I see, and so you assume that that job would be the contribution. When I contributed to the kernel (in a rather minor way, I hasten to add), I was competent en

I see, and so you assume that that job would be the contribution. When I contributed to the kernel (in a rather minor way, I hasten to add), I was competent enough to get a job as a programmer but my job had nothing to do with the kernel. As far as I can remember that was typical for the people who contributed during the first five years or so. I didn't pay much attention after that.