In a recent mailing list update, Linus Torvalds expressed frustration over passive voice in commit messages, urging developers to adopt a more active and clear communication style.

Linus Torvalds expressed frustration over the use of passive voice in merge commit messages, preferring active and imperative language instead.

He provided an example of how commit messages should be rewritten for clarity and consistency across the project.

Torvalds noted that while it’s not a major issue, it does add extra work when he has to rewrite messages to match his preference.

  • hector@sh.itjust.works
    0·
    1 month ago

    He said he has trouble feeling empathy and he’s working on it. When this happens he was super mean towards the volunteer work of some contributors who quit the project.

    I’m not blaming Linus, I’m just saying I don’t feel like it’s a good atmosphere to work in Linux. It doesn’t feel friendly at all

    Thus the scary and stressing quality

    • MyNameIsRichard@lemmy.ml
      0·
      1 month ago

      That’s not scary. The trick when dealing with that kind of review is to parse out the technical and not take the rest personally, which maybe takes a certain kind of personality.

      • derpgon@programming.dev
        1·
        1 month ago

        I do that by default. I have to actively think about empathy when I do CRs, because the other devs (who should not be doing these kinds of mistakes) just can’t fucking do their job right for once.

        But when I am getting a review, I don’t get mad unless I am personally attacked (happened with a colleague who had a very high ego and somehow made it to a higher position, finally being let go about half a year back).