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Linus Torvalds Taking a Break From Linux Kernel Maintainership

posted by chromas on Monday September 17 2018, @12:21PM   Printer-friendly
from the intervention!-intervention! dept.

takyon writes:

Linux 4.19-rc4 Released As Linus Temporarily Steps Away From Kernel Maintainership

Linux 4.19-rc4 is out today as the very latest weekly development test kernel for Linux 4.19. It's another fairly routine kernel update at this stage, but more shocking is that Linus Torvalds will be taking a temporary leave from kernel maintainership and Greg Kroah-Hartman will take over the rest of the Linux 4.19 cycle.

Following the recent decision to change the location of the Linux Kernel Summit after Torvalds accidentally booked his flights to the wrong dates/location, plus other discussions happening recently, Linus Torvalds is taking a temporary leave. "I am going to take time off and get some assistance on how to understand people's emotions and respond appropriately," he wrote as part of today's 4.19-rc4 announcement.

So it begins.

Also at ZDNet.

jasassin writes:

The Linux kernel has adopted a new code of conduct. The link to the code of conduct is here.

It seems Linus Torvalds is also taking a break from being the top kernel maintainer.

The short story is Linus screwing up his scheduling to the Linux maintainers conference which was entirely rescheduled around his mistake. Then he was approached by people who are concerned about his blunt (or some consider rude) comments on the kernel dev mailing list.

I, personally, will miss Linus and I hope he gets things figured out.

Phoenix666 writes:

The Register:

Linux kernel firebrand Linus Torvalds has apologized for his explosive rants, and vowed to take a break from the open-source project and seek help.

In a mailing list message on Sunday, Torvalds admitted his "flippant attacks in emails" to fellow Linux programmers and project contributors "have been both unprofessional and uncalled for. Especially at times when I made it personal ... I know now this was not OK and I am truly sorry."

"I need to change some of my behavior," he added, "and I want to apologize to the people that my personal behavior hurt and possibly drove away from kernel development entirely."

Torvalds, who created the Linux operating system kernel in 1991 and has overseen its development ever since, also promised to take a breather from the project – like the sabbatical he took to create Git – and do some self-reflection to, well, be nicer to everyone.

Elon Musk was in the news recently for blowups, as well. Should technology professionals make stress management and interpersonal skills part of their professional regimen, for their own long-term personal and professional health?

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  • (Score: 4, Interesting) by takyon on Monday September 17 2018, @12:56PM (5 children)

    by takyon (881) <takyonNO@SPAMsoylentnews.org> on Monday September 17 2018, @12:56PM (#735947) Journal

    The concerns might go deeper than just Linus being mean to people on mailing lists. There was this:

    make all relocate... Linux kernel dev summit shifts to Scotland – to fit Torvald's holiday plans [theregister.co.uk]

    Dude's 48, with the bulk of the tech world on his shoulders. He could use a break, and might be being diplomatic (lying/exaggerating) about his reason for taking a break. "[Getting] some assistance on how to understand people's emotions and respond appropriately" could just mean chatting with friends or his wife.

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  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday September 19 2018, @01:37AM (2 children)

    by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday September 19 2018, @01:37AM (#736877)

    Torvalds screwed up, but asked if they could do the summit without him.

    But nope, they relocate the summit instead and still you try to pin it on Torvalds being an asshole?!

  • (Score: 2) by Reziac on Thursday September 20 2018, @02:25PM (1 child)

    by Reziac (2489) on Thursday September 20 2018, @02:25PM (#737502) Homepage

    And don't forget this:

    http://esr.ibiblio.org/?p=6907 [ibiblio.org]

    --
    And there is no Alkibiades to come back and save us from ourselves.