Towards a Linux Kernel Maintainer Handbook

Explore the need for a Linux Kernel Maintainer Handbook in this 46-minute conference talk from the Linux Plumbers Conference. Delve into the challenges and inconsistencies in kernel maintenance practices, and understand why standardized guidelines are crucial for scaling the project and onboarding new maintainers. Learn about common mistakes, pain points, and the varying experiences of contributors across different subsystems. Discover potential solutions, including the creation of a comprehensive handbook and subsystem-specific rules. Gain insights into setting expectations, patch acceptance processes, and tooling recommendations. Engage with the speaker's call to action for expanding and improving kernel maintenance practices to support the continued growth of the Linux kernel project.

Intro
What this talk is about
What we are
Why a handbook
Pain
Lessons learned
After the blowup males
Subsystem Profile
Setting Expectations
Patch Acceptance
Tooling