I don’ t think so—it is a difference in how the world works. Anyone in the world can submit kernel patches. The filtering does not occur at the people level, it occurs at the piece-of-code level.
Linus does not say “I pronounce you a kernel developer” or “You’re no longer a kernel developer”—he says “I accept this patch” or “I do not accept this patch”.
You are describing a (dubious) difference in word use, not a difference in how the world works.
I don’ t think so—it is a difference in how the world works. Anyone in the world can submit kernel patches. The filtering does not occur at the people level, it occurs at the piece-of-code level.
Linus does not say “I pronounce you a kernel developer” or “You’re no longer a kernel developer”—he says “I accept this patch” or “I do not accept this patch”.