August 12, 2021 4:51 AM, "Nicolas George" <geo...@nsup.org> wrote:
> Paul Buxton (12021-08-12): > >> From the point of view of someone who is currently developing a filter for >> ffmpeg and will be submitting a patch to the list for the first time, I >> think this is a great idea.Whilst following simple instructions to prepare >> and submit a patch should't be outside the ability of anyone who is capable >> of contributing. Using something like github allows a more automated >> workflow that can make the process smoother and even make lives easier for >> the maintainers as it is possible for the automations to catch issues >> before they get sent on to you. > > Have you wondered why these periodical threads "we/you should make > FFmpeg more attractive" usually end up a discussion between disgruntled > newbies congratulating each other for their great ideas, with only the > occasional bored experienced developer stepping in? > You have no idea their experience level, or any possible past/present/future contributions to the project. Judge the ideas, not the person. > TL;DR: Do not make posting patches on the mailing-list easier, make a > two-tiered system where beginners learn to make high-quality patches > before submitting them for review to the experienced developers. > > You all seem to assume that attracting more developers is always a good > thing. > > It is if it attracts promising developers, i.e. if it widens the > horizon. > > That requires probably making sure the project is seen as alive and > progressing, with governance and direction, withe people capable of > making decisions on the direction of the progress, to accept or clearly > reject original ideas coming from nobodies. Right now, the project is > adrift, changes are being "accepted" more based on who happens to have > commit rights and neglects to seek approval from peers. > you have a point here. But nothing to do with what softworkz is sugessting. > But more developers is not a good thing if it is done by lowering the > bar, because the more developers will be mediocre and as such a drain on > the time of core developers. > I don't think you should generalize an entire group of developers because they like something you don't. > Patches from newbies will require review. The more clueless the newbies, > the more time required turn the patch into something acceptable. And of > course, patches will be discusses by core developers on the mailing > list, so people who do not bother to optimize their mails for reading > (see https://ffmpeg.org/pipermail/ffmpeg-devel/2021-August/283402.html ) > are especially obnoxious. > Everyone starts as "newbies". Even you started off as one. Imagine if Bellard or Michael had this attitude in the beginning of ffmpeg. > I will gladly concede that the entry bar of subscribing to a > mailing-list is hardly adequate to achieve the objective of winnowing > mediocre candidates. But if your proposal is to just discard the bar, > you are entirely missing the point. > > I wonder if a scheme where clueless developers are rejected in a polite > but concise and semi-final standardized way: > > # Thanks for your proposal. Your input will not be considered because it > # contains obvious and easily avoided flaws: > # [x] not following mailing-list rules; > # [x] not following coding style conventions; > # [ ] mangled or misformatted patch; > # [ ] problems of code hygiene; > # [x] bad commit message. > # For details, see <http://ffmpeg.org/doc/newbies>. If you can fix > # these flaws by yourself, you may become a valued contributor to this > # project. If you cannot, then please go grok some PHP or something. > Could be useful. > Then feel free to set-up a Discourse or Discord or whatever kids use > these days to help each other pass the bar. As long as what we get on > the mailing-list are patches that are already in good shape for review, > it is all good. > So you agree with softworkz? > Regards, > > -- > Nicolas George > > _______________________________________________ > ffmpeg-devel mailing list > ffmpeg-devel@ffmpeg.org > https://ffmpeg.org/mailman/listinfo/ffmpeg-devel > > To unsubscribe, visit link above, or email > ffmpeg-devel-requ...@ffmpeg.org with subject "unsubscribe". _______________________________________________ ffmpeg-devel mailing list ffmpeg-devel@ffmpeg.org https://ffmpeg.org/mailman/listinfo/ffmpeg-devel To unsubscribe, visit link above, or email ffmpeg-devel-requ...@ffmpeg.org with subject "unsubscribe".
