Re: As far as I can see...
Exactly! I've run groups of volunteers and the biggest problem is getting a solid commitment. Most people here would have been managed in a work environment, there you have to do the job so everyone is already committed to the project as payday is reliant on you pulling your weight.
With volunteers, people will happily say they will commit but then when you push them a little to get done what they promised, they suddenly have 50 other things to get done! If you get a commitment from someone then a promise is a promise and it needs to be seen through unless circumstances are so bad that it's impossible.
I can't imagine what it's like to be in charge of such an important piece of code like the Linux Kernel and ensure all the egos are held in check and everyone is doing what they said they would to the best of their ability. Like herding a swarm of locust using a tea strainer!