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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?

Original Submission #1  Original Submission #2  Original Submission #3

 
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  • (Score: 5, Interesting) by The Mighty Buzzard on Monday September 17 2018, @03:32PM (4 children)

    by The Mighty Buzzard (18) Subscriber Badge <themightybuzzard@proton.me> on Monday September 17 2018, @03:32PM (#736007) Homepage Journal

    Or looked at from another perspective, good developers are the ones who don't cause strife in the workplace. How much trouble you cause your employer vs. your value to your employer is a very important ratio. Standard variety assholes or professionally offended assholes, only the amount of strife you cause in the workplace matters for that calculation.

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  • (Score: 2) by RS3 on Monday September 17 2018, @04:23PM (2 children)

    by RS3 (6367) on Monday September 17 2018, @04:23PM (#736030)

    Agreed, however my experience has been that management has kept the a-holes in place. I surmise it's because the a-holes gave management something to do, quarrels to deal with, someone to lord over, and maybe they break up the boredom(?). If everyone got along and did their jobs, management would have to find something useful to do, and that could be even worse. [shudders]

    • (Score: 3, Funny) by urza9814 on Monday September 17 2018, @06:22PM (1 child)

      by urza9814 (3954) on Monday September 17 2018, @06:22PM (#736104) Journal

      Agreed, however my experience has been that management has kept the a-holes in place.

      Of course management keeps themselves in place... ;)

      • (Score: 3, Funny) by RS3 on Monday September 17 2018, @08:34PM

        by RS3 (6367) on Monday September 17 2018, @08:34PM (#736165)

        And so, recursive programming was born.

  • (Score: 3, Insightful) by Gaaark on Monday September 17 2018, @09:01PM

    by Gaaark (41) on Monday September 17 2018, @09:01PM (#736182) Journal

    That's why I go in, do my job to the best I can, and I go home COMPLETELY avoiding as much of the DRAMA DRAMA DRAMA there is.

    It's kind of like here: when stupid shit is going on, I just usually do a mental walk by, whistling as I go: show up, try to comment intelligently or insightfully or humourously, and I go home.

    Sometimes getting sucked into all the drama can suck.

    ...
    ...
    ...
    Sometimes it's fun, though. :)

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