From mboxrd@z Thu Jan 1 00:00:00 1970 Return-Path: Received: (majordomo@vger.kernel.org) by vger.kernel.org via listexpand id ; Mon, 31 Dec 2001 21:37:18 -0500 Received: (majordomo@vger.kernel.org) by vger.kernel.org id ; Mon, 31 Dec 2001 21:37:08 -0500 Received: from pimout1-ext.prodigy.net ([207.115.63.77]:31422 "EHLO pimout1-int.prodigy.net") by vger.kernel.org with ESMTP id ; Mon, 31 Dec 2001 21:36:53 -0500 To: linux-kernel@vger.kernel.org Subject: Kernel development model: DNA vs. ouija-board. From: walt Date: 31 Dec 2001 18:29:13 -0800 Message-ID: <871yha2492.fsf@sbcglobal.net> User-Agent: Gnus/5.0808 (Gnus v5.8.8) Emacs/20.7 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Sender: linux-kernel-owner@vger.kernel.org X-Mailing-List: linux-kernel@vger.kernel.org I've been following l-k at a respectful distance for more than a year now, not because I'm capable of doing kernel development but because the open-source phenomenon is truly fascinating to me. I think I understand the Cathedral but the bazaar eludes me. I'm amazed at the results and I thank all of you for all the hard work you do. I enjoy the fruits of your labor every day. Linus's Darwinian development model is interesting--but not universally accepted as accurate by you people who are actually doing the work. I keep thinking about it, trying to figure something that might work better. Some object that the intelligent guidance found in this group has no counterpart in the natural selection of species. What about substituting the ouija-board for random selection? A ouija board seems like something that might be found in a bazaar, anyway. For those that insist on a scientific explanation for the ouija phenomenon, one can easily imagine that the direction of the board is guided sub-conciously by those who can best adapt to and understand the group's collective conciousness (to borrow an annoying phrase from my college days). Seems to me this model has room for both random noise and for intelligent guidance--competing for dominance at all times, and one predominating over the other at any given instant. I'll be following along whether I understand the development model or not--and I'll drink a toast to you all at midnight tonight...a very happy and intelligently random New Year to you!