-How the linux-next tree will fit into the development process is still
-changing. As of this writing, the first full development cycle involving
-linux-next (2.6.26) is coming to an end; thus far, it has proved to be a
-valuable resource for finding and fixing integration problems before the
-beginning of the merge window. See http://lwn.net/Articles/287155/ for
-more information on how linux-next has worked to set up the 2.6.27 merge
-window.
-
-Some developers have begun to suggest that linux-next should be used as the
-target for future development as well. The linux-next tree does tend to be
-far ahead of the mainline and is more representative of the tree into which
-any new work will be merged. The downside to this idea is that the
-volatility of linux-next tends to make it a difficult development target.
-See http://lwn.net/Articles/289013/ for more information on this topic, and
-stay tuned; much is still in flux where linux-next is involved.
-
-Besides the mmotm and linux-next trees, the kernel source tree now contains
-the drivers/staging/ directory and many sub-directories for drivers or
-filesystems that are on their way to being added to the kernel tree
-proper, but they remain in drivers/staging/ while they still need more
-work.
+Linux-next has become an integral part of the kernel development process;
+all patches merged during a given merge window should really have found
+their way into linux-next some time before the merge window opens.
+
+
+2.4.1: STAGING TREES
+
+The kernel source tree contains the drivers/staging/ directory, where
+many sub-directories for drivers or filesystems that are on their way to
+being added to the kernel tree live. They remain in drivers/staging while
+they still need more work; once complete, they can be moved into the
+kernel proper. This is a way to keep track of drivers that aren't
+up to Linux kernel coding or quality standards, but people may want to use
+them and track development.
+
+Greg Kroah-Hartman currently maintains the staging tree. Drivers that
+still need work are sent to him, with each driver having its own
+subdirectory in drivers/staging/. Along with the driver source files, a
+TODO file should be present in the directory as well. The TODO file lists
+the pending work that the driver needs for acceptance into the kernel
+proper, as well as a list of people that should be Cc'd for any patches to
+the driver. Current rules require that drivers contributed to staging
+must, at a minimum, compile properly.
+
+Staging can be a relatively easy way to get new drivers into the mainline
+where, with luck, they will come to the attention of other developers and
+improve quickly. Entry into staging is not the end of the story, though;
+code in staging which is not seeing regular progress will eventually be
+removed. Distributors also tend to be relatively reluctant to enable
+staging drivers. So staging is, at best, a stop on the way toward becoming
+a proper mainline driver.