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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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One Of The Rust Linux Kernel Maintainers Steps Down - Cites "Nontechnical Nonsense" (www.phoronix.com)

submitted 2 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Wedson Almeida Filho is a Microsoft engineer who has been prolific in his contributions to the Rust for the Linux kernel code over the past several years. Wedson has worked on many Rust Linux kernel features and even did a experimental EXT2 file-system driver port to Rust. But he's had enough and is now stepping away from the Rust for Linux efforts.

From Wedon's post on the kernel mailing list:

I am retiring from the project. After almost 4 years, I find myself lacking the energy and enthusiasm I once had to respond to some of the nontechnical nonsense, so it's best to leave it up to those who still have it in them.

...

I truly believe the future of kernels is with memory-safe languages. I am no visionary but if Linux doesn't internalize this, I'm afraid some other kernel will do to it what it did to Unix.

Lastly, I'll leave a small, 3min 30s, sample for context here: https://youtu.be/WiPp9YEBV0Q?t=1529 -- and to reiterate, no one is trying force anyone else to learn Rust nor prevent refactorings of C code."

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[–] [email protected] -2 points 2 months ago (3 children)

You can't teach old dogs new tricks.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 months ago

My grandpa taught himself to text when he was 89. He just wrote a translation table:
A = 2
B = 22
C = 222
D = 3
...

[–] [email protected] -3 points 2 months ago (1 children)

You can, but you can't turn a 30 year project on a dime. They're understandably frustrated that newcomers keep coming and screaming RUST RUST RUST RUST RUST

[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 months ago

yeah but this isn't newcomers making noise. This is seasoned devs making meaningful contributions, and getting reactionary responses

[–] [email protected] 44 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (2 children)

You actually can. And it's not that hard. I had a 14 year old German shepherd mix, who learned several new tricks before her death. I taught a partially blind 79 year old to use a computer, general internet, and email, and was communicating with her for a number of years before she lost the rest of her vision.

Old dogs, as it were, absolutely can learn new tricks.

Sorry, I just don't like this idiom, because it puts people in a box in which they do not belong.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

Many years ago at work, when PCs started to spread, I taught a 60 years old lady how to use one. She never saw a PC before yet she learned pretty well, and I saw much younger people not learning.

Being willing to learn doesn't depend on age, it's a mindset, either you have it or you don't, and if you do have it, it will last your entire life.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 months ago

That's very wholesome to hear! :) Thank you for sharing. I'm glad it's not the case.