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Is there a way to fund linux kernel development as a community? (programming.dev)

submitted 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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I think it's obvious (and has been) that the linux kernel needs more contributors and more maintainers to share the load*. The Linux Foundation spending 2% on kernel development in 2024 (page 18) does something but not nearly enough.

Is there a way that we as a community / third parties / non kernel devs can fund kernel developers and maybe even get a kernel maintainer in there? Maybe something already exists or do we have to start something ourselves?

*: Yes, I understand our overworked maintainer problem (being one of these people myself), but here we have people actually doing the work! - Greg KH

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[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 days ago (1 children)

One way is to donate to devs who are working on some specific features in the Linux kernel. The two I remember are Hector Martin who lead the Asahi Linux project and Kent Overstreet who is the main dev behind bcachefs, a new CoW FS.

But I guess this only works if there is some dev already working on a feature and is accepting donations. I wish we had community linux project or something similar which was funded by donations and hired kernel devs to work on things the community voted on.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 days ago

I wish we had community linux project or something similar which was funded by donations and hired kernel devs to work on things the community voted on

This is probably what I'm looking for. I wonder how we can get this started. "Linux Kernel Collective" where you can pledge money to the development of the kernel in general, a specific thing in the kernel, or a specific team - with or without stipulations i.e "I trust you, I just donate" and "please show proof e.g monthly reports".

Dunno what would need to be done to get that started, if it already exists, or whether something like OpenCollective could be a good starting point.

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