Re: [Tech-board-discuss] [MAINTAINERS SUMMIT] Maintainers Support Group

[Steven Rostedt <rostedt@goodmis.org>]

On Tue, 19 Sep 2023 16:39:11 -0400
"Theodore Ts'o" <tytso@mit.edu> wrote:

> On Tue, Sep 19, 2023 at 10:52:40AM -0600, Shuah wrote:
> > As a member of the CoC, I respectfully disagree with the statement "but all the
> > focus has mainly been around telling maintainers how to behave." This impression
> > might have been the result of one unfortunate incident that took place last year.
> > is only part of what CoC has been doing.
> > 
> > A majority of reports are related to incorrect understanding of how the community
> > works and discusses technical issues. Most of them get resolved without involving
> > the community. This is behind the scenes silent work CoC does.
> > 
> > It is unfortunate that CoC is being viewed as a body that is focused on telling
> > maintainers how to behave. I would encourage to not view CoC work based on one
> > or two cases that were outliers. CoC worked very hard to resolve them fairly and
> > that benefited the community as a whole.  
> 
> Shuah, I don't think this is the fault of the CoC.  Much of it is in
> how people interpret the CoC, or think it should be adapted.

And one huge distinction between the CoC and the support group is that the
support group will have absolutely zero authority to lay out any
consequences to all of the parties involved. Where as the CoC can if it
deems fit, escalate the ramifications if things do not move it a way it
feels necessary.

It's like having a family member that is abusing drugs. You go to a support
group to get help. You do not go to law enforcement, as that could escalate
to unintended consequences to the individual you want to help.

That alone will keep people from contacting CoC in some situations where a
support group could indeed help.

Look at Bart's reply to my email. He was concerned about leaving a trail in
some mailing list. That's the type of situation I want to address.

-- Steve