[ros-dev] Open-source and newcomers

[Dmitry Gorbachev]

Hi,

> The general feeling is "Who the f#ck he thinks he is? He's not from
> our group, he is not one of us (he didn't do anything to our project
> yet). Blah-blah-blah... I just hate this guy!". This irrational hate
> is very tangible, believe me. It is very de-motivational. (And I
> probably shouldn't have reacted the way I did to some of it, but, hey,
> I am no Jesus Christ, and it's only now that I've sorted those things
> out for myself).
>
> But you can say: Hey, we are not hostile, because:
>
>  - "I, personally, entered the group in the past and it was Ok."
>  - "Look at that guy and that guy – we were soooo nice to them!"
>
> Let's see... When can a closed group readily accept a newcomer?
> When it doesn't perceive him as a threat.
>
> This means the newcomer must come in a very submissive pose and
> exhibit not a slightest sign of aggressive attitude. Actually, the
> more you cry for mercy, the more chances are that you will be easily
> accepted into the group. Broken leg or being a total looser may help,
> as compassion will start to overtake the initial hostility.
>
> The "pose" on the text-based Internet is mainly how one talks.
> This is an example of a submissive pose:
>
> "Oh, Great Lords, you are so cool and I am not worthy. I beg you to
> let me develop for ReactOS, I am not much, but I will dutifully learn
> from you, Wise Masters, I will catch every word you say and ignore any
> insults you will throw my way. I will not criticize you in any way.
> I will do all the shitty tasks silently and obediently for several years
> until I slowly climb your social ladder. I will not complain of being
> called stupid and not-worthy 'cause that's who I am..."
>
> And so it goes... An ass-kisser, to be short.
>
> And then the Wise Great Masters will generously allow this no-worthy
> worm into their Temple.
>
> This happens everywhere. Just take a closer look.
>
> --
>
> But this constitutes a problem. The group acts as a filter that favors
> the wrong kind of people.
>
> Because a good developer, after all, is usually opinionated, criticizes
> what he thinks is wrong, doesn't like to be called stupid and be given
> insults and shitty tasks. He challenges existing routines and things
> the group got used to. He is a threat.

I think you're greatly exaggerating! Also, please read this from GCC
mailing list: <http://gcc.gnu.org/ml/gcc/2009-04/msg00494.html>.