[Python-Dev] Encouraging developers

[Phil Thompson]

On Tuesday 06 March 2007 5:42 am, Martin v. Löwis wrote:
> Phil Thompson schrieb:
> > 1. Don't suggest to people that, in order to get their patch reviewed,
> > they should review other patches. The level of knowledge required to put
> > together a patch is much less than that required to know if a patch is
> > the right one.
>
> People don't *have* to review patches. They just can do that if they
> want expedite review of their code.
>
> > 2. Publically identify the core developers and their areas of expertise
> > and responsibility (ie. which parts of the source tree they "own").
>
> I doubt this will help. Much of the code isn't owned by anybody
> specifically. Those parts that are owned typically find their patches
> reviewed and committed quickly (e.g. the tar file module, maintained by
> Lars Gustäbel).

Doesn't your last sentence completely contradict your first sentence?

> > 4. Acceptance by core developers that only half the "job" is developing
> > the core - the other half is mentoring potential future core developers.
>
> So what do you do with core developers that don't do their job? Fire them?

Of course not, but this is a cultural issue not a technical one. The first 
step in changing a culture is to change the expectations.

Phil