Re: [gentoo-project] Re: A plan for Gentoo

[Daniel Robbins]

Ulrich,

I am not implying that there is constant bickering on the project.

My observations are based on the retirement of vapier, and private
conversations I have had with very senior people on the project (will not
disclose who.)

And yes, there is some conflict in regards to the future direction of
Portage, but this conflict is not really out in the open.

-Daniel


On Sat, Dec 9, 2017 at 2:56 AM, Ulrich Mueller <ulm@g.o> wrote:

> >>>>> On Fri, 8 Dec 2017, Daniel Robbins wrote:
>
> > Looking at my past, I think you may find it a familiar trajectory
> > that resonates with a lot of senior Gentoo contributors: unbridled
> > youthful enthusiasm, which then turns into incredible productivity
> > and growth, then additional burdens, responsibilities and demands,
> > resulting in eventual burn-out and cynicism. I was the first
> > astronaut to be launched into orbit, so to speak, so I got to
> > experience this fantastic voyage first -- but I am sure you know
> > others who have followed in my foot-steps in this area. So I think
> > the point you raise is actually important, but it should not be
> > presented as a personal attack on me, but as a general weakness in
> > Gentoo related to mentorship, growth and direction for senior-level
> > Gentoo contributors and providing them with positive (good for the
> > project, good for them) outlets for their immense talent, while
> > preventing their incredible influence gained within the project from
> > turning into a negative and causing internal strife.
>
> This seems to be a rather crude theory. For example, you say that it
> "resonates with a lot of senior Gentoo contributors", so do you have
> any hard numbers supporting that claim?
>
> Not sure if I qualify as what you call a "senior contributor", but
> I don't feel like being burned out (how would that even be possible,
> for something that I do for the fun of it, and from which I can take
> a break whenever I want). Also someone please tell me if my
> contributions have turned into a negative; if so, I shall retire
> tomorrow.
>
> > [...] I think that the solution to this is to have a vision of
> > forward evolution and growth of the project --
>
> What does this mean? I can have a vision that we shall have 500 active
> developers by next year, but that wouldn't actually solve any problem
> of recruitment.
>
> > we need new, bigger challenges and our most senior people need to
> > 'graduate' into playing a leading role in shaping the future of
> > technology. We all need to support one another instead of fighting
> > amongst each other.
>
> Again, I don't understand how you come to that conclusion. Can you
> provide us with recent examples of developers fighting against each
> other? The majority of developers (both "senior" and "junior", though
> I dislike the categorising) quietly do their work, and my impression
> is that our technical discussions are factual. Of course this doesn't
> preclude that there are different opinions.
>
> For a more concrete question, IIUC you have recently followed Portage
> development. Did you perceive any fighting in that project?
>
> Ulrich
>