Re: [PATCH v2] README: Don't organize the README by arbitrary "roles"
From: Jonathan Corbet
Date: Fri May 15 2026 - 10:05:59 EST
Runxi Yu <me@xxxxxxxxxxx> writes:
> From: Runxi Yu <runxiyu@xxxxxxxxx>
>
> * Removes the basic introduction to what Linux is. It's reasonable
> assumed knowledge for someone with this repository.
> * Consolidate the IRC, bugzilla, building, and mailing lists from across
> the front and back, to the front only.
> * Remove the "Who Are You?" section that consists solely of role names
> and an one line gloss each.
> * Remove the concept of different contributor "roles" (since there
> really aren't such distinct roles); instead phrase them based on the
> class of action. The "New Kernel Developer" archetype was mostly
> alright, but "Academic Researcher" was essentially a list of
> subsystems that applies for almost any kernel developer. "Security
> Expert" sounded a bit like corporate marketing language, and really,
> developers/admin that don't focus on security could still learn a lot
> from these sections. Backport/maintenance/ sysadmin/maintainer mostly
> stays as is with slight changes in firm; "Hardware Vendor" becomes
> "Driver Development" because as much as we'd like vendors to
> assist/guide/lead driver development, many independent driver
> developers still exist.
I agree with Kees on this. This file, like the rest of the kernel, is
not perfect, but it does convey the message we were going for the last
time it was thrashed. I appreciate efforts to improve the
documentation, but perhaps start a bit smaller as you learn how things
are done?
Thanks,
jon