taking a break from Git

taking a break from Git

[Jeff King]

Hey all,

I'm going to be offline and completely absent from the mailing list for
five months starting at the end of December. After that, things are up
in the air, but I may not be as involved in the project as I have been.

Sorry, there's no juicy gossip or drama to share. I still like everyone,
and think it's a cool project. ;) After 15 years, it just feels like
it's time for a break and to perhaps apply my brain to something else
for a while.

There are a couple logistical things related to this:

  - I'm planning to step down from Git's Project Leadership Committee
    (the entity that represents Git within Software Freedom Conservancy,
    and which occasionally makes decisions on things like our project
    funds or assets like the trademark).

    That leaves Junio, Ævar, and Christian on the PLC, and the charter
    calls for having at least 3 members. So I don't technically need to
    be replaced, but maybe it's an opportunity for somebody else to get
    involved.

    We don't have a formal process here. The last discussion on adding
    new members was this thread from a few years ago:

      https://lore.kernel.org/git/20180816224138.GA15490@sigill.intra.peff.net/

  - I maintain the git-scm.com site (well, insofar as anybody does).
    There are a few regulars who review and merge pull requests at
    https://github.com/git/git-scm.com, but more help is always welcome
    there.

    The production parts of the site run on Heroku and Cloudflare. They
    don't need touched often, though we do trigger a manual update and
    flush the caches right after Junio releases, so that the site is
    updated immediately.  The Git PLC has the necessary credentials for
    those sites, though in practice I think I'm the only one there that
    touched it. Taylor (cc'd) has been helping out with that and also
    has access.

    If you want to get involved, I'd suggest subscribing to the repo
    linked above, and just helping out with issue/PR triage and
    response.  And of course bug fixes, features, and content updates
    are welcome, too. The README.md and ARCHITECTURE.md documents give
    an overview.

  - I really am going to stop reading the list. Even if you cc me. So
    please don't get mad if I don't review your patches, or respond to
    bug reports. :)

    Likewise, I'll be around for a bit more, and am trying to wrap up
    some personal topics and reviews. But undoubtedly I'll end up
    dropping many on the floor. Though that probably would have happened
    over the holidays anyway!

-Peff

Re: taking a break from Git

[Taylor Blau]

On Wed, Dec 15, 2021 at 11:38:25AM -0500, Jeff King wrote:
> Hey all,
>
> I'm going to be offline and completely absent from the mailing list for
> five months starting at the end of December. After that, things are up
> in the air, but I may not be as involved in the project as I have been.
>
> Sorry, there's no juicy gossip or drama to share. I still like everyone,
> and think it's a cool project. ;) After 15 years, it just feels like
> it's time for a break and to perhaps apply my brain to something else
> for a while.

I am going to miss seeing patches and review from you tremendously.

As prolific as Peff has been on the mailing list for the past 15 years,
he has also spent a lot of effort behind the scenes at GitHub as my
manager. He has provided me invaluable guidance and mentorship over the
years, and given me the freedom to pick and choose interesting projects
to work on.

We were recently talking off-list about the projects that he and I have
worked on together, and I remarked that none of it really felt like
"work". I think it takes a special skill to create that environment for
people, and Peff certainly has that skill.

I am a better programmer and Git contributor directly because of Peff's
efforts. I am sure that anybody who has been fortunate enough to get
review or advice from Peff feels the same as I do.

> There are a couple logistical things related to this:
>
>   - I'm planning to step down from Git's Project Leadership Committee
>     (the entity that represents Git within Software Freedom Conservancy,
>     and which occasionally makes decisions on things like our project
>     funds or assets like the trademark).
>
>     That leaves Junio, Ævar, and Christian on the PLC, and the charter
>     calls for having at least 3 members. So I don't technically need to
>     be replaced, but maybe it's an opportunity for somebody else to get
>     involved.
>
>     We don't have a formal process here. The last discussion on adding
>     new members was this thread from a few years ago:
>
>       https://lore.kernel.org/git/20180816224138.GA15490@sigill.intra.peff.net/

I would be honored to serve on the PLC if that is something others would
be in favor of, too. I can talk a little bit about my background and
thoughts here in a separate thread from this one.

>   - I maintain the git-scm.com site (well, insofar as anybody does).
>     There are a few regulars who review and merge pull requests at
>     https://github.com/git/git-scm.com, but more help is always welcome
>     there.
>
>     The production parts of the site run on Heroku and Cloudflare. They
>     don't need touched often, though we do trigger a manual update and
>     flush the caches right after Junio releases, so that the site is
>     updated immediately.  The Git PLC has the necessary credentials for
>     those sites, though in practice I think I'm the only one there that
>     touched it. Taylor (cc'd) has been helping out with that and also
>     has access.

Yes, I have credentials to our Heroku and Cloudfare accounts, and (I
believe) write access to the git-scm.com repository on GitHub. So I can
help do some light triage there, and at least prevent the site from
bit-rotting.

I've been doing the post-release manual update and cache purging as part
of my usual release routine for the past several releases, so I don't
mind continuing to do that, either.

>   - I really am going to stop reading the list. Even if you cc me. So
>     please don't get mad if I don't review your patches, or respond to
>     bug reports. :)

Please do ;). Enjoy your well deserved time off, and thank you.

Taylor

Re: taking a break from Git

[Christian Couder]

On Wed, Dec 15, 2021 at 6:09 PM Taylor Blau <me@ttaylorr.com> wrote:
>
> On Wed, Dec 15, 2021 at 11:38:25AM -0500, Jeff King wrote:
> > Hey all,
> >
> > I'm going to be offline and completely absent from the mailing list for
> > five months starting at the end of December. After that, things are up
> > in the air, but I may not be as involved in the project as I have been.
> >
> > Sorry, there's no juicy gossip or drama to share. I still like everyone,
> > and think it's a cool project. ;) After 15 years, it just feels like
> > it's time for a break and to perhaps apply my brain to something else
> > for a while.
>
> I am going to miss seeing patches and review from you tremendously.

Yeah, you will be missed a lot Peff!

[...]

> I am a better programmer and Git contributor directly because of Peff's
> efforts. I am sure that anybody who has been fortunate enough to get
> review or advice from Peff feels the same as I do.

Yeah, I feel the same too.

> > There are a couple logistical things related to this:
> >
> >   - I'm planning to step down from Git's Project Leadership Committee
> >     (the entity that represents Git within Software Freedom Conservancy,
> >     and which occasionally makes decisions on things like our project
> >     funds or assets like the trademark).
> >
> >     That leaves Junio, Ævar, and Christian on the PLC, and the charter
> >     calls for having at least 3 members. So I don't technically need to
> >     be replaced, but maybe it's an opportunity for somebody else to get
> >     involved.
> >
> >     We don't have a formal process here. The last discussion on adding
> >     new members was this thread from a few years ago:
> >
> >       https://lore.kernel.org/git/20180816224138.GA15490@sigill.intra.peff.net/
>
> I would be honored to serve on the PLC if that is something others would
> be in favor of, too. I can talk a little bit about my background and
> thoughts here in a separate thread from this one.

I am in favor of you serving on the PLC and I would appreciate it if
others would nominate themself or others either publicly or privately
by emailing git@sfconservancy.org. I think it's a good idea to open
this up every few years.

> >   - I maintain the git-scm.com site (well, insofar as anybody does).
> >     There are a few regulars who review and merge pull requests at
> >     https://github.com/git/git-scm.com, but more help is always welcome
> >     there.
> >
> >     The production parts of the site run on Heroku and Cloudflare. They
> >     don't need touched often, though we do trigger a manual update and
> >     flush the caches right after Junio releases, so that the site is
> >     updated immediately.  The Git PLC has the necessary credentials for
> >     those sites, though in practice I think I'm the only one there that
> >     touched it. Taylor (cc'd) has been helping out with that and also
> >     has access.
>
> Yes, I have credentials to our Heroku and Cloudfare accounts, and (I
> believe) write access to the git-scm.com repository on GitHub. So I can
> help do some light triage there, and at least prevent the site from
> bit-rotting.
>
> I've been doing the post-release manual update and cache purging as part
> of my usual release routine for the past several releases, so I don't
> mind continuing to do that, either.

Thanks for doing this!

> >   - I really am going to stop reading the list. Even if you cc me. So
> >     please don't get mad if I don't review your patches, or respond to
> >     bug reports. :)
>
> Please do ;). Enjoy your well deserved time off, and thank you.

Yeah, thanks!

Re: taking a break from Git

[Kaartic Sivaraam]

Hi Peff,

On 15/12/21 10:39 pm, Taylor Blau wrote:
> On Wed, Dec 15, 2021 at 11:38:25AM -0500, Jeff King wrote:
>> Hey all,
>>
>> I'm going to be offline and completely absent from the mailing list for
>> five months starting at the end of December. After that, things are up
>> in the air, but I may not be as involved in the project as I have been.
>>
>> Sorry, there's no juicy gossip or drama to share. I still like everyone,
>> and think it's a cool project. ;) After 15 years, it just feels like
>> it's time for a break and to perhaps apply my brain to something else
>> for a while.
> 
> I am going to miss seeing patches and review from you tremendously.
> 
> ...
>
> I am a better programmer and Git contributor directly because of Peff's
> efforts. I am sure that anybody who has been fortunate enough to get
> review or advice from Peff feels the same as I do.
> 

I could resonate with this. I've always seen you as a prolific contributor
who is able to provide valuable feedback to long-timers and newcomers all
the same. Thanks for all that you've done so, Peff!

> 
>>    - I really am going to stop reading the list. Even if you cc me. So
>>      please don't get mad if I don't review your patches, or respond to
>>      bug reports. :)
> 
> Please do ;). Enjoy your well deserved time off, and thank you.
> 

I hope the same too. Wishing you luck on your future endeavour, Peff!

-- 
Sivaraam

PS: I've been wanting to interview you for Git Rev News for
quite some time now. Looks like I've waited too long. Given
the circumstance, I don't wish to bother you with one. But if
you feel like giving an interview, feel free to let me know :-)

Re: taking a break from Git

[Junio C Hamano]

Jeff King <peff@peff.net> writes:

> I'm going to be offline and completely absent from the mailing list for
> five months starting at the end of December. After that, things are up
> in the air, but I may not be as involved in the project as I have been.
>
> Sorry, there's no juicy gossip or drama to share. I still like everyone,
> and think it's a cool project. ;) After 15 years, it just feels like
> it's time for a break and to perhaps apply my brain to something else
> for a while.
>
> There are a couple logistical things related to this:
> ...

First, let me thank you for the tremendous impact to the community
your contribution had in the past years.  All of these "hidden from
public" contributions of you have been very valuable, of course, but
I am sure many of us will miss your public contributions, insightful
comments on technical issues, suggestions to pursue possible
different approaches and alternative solutions, encouragements given
to new developers with gentle nudges, and helpful hints to new
users.

The development community wouldn't have been what we have today
without you.  It has been a fun project for me, too, and that's
largely thanks to your presence around here.

I hope that whatever you'd start doing next year is as enjoyable as
working on Git with you has been for me in the past 15 years.  If
you find renewed interest in Git after 5 months' sabbatical, that
would be more than fine, too ;-)

RE: taking a break from Git

[rsbecker]

On December 15, 2021 11:38 AM, Jeff King wrote:
> Hey all,
> 
> I'm going to be offline and completely absent from the mailing list for five
> months starting at the end of December. After that, things are up in the air,
> but I may not be as involved in the project as I have been.
> 
> Sorry, there's no juicy gossip or drama to share. I still like everyone, and think
> it's a cool project. ;) After 15 years, it just feels like it's time for a break and to
> perhaps apply my brain to something else for a while.

I would like to chime in and thank Peff, for me and on behalf of my team, for his support in resolving and fixing issues we have found with the NonStop port - his advice has been invaluable. I will personally miss his help and advice.

Peff: my door is always open.

Kind Regards,
Randall

Re: taking a break from Git

[Phillip Wood]

Hi Peff

On 15/12/2021 16:38, Jeff King wrote:
> Hey all,
> 
> I'm going to be offline and completely absent from the mailing list for
> five months starting at the end of December. After that, things are up
> in the air, but I may not be as involved in the project as I have been.
> 
> Sorry, there's no juicy gossip or drama to share. I still like everyone,
> and think it's a cool project. ;) After 15 years, it just feels like
> it's time for a break and to perhaps apply my brain to something else
> for a while.

As others have said you will be missed in many ways. Your clear, 
comprehensive commit messages and thoughtful comments on the list have 
been a particular inspiration to me. Enjoy your time off and good luck 
with whatever you decide to do after that.

Best Wishes

Phillip

Re: taking a break from Git

[Ævar Arnfjörð Bjarmason]

On Wed, Dec 15 2021, Jeff King wrote:

Thanks a lot for everything. Your contributions, advice and example have
been invaluable.

I wish you all the best. I hope this isn't goodbye as far as interaction
with this project is concerned.

>   - I really am going to stop reading the list. Even if you cc me. So
>     please don't get mad if I don't review your patches, or respond to
>     bug reports. :)

A couple of practical questions:

Do you have a preference either way for being kept or omitted from CC?
I.e. if/when you'd come back to have that E-Mail backlog, or for us to
stop CC-ing you? Clearly you'd still get some traffic, but at least us
list regulars could take that into account.

You have various WIP code in topics at https://github.com/peff/git. Some
of which has your SOB, some not. I keep it as a remote and sometimes run
into prior art with "log --all <path>" and the like.

You noted a while ago (IIRC, haven't dug up where) that inline patches
of yours to the list could be assumed to have your SOB, does the same
apply to what's sitting in that repo?

I picked up/stole some patches from it recently for the e48a623dea0
(Merge branch 'ab/http-drop-old-curl', 2021-08-24) topic. It might be
useful for me/others to similarly pick WIP work from there in the
future, obviously while clearly communicating that this is based on some
WIP patch that sat in your repo, not something you submitted on-list.

Re: taking a break from Git

[Jeff King]

On Mon, Dec 20, 2021 at 01:45:05PM +0100, Ævar Arnfjörð Bjarmason wrote:

> Do you have a preference either way for being kept or omitted from CC?
> I.e. if/when you'd come back to have that E-Mail backlog, or for us to
> stop CC-ing you? Clearly you'd still get some traffic, but at least us
> list regulars could take that into account.

I don't care much either way. I long ago had to start filtering the cc's
on list emails into a separate spot from my main inbox. So I can happily
ignore that separate folder. :) As far as combing through the backlog, I
expect I'd just have to declare bankruptcy anyway.

> You have various WIP code in topics at https://github.com/peff/git. Some
> of which has your SOB, some not. I keep it as a remote and sometimes run
> into prior art with "log --all <path>" and the like.
> 
> You noted a while ago (IIRC, haven't dug up where) that inline patches
> of yours to the list could be assumed to have your SOB, does the same
> apply to what's sitting in that repo?

Yes, there's nothing in there that I wouldn't sign-off. But just to make
things more clear, I went through and added one to all of the commits in
the repository.

You or anyone else is welcome to mine it for ideas or code. There are
dragons, of course, but a lot of it is working code that I just didn't
get around to polishing. Any branch not marked with "-wip" is something
that I merged into my daily-driver version of Git, and passed all tests.
So at least it shouldn't be _too_ broken. :)

Thanks for thinking about these logistical issues.

-Peff

Re: taking a break from Git

[Philip Oakley]

On 15/12/2021 16:38, Jeff King wrote:
> Hey all,
>
> I'm going to be offline and completely absent from the mailing list for
> five months starting at the end of December. After that, things are up
> in the air, but I may not be as involved in the project as I have been.

May I wish you a very happy Christmas, a great New Year and enjoyable break.

Thank you for all the contributions and help over the years, and it was
good to see you at Git Merge 2019 (seems so long ago now)

All the best

Philip

>
> Sorry, there's no juicy gossip or drama to share. I still like everyone,
> and think it's a cool project. ;) After 15 years, it just feels like
> it's time for a break and to perhaps apply my brain to something else
> for a while.
>
> There are a couple logistical things related to this:
>
>   - I'm planning to step down from Git's Project Leadership Committee
>     (the entity that represents Git within Software Freedom Conservancy,
>     and which occasionally makes decisions on things like our project
>     funds or assets like the trademark).
>
>     That leaves Junio, Ævar, and Christian on the PLC, and the charter
>     calls for having at least 3 members. So I don't technically need to
>     be replaced, but maybe it's an opportunity for somebody else to get
>     involved.
>
>     We don't have a formal process here. The last discussion on adding
>     new members was this thread from a few years ago:
>
>       https://lore.kernel.org/git/20180816224138.GA15490@sigill.intra.peff.net/
>
>   - I maintain the git-scm.com site (well, insofar as anybody does).
>     There are a few regulars who review and merge pull requests at
>     https://github.com/git/git-scm.com, but more help is always welcome
>     there.
>
>     The production parts of the site run on Heroku and Cloudflare. They
>     don't need touched often, though we do trigger a manual update and
>     flush the caches right after Junio releases, so that the site is
>     updated immediately.  The Git PLC has the necessary credentials for
>     those sites, though in practice I think I'm the only one there that
>     touched it. Taylor (cc'd) has been helping out with that and also
>     has access.
>
>     If you want to get involved, I'd suggest subscribing to the repo
>     linked above, and just helping out with issue/PR triage and
>     response.  And of course bug fixes, features, and content updates
>     are welcome, too. The README.md and ARCHITECTURE.md documents give
>     an overview.
>
>   - I really am going to stop reading the list. Even if you cc me. So
>     please don't get mad if I don't review your patches, or respond to
>     bug reports. :)
>
>     Likewise, I'll be around for a bit more, and am trying to wrap up
>     some personal topics and reviews. But undoubtedly I'll end up
>     dropping many on the floor. Though that probably would have happened
>     over the holidays anyway!
>
> -Peff

Re: taking a break from Git

[Elijah Newren]

On Wed, Dec 15, 2021 at 1:40 PM Jeff King <peff@peff.net> wrote:
>
> Hey all,
>
> I'm going to be offline and completely absent from the mailing list for
> five months starting at the end of December. After that, things are up
> in the air, but I may not be as involved in the project as I have been.
>
> Sorry, there's no juicy gossip or drama to share. I still like everyone,
> and think it's a cool project. ;) After 15 years, it just feels like
> it's time for a break and to perhaps apply my brain to something else
> for a while.

Your contributions have been felt far and wide -- from patches, to
reviewing and mentorship, to setting up events, to just all around
friendliness.  I wish you luck and joy in whatever you decide to do
next.  (And selfishly, I hope you decide to come back to Git after
your five month sabbatical, but wish you the best with whatever you
choose to do.)

I'm slightly regretting right now waiting for ns/tmp-objdir to merge
to 'next' before resubmitting en/remerge-diff rebased on top of it;
it's probably too late now, but I resubmitted it anyway[1].  If you
have a chance for a follow-up review before you take off, I'd
appreciate it.  If not, you've already improved the series
significantly with your suggestions.  :-)


[1] https://lore.kernel.org/git/pull.1103.git.1640109948.gitgitgadget@gmail.com/