough to
do something that demonstrates foresight and commitment. We'll
see.
...jfree
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