Junio C Hamano wrote:

Heiko Voigt [off-list ref] writes:

quoted

diff --git a/Documentation/config.txt b/Documentation/config.txt
index ad22cb8..27cb7f1 100644
--- a/Documentation/config.txt
+++ b/Documentation/config.txt

@@ -715,6 +715,13 @@ format.thread::
 	A true boolean value is the same as `shallow`, and a false
 	value disables threading.
 
+format.signoff::
+    A boolean value which lets you enable the `-s/--signoff` option of
+    format-patch by default. *Note:* Adding the Signed-off-by: line to a
+    patch should be a conscious act and means that you certify you have
+    the rights to submit this work under the same open source license.
+    Please see the 'SubmittingPatches' document for further discussion.

I have a mixed feeling about this description.  The existing description
on the --signoff option merely talks about what it does, leaving what it
means, and it is quite deliberate.  If your project uses S-o-b, it may be
useful.  If yours doesn't, you simply just don't use it.  It does not
matter to _us_ as the document writer what that line means to your
project.

We do want to make the reader think twice iff S-o-b is used in the
reader's project with the same meaning as it means in git and the Linux
kernel project, which is what the description you added is about.  But
should we just assume if anybody uses S-o-b convention in their project
they must give it the same meaning as we give it?

The patch looks straightforward enough, and the wording we can update if
somebody can come up with a better one, so I'll apply the patch to
'master' and we will go from there.

How about:
"Some projects (notably the Linux kernel and git itself) put special
meaning in a 'Signed-off-by' line while other's dont. Please refer
to your project's documentation for appropriate behaviour."

Optionally with the following amendment:

"In general, you should refrain from signing off on a patch containing
material that you're not sure can be legally spread under the project's
license."

I'll whip up a patch if someone cares enough about it to say "+1" to
either proposal, or make a better one.

-- 
Andreas Ericsson                   andreas.ericsson@op5.se
OP5 AB                             www.op5.se
Tel: +46 8-230225                  Fax: +46 8-230231

Considering the successes of the wars on alcohol, poverty, drugs and
terror, I think we should give some serious thought to declaring war
on peace.