Date: Mon, 15 Nov 2010 13:53:12 -0500 From: Michael Powell <nightrecon@hotmail.com> To: freebsd-questions@freebsd.org Subject: Re: About FreeBSD kernel newbies Message-ID: <ibrvfj$rln$1@dough.gmane.org> References: <AANLkTi=J3evie_LGyPyFK60gXaQNSEr1Em4M55W5FJ2D@mail.gmail.com>
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Fernando Apesteguía wrote: > Hi all, > > I was wondering if anyone has considered the creation of a kernel > newbies mail list for FreeBSD. > I am aware of two places where someone can ask questions about that: > either freebsd-hackers@ or the "FreeBSD Development" forum > at http://forums.freebsd.org. > > I've been following the Linux kernel newbies list for a while and I > think it is very informative. > > Would it be good to have such a list? > Can't say for sure myself, but certain points do spring to mind - mainly based upon the fact than 'BSD's are not Linux. The main difference that would apply is the separation in the Linux world between kernel development and userland. Some work on the kernel while others package distros, adding a userland to what kernel developers produce. FreeBSD is not Linux in that it is a complete operating system, kernel and userland are developed together and distributed as a complete unit. Since there is no separation between kernel and userland development maybe an alternate proposal might be for people coming to FreeBSD from the Linux world to endeavor to learn and adjust to what has worked for the community well for many years now. In other words, leave the Linuxisms in Linux land and learn the FreeBSD-isms. The FreeBSD community does try and function as a meritocracy for a lofty goal. It may not be perfect, but it also does try and be open and look at new ideas when they come around. Things not immediately dismissed out of hand will be debated from the bottom up, and if by the time it percolates upwards to the top it has survived many a thrashing it may just be committed. So, no harm in proposing new ideas. Just keep in mind that many times such proposals have a limited lifetime and have actually been proposed before. The community may have bandied the idea about and decided not to pursue it. Then it is quickly forgotten until the next cycle comes around with some newcomer proposing the same thing again. It happens. Witness the "Why Do You Have a Devil for a Mascot" meme that continues to resurface periodically year after year. We got tired of that many years ago, but it just will not go away... :-) So if the larger community and it's reasoned approach decides a proposal has merit for whatever number of supporting arguments, and idea might just take flight. Whatever I, as one individual, may think about any one idea/proposal it is the larger community in general that will decide. -Mike
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