Torvalds: No picnic to become major Linux coder

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Why you're incorrect.

"by necessity, since resources are scarce, it's a clique."

This is a non-sequitur.

The fact that there are a limited number of people available to perform a task does not make those people suddenly become a clique. Cliques derive from shared social values, not code quality.

The notion that one could possibly give exactly the same consideration to every contribution, regardless of who it came from, is ludicrous. There will be some geniuses, a ton of mediocrity, and a sizable portion of utter crap contributed.

"If one is talented enough, one may produce "essential" code without any direct experience "in the community"."

Unlikely. Possible? Sure. But don't hold your breath.

"Someone can be a world-class developer taking a first-time foray into FOSS and develop something brilliant (the Orson Welles of kernel development)."

Someone could be a world-class athlete in one sport, then switch to another and do something amazing there too. It MIGHT happen. But, in real world experience, we know that this DOES NOT happen.

Devoting talented resources to filtering the slush pile is a stupid waste.

"Torvolds tells that person, "Get in line. Pound out some grunt work for a few years, and then maybe, when we recognize your name, we'll tell you that you're ready, and just maybe we'll consider what you have to say."

Wrong. He said nothing remotely like this. Instead what he said is exactly what ANYONE starting in a new field of endeavor will be told. Don't whine because someone else doesn't think your code is as awesome as you do. Don't waste everyone's time with work that is not informed by interaction with others in the field.

Take some time to learn how to interact with the community before you start contributing to that community.

The "lone outsider changing the world" fantasy is nice for Hollywood, but 99% of "lone outsiders" are in fact, kooks, who not only do not contribute value, but actually detract from quality by inserting noise.

Posted by: bmerc   Posted on: 08/18/08 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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