From owner-freebsd-hackers@FreeBSD.ORG Thu Mar 24 06:53:44 2005 Return-Path: Delivered-To: freebsd-hackers@freebsd.org Received: from mx1.FreeBSD.org (mx1.freebsd.org [216.136.204.125]) by hub.freebsd.org (Postfix) with ESMTP id 0E2C716A4CE for ; Thu, 24 Mar 2005 06:53:44 +0000 (GMT) Received: from hotmail.com (bay10-f26.bay10.hotmail.com [64.4.37.26]) by mx1.FreeBSD.org (Postfix) with ESMTP id D4ECB43D2D for ; Thu, 24 Mar 2005 06:53:43 +0000 (GMT) (envelope-from klowd92@hotmail.com) Received: from mail pickup service by hotmail.com with Microsoft SMTPSVC; Wed, 23 Mar 2005 22:53:43 -0800 Message-ID: Received: from 24.116.118.246 by by10fd.bay10.hotmail.msn.com with HTTP; Thu, 24 Mar 2005 06:53:43 GMT X-Originating-IP: [24.116.118.246] X-Originating-Email: [klowd92@hotmail.com] X-Sender: klowd92@hotmail.com In-Reply-To: From: "klowd9 -" To: gjb@gbch.net Date: Thu, 24 Mar 2005 06:53:43 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed X-OriginalArrivalTime: 24 Mar 2005 06:53:43.0786 (UTC) FILETIME=[382324A0:01C5303E] cc: freebsd-hackers@FreeBSD.org Subject: Re: Kernel documentation and specification X-BeenThere: freebsd-hackers@freebsd.org X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.1 Precedence: list List-Id: Technical Discussions relating to FreeBSD List-Unsubscribe: , List-Archive: List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , X-List-Received-Date: Thu, 24 Mar 2005 06:53:44 -0000 >From: Greg Black >To: klowd9 - >CC: freebsd-hackers@FreeBSD.org >Subject: Re: Kernel documentation and specification >Date: Thu, 24 Mar 2005 13:14:54 +1000 > >On 2005-03-24, klowd9 - wrote: > > >> Reading the CVS logs for the relevant files should give you ideas > >> about who might be able to answer your questions. However, you > >> shouldn't expect that people have time to answer lots of questions. > >> Of course, it helps if your interest is in the context of contributing > >> something back to the project. > >> > >> Kirk's book, ``The Design and Implementation of the FreeBSD > >> Operating System'' probably contains the answers to basic > >> questions about scheduling and IPC. > > > > I considered purchasing that book, which is very very good imo, but a >bit > > overpriced at $60.. > >If you're not prepared to invest that small amount in your >learning, then you're not serious about it. > > > Any other resources about kernel development, and to whom may i speak >with > > to help me get started.. > >You don't need to speak -- as has already been pointed out, you >need to read. Read the source code and the CVS logs; read the >book; experiment a bit. Then, when you have a handle on things, >maybe you might have some real questions to ask. > >Greg First of all i am dead serious about learning. Secondly, where i come from, $60 is alot of money. And in the spirit of open source and free software, charging $60 for a book is ridiculous. I want to code free software and contribute to the open source community, must i be prepared to pay inorder to contribute? Why isnt a free copy of this book available online? The author obviously put alot of time and effort into making this excellent book, but so do thousands of other people writing code and papers every day, published freely on the internet, and they ask for nothing in return, besides perhaps, some gratitude Furthermore, you cannot speak with a book, and ask it questions, why some things happen a certain way. A good book will do its best to clerify everything, but it doesnt even come close to what an experienced person can help you understand in half that time. Your email contained absolutely no useful information or help, besides a bit condescending on your behalf. Thanks for wasting my time. And lastly, if i did have some 'real questions', im afraid you wouldnt be able to answer them.