Re: request for Linux kernel related project ideas

["Robert P. J. Day" <rpjday@mindspring.com>]

i really don't want to turn this into a thread that never dies, so let
me just clarify what i'm talking about:

On Thu, 23 Aug 2007, linux-os (Dick Johnson) wrote:

> On Thu, 23 Aug 2007, Robert P. J. Day wrote:

> > i'm not sure that it's appropriate for LKML folks to be giving
> > anyone suggestions for projects.  the eventual choice of project
> > should be based on what *shaneed* wants, not what other people
> > tell him he should be doing.

> > in addition, sometimes part of the work involved in a school
> > project involves doing enough research to just make the *choice*.
> > what shaneed is asking is that others do that work for him.
> > IMHO, he should be told politely but firmly that selecting a topic
> > is *his* problem.  that's just part of the academic process.
> >
> Of course it is appropriate. Day's response is very strange indeed.
> As part of a student's research, he should ask questions of people
> who are likely to know some answers about his query.
>
> In fact, if students for which I am an adviser didn't ask such
> questions, and simply selected a project, I would question the
> validity of the project. Projects are not selected in a vacuum. Just
> like "real world" industry, there must be a need (read market) for
> the project (read product).

let's make sure we're not talking at cross-purposes here, ok?  i see
nothing wrong with someone asking for suggestions for projects in a
particular area, such as, "hey, i'm particularly interested in the
efficiency of R/W operations to flash-based filesystems, can someone
suggest a project in that area that would ultimately be useful to the
kernel community in general?"  that's perfect, no problem there, i
think that's a *great* idea.

however, what the OP seemed to be asking was for suggestions for a
project with a wide-open playing field, with no restrictions whatever,
and that's what i find inappropriate.  someone asking for that kind of
help should at least have put in the effort to narrow the field of
interest.  as i said, that's part of the academic process -- putting
in the time to, minimally, figure out what field you're interested in.
once you do that, then you're good to go.

rday
-- 
========================================================================
Robert P. J. Day
Linux Consulting, Training and Annoying Kernel Pedantry
Waterloo, Ontario, CANADA

http://crashcourse.ca
========================================================================