Thoughts on the new Linux Code of Conduct

This post is a companion article for the YouTube video I did about the new Linux Code of Conduct. I’ll briefly summarize my thoughts here in this article and add a couple of extras that I didn’t cover in the video.

Summary

Putting the summary at the top of the article feels a bit weird but, to summarize my feelings about the new Linux Code of Conduct (CoC): It’s generally fine.

I say generally because I’ve read and re-read the language used in the CoC and admittedly it’s a bit weird. Referring to personal characteristics such as “Body Size” in the Code of Conduct for a very technical project seems remarkably odd.

The spirit of the CoC is true; to hold Kernel maintainers accountable to a certain level of professional standard. This is not unreasonable! The Linux Kernel is a very publicly visible project and it’s important that people who conduct themselves in public working on the Kernel act accordingly.

Professionalism

Like I stated in the video, if I replied to an email chain (compared to a Mailing List) at my job and rattled off obscenities or discussed a controversial or divisive topic, I would very likely be terminated on the spot.

Historically, Linux Kernel maintainers weren’t accountable to anyone at a non-code level. There are many cultural and societal norms that transcend into a professional business environment and there was nothing really that held maintainers accountable to the standard.

I know that many people point out the previous Code of Conduct (conflict?) but it wasn’t enforced. The new CoC was announced publicly and several lead developers signed off on it. This makes it significantly more legitimate than the previous CoC.

Questionable Origins

I understand peoples’ reservations about the origin of the CoC. And I think it was in poor taste to adopt the CoC given the legacy of the author.

I’m not surprised that people reacted negatively over the author’s contribution to the CoC and subsequent Tweets after it’s adoption. It feels like the signatories of the Linux CoC unwittingly ignored the fact that the author has a bit of controversial past and that reflects badly on them as a leadership team.

However despite these questionable origins, I don’t think the CoC is bad and the author doesn’t have a stake in the Linux Kernel nor is she a contributor or maintainer. She merely authored the CoC, nothing more.

The Real Summary

The new Linux Code of Conduct is Just Fine ™️. There’s room for both improvement and clarity about it’s message, but it is generally fine and serves it’s purpose as a document that governs how Kernel Maintainers conduct themselves in the public spotlight.