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Insulting the person probably serves as a filter - at that point that person either shapes up or stops committing, either of which is a better outcome for Linus
by ericd 13y ago
Insulting the person probably serves as a filter - at that point that person either shapes up or stops committing, either of which is a better outcome for Linus than that person continuing to commit crap code for Linus to have to look at/approve. Your more reasonable comment doesn't have the same effect, so it's not the strictly better solution, depending on what Linus values.
- flumbaps 13y agoWhy not just ask them not to commit?
- abdel 13y agoare you serious? It's a free software dude.
- ericd 13y agoNote in my comment that I said that some people will reject his insult and try harder next time, which potentially adds another good contributor to the project. Just telling them to go away and never come back doesn't do that, and is probably more hurtful to boot.
- scotty79 13y ago@flumbaps - Because it's more impolite and hurtful? People tend to be more hurt by clear rejection then they are by being called stupid for something they did.