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Re: [PATCH v2] SubmittingPatches: allow non-real name contributions

From
Junio C Hamano <gitster@pobox.com>
Date
Jul 16, 2025, 14:41 UTC
Message-ID
<xmqqple0dwpa.fsf@gitster.g>
In-Reply-To
<20250716002523.1392423-1-sandals@crustytoothpaste.net>
"brian m. carlson" <sandals@crustytoothpaste.net> writes:
> Note that this policy is the same as that of the Linux kernel[0] and the
> CNCF[1], as well as many smaller projects.  The Linux kernel patch was
> Acked-by one of the Linux Foundation's lawyers, Michael Dolan, so it
> appears these changes have had legal review.

I understand what this wants to say, but found it a tiny bit misleading. The kernel and CNCF do not agree with the exact wording, and this one copies from neither, so "policy is the same" is really "policy is in the same in spirit, even though the text to spell out that policy used by all these three projects differ".

Which is not a bad thing at all, but was a bit misleading.
Show 10 quoted lines
> Additionally, retain the section header ID for ease of linking across
> versions.
>
> [0] https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=d4563201f33a022fc0353033d9dfeb1606a88330
> [1] https://github.com/cncf/foundation/blob/659fd32c86dc/dco-guidelines.md
>
> Signed-off-by: brian m. carlson <sandals@crustytoothpaste.net>
> ---
>  Documentation/SubmittingPatches | 11 +++++++++--
>  1 file changed, 9 insertions(+), 2 deletions(-)

The text with the patch applied is great. Let's merge it down quickly to 'master'.

Thanks.
Show 22 quoted lines
> diff --git a/Documentation/SubmittingPatches b/Documentation/SubmittingPatches
> index 958e3cc3d5..86ca7f6a78 100644
> --- a/Documentation/SubmittingPatches
> +++ b/Documentation/SubmittingPatches
> @@ -408,8 +408,15 @@ your patch differs from project to project, so it may be different
>  from that of the project you are accustomed to.
>  
>  [[real-name]]
> -Also notice that a real name is used in the `Signed-off-by` trailer. Please
> -don't hide your real name.
> +Please use a known identity in the `Signed-off-by` trailer, since we cannot
> +accept anonymous contributions. It is common, but not required, to use some form
> +of your real name. We realize that some contributors are not comfortable doing
> +so or prefer to contribute under a pseudonym or preferred name and we can accept
> +your patch either way, as long as the name and email you use are distinctive,
> +identifying, and not misleading.
> +
> +The goal of this policy is to allow us to have sufficient information to contact
> +you if questions arise about your contribution.
>  
>  [[commit-trailers]]
>  If you like, you can put extra trailers at the end:
Previous: Patrick Steinhardt
Message 18 of 18 in “SubmittingPatches: allow non-real name contributions”
  1. SubmittingPatches: allow non-real name contributionsbrian m. carlson, Jul 6, 2025
  2. Jacob KellerJul 6, 2025
  3. Junio C HamanoJul 7, 2025
  4. Ayush ChandekarJul 7, 2025
  5. Theodore Ts'oJul 7, 2025
  6. Junio C HamanoJul 7, 2025
  7. Jacob KellerJul 10, 2025
  8. Phillip WoodJul 7, 2025
  9. Jeff KingJul 7, 2025
  10. Martin ÅgrenJul 8, 2025
  11. Jeff KingJul 8, 2025
  12. brian m. carlsonJul 9, 2025
  13. Jeff KingJul 10, 2025
  14. Junio C HamanoJul 10, 2025
  15. SubmittingPatches: allow non-real name contributionsbrian m. carlson, Jul 16, 2025
  16. Jeff KingJul 16, 2025
  17. Patrick SteinhardtJul 16, 2025
  18. Junio C HamanoJul 16, 2025

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