A project model for the FreeBSD Project
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# 6.8. Reacting to misbehaviour

[FreeBSD, 2001] has a number of rules that committers should follow. However, it happens that these rules are broken. The following rules exist in order to be able to react to misbehaviour. They specify what actions will result in how long a suspension the committer's commit privileges.

- Committing during code freezes without the approval of the Release Engineering team - 2 days

- Committing to a security branch without approval - 2 days

- Commit wars - 5 days to all participating parties

- Impolite or inappropriate behaviour - 5 days

[Lehey, 2002]

For the suspensions to be efficient, any single core member can implement a suspension before discussing it on the “core” mailing list. Repeat offenders can, with a 2/3 vote by core, receive harsher penalties, including permanent removal of commit privileges. (However, the latter is always viewed as a last resort, due to its inherent tendency to create controversy). All suspensions are posted to the “developers” mailing list, a list available to committers only.

It is important that you cannot be suspended for making technical errors. All penalties come from breaking social etiquette.

Hats involved in this process:

- Core team

- Committer

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