Analysis and description of an open source janitor project

Abstract

The objective of this study is to describe the inside and impact of the Linux Kernel Janitor Project. To describe and discuss how such janitor activity can be useful for others is also an objective. The Linux Kernel Janitor Project is a project defined to perform maintenance of the Linux kernel source, often taking on tasks that nobody else will be doing. The patches produced by the janitors have been analysed and some of the effects and properties of the work the project has carried out are described. Analysis show that janitor activity reduces the amount of code while still keeping the same functionality or improving it. The patches that are produced are kept in a backlog where typically 10-15% of them are replaced from one release to the next release. The process and rules/guidelines that the project uses for participation are described. Some of the participants of the Linux Kernel Janitor Project have been interviewed. Comparison with other open source projects that have some janitor activity has been performed.