Would you care to comment on what you are currently working on for FreeBSD?
Right now I'm just sort of taking some time to look at FreeBSD with a bit more objectivity than I've had in the past, and thinking about what I'd still like to see it achieve. Hopefully I've got at least one more ports-collection type of idea in me.
Do you still do any "REAL" development work with FreeBSD? What would he suggest to someone who was new to coding and that wanted to get involved and help out with the project / development?
I no longer do any REAL development work with FreeBSD, which is unfortunate since that's the only part I ever really enjoy, so I'm trying to get away from the grunt work again and more into the mode of doing small bursts of "real" work.
What I would suggest would be to lurk on the mailing lists for awhile and just listen to what people are talking/complaining about. It's a bit like crossing a busy street - the best way to learn how is to become good at judging your moment and jumping in. There's nothing like being hit a few times to teach you that lesson, so don't get discouraged if your first few efforts meet with scorn or indifference.
Is FreeBSD your os of choice? Do you still keep a windows box around for gaming?
FreeBSD for firewall, services, Unix desktop. Mac OS X for main desktop, office stuff and gaming.
How many people work full-time on the FreeBSD project?
I would estimate perhaps 20 on average, and at least a couple of hundred unique contributors each month.
I noticed there are not many females that contribute to the project, why is that?
Yes, why is that, I always ask. I have no idea. We've tried very hard to recruit some but the only two female committers we ever had wandered off without doing anything. There seems to be some time conflict involved, which I think has to do with the fact that most females try to have a life, where as guys the same age are quite willing to forgo any semblance of one. It must be a hormonal thing.
Do you have any worries about elitism in the FreeBSD community being damaging to the projects goals? Especially when dealing with linux users?
Nope. Slashdot has been complaining about elitism in the *BSD community since day one, and even before Slashdot it was something I heard was going to bring about the end of the world -- We're still here.
I recall an article a short time ago where the navy was pledging support for FreeBSD development. What do you know about the navy's relationship with FreeBSD?
We have a strictly don't ask, don't tell relationship with the Navy; Sorry, no, in truth I don't know -- I haven't heard much about that project in quite some time.
Can you comment on the general attitudes of companies when they are approached for a FreeBSD port -- such as Nvidia for example?
Well, Nvidia has its own rep when working with the open source folks is concerned, so I won't elaborate any more on that. Where we can make some kind of business case for it, they're generally pretty receptive. It's just making a business case that's hard, and you can't really blame the company for wanting to hear one.
Has Microsoft planned to implement an official version of their OS with BSD ?
It would certainly explain why Bill's been looking at me strangely every time we have had lunch lately.
- "FreeBSD 5.0"
- "General FreeBSD Questions"
- "FreeBSD, Apple and the Other *BSDs"
- "Jordan, the FreeBSD Community, and the world"
