The good, the bad, and the ugly - Linux Kernel patches

Presented at 30C3 (2013), Dec. 28, 2013, 10 p.m. (30 minutes)

Companies are often blamed for not working upstream. Surprisingly, the situation is not per se better with community projects. To change the latter for the better, Wolfram will show some examples regarding the Linux Kernel and present ideas to create win-win-win situations.

In this talk, some examples will be given how Linux Kernel patches are handled in a few great-for-hacking projects. There is great creativity to be found and interesting lessons to be learned, especially when it comes to upstreaming.

The idea is to create or encourage situations where everyone wins. Ultimately, the kernel will be improved, the project doesn't need to carry a local patch, the submitter gains knowledge and experience, and the development effort won't be forgotten but shared amongst all. And there are already helpful inbetween states on the way.

Wolfram will share his experiences wearing the hats of a Kernel maintainer, a commercial developer, and a passionate hacker. And while Kernel focused, the ideas applied here are pretty generic.


Presenters:

  • wsa
    Wolfram Sang works on his own as a Linux kernel developer for embedded systems and also maintains the I2C subsystem. He still codes for the C64 demoscene. Wolfram Sang has been working as a Linux kernel developer for embedded systems since 2008, currently as an independent consultant, and also maintains the I2C subsystem. Programming since his childhood, he still hacks his machines from the 80s, especially the C64, for the demoscene. When not using computers, he is interested in ecological topics, likes cooking and tries to keep his Japanese alive.

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