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Date:      Thu, 6 Feb 2003 01:26:22 -0800 (PST)
From:      Doug Barton <DougB@FreeBSD.org>
To:        chat@FreeBSD.org
Subject:   Re: dillon@'s commit bit: I object
Message-ID:  <20030206005639.V40993@12-234-22-23.pyvrag.nggov.pbz>
In-Reply-To: <3E41CFED.45413F33@kuzbass.ru>
References:  <20030205171407.A15358@freebie.xs4all.nl>  <Pine.BSF.4.21.0302051056020.97117-100000@InterJet.elischer.org>  <20030205190345.GD42936@roark.gnf.org> <20030205140726.407e150a.trhodes@FreeBSD.org> <3E41CFED.45413F33@kuzbass.ru>

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[Please respect reply-to chat@freebsd.org, thanks]

I'd like to make a point that I think is being overlooked here regarding
exactly what a "commit bit" means. It simply means that the person has
(essentially) unfettered access to commit code directly to the tree. For
all intents and purposes, it's a matter of convenience. Personally, I was
a contributor to the project for many years before people got tired of
committing stuff for me, and they told me to do my own darn work. :)

Unfortunately, for a number of complex reasons, some of which have been
described publicly, and some of which are not appropriate to describe
publicly, the core team decided that it's no longer appropriate for Matt
to have this access to the cvs tree. This does _not_ mean that Matt's past
contributions are not appreciated; or that future contributions, should he
choose to make them, won't be welcomed. Matt's status in the project is
exactly the same right now as the thousands of other contributors to the
project who are not committers. Personally, I hope that Matt does choose
to contribute to the project again in the future, but I respect his
decision either way.

Finally, I'd like to encourage everyone who thinks they have a
contribution to make to give it their best shot. :) Don't make "getting a
commit bit" your goal. If it turns out that having commit privileges is a
good role for you, it will be thrust upon... I mean, offered to you. If
not, don't be offended, or think we don't like you. Some of our most
valued contributors don't have (usually because they don't want) one
either.

On the other hand, one sure way to irritate people is to focus on what you
think the project "owes" you. You are owed exactly what we promised...
namely all the pieces of the project; code, docs, ports, ideas, and
technology (sorry, no fairings), all free for you to take and do with
whatever you please. We definitely _try_ to make a system that is high
quality, reliable, and responsive to the needs of our users (as we
understand them). But at the end of the day, you get exactly what you paid
for. And welcome to it. :)


Hope this helps,

Doug

- -- 

    If it's moving, encrypt it. If it's not moving, encrypt
      it till it moves, then encrypt it some more.
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