Subject: Is usage of debian email address appropriate while contributing to other free software projects?

Hi,

While pushing commits to debian packages, I have my @d.o configured in global gbp.conf and hence
that address applies to my commits to packaging contributions. However, I have another non @d.o
address in gitconfig.

When I push commits to repos in debian without gbp, it leads to commits going with non d.o address.
Furthermore, I have to double think if I should use my @d.o when I am forwarding debian
patches to upstream projects v/s when I am not.

All of this is adding to some confusion and more often than not leading to commits with a mix
of addresses. I don't see any guideline for usage of debian address. Hence, I'd like to ask
is it fine to use @d.o address for all and any free software related work including address
on commits and even communicating on (other) mailing lists?

--
Best,
Nilesh

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.11
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

Subject: Re: Is usage of debian email address appropriate while contributing to other free software projects?

On 2026-02-08 10:10, Nilesh Patra wrote:

All of this is adding to some confusion and more often than not leading to commits with a mix
of addresses. I don't see any guideline for usage of debian address. Hence, I'd like to ask
is it fine to use @d.o address for all and any free software related work including address
on commits and even communicating on (other) mailing lists?

No idea, but I do this since the late 1990s and nobody ever complained.
I also use my debian.org Jabber id for all free software related stuff.

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.11
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

Subject: Re: Is usage of debian email address appropriate while contributing to other free software projects?

Hey Nilesh,

On Sun, Feb 08, 2026 at 10:10:32AM +0530, Nilesh Patra wrote:

While pushing commits to debian packages, I have my @d.o configured
in global gbp.conf and hence that address applies to my commits to
packaging contributions. However, I have another non @d.o address in >gitconfig.

When I push commits to repos in debian without gbp, it leads to
commits going with non d.o address. Furthermore, I have to double
think if I should use my @d.o when I am forwarding debian patches to
upstream projects v/s when I am not.

All of this is adding to some confusion and more often than not
leading to commits with a mix of addresses. I don't see any guideline
for usage of debian address. Hence, I'd like to ask is it fine to use
@d.o address for all and any free software related work including
address on commits and even communicating on (other) mailing lists?

It's absolutely fine, yes! Being a DD and being recognised as a Debian maintainer of a package (for example) can be an important part of
sharing in the FLOSS community. You're representing Debian and our
users, and that's a good thing.

I'm a bit mixed in how I do stuff personally - it depends on the
project as to which of my addresses I might use. That's as much random
history as anything, though. :-)

--
Steve McIntyre, Cambridge, UK. steve@einval.com "War does not determine who is right - only who is left."
-- Bertrand Russell

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.11
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

Subject: Re: Is usage of debian email address appropriate while contributing to other free software projects?

About the usage of @debian.org outside of Debian, I?d say go for it.
Le Sun, Feb 08, 2026 at 10:10:32AM +0530, Nilesh Patra a ‚crit :

When I push commits to repos in debian without gbp, it leads to commits going with non d.o address.
Furthermore, I have to double think if I should use my @d.o when I am forwarding debian
patches to upstream projects v/s when I am not.

I have a git setup here where the committer address is set based on the directory I?m under.
All of my Debian-related stuff is in sub-directories of ~/debian/, with examples being paths
like ~/debian/games/jazz2-native/jazz2-native.git or ~/debian/logging/metalog/metalog.git
In ~/.config/git/config I have:
[include]
path = env/default
[includeIf "gitdir:~/play.it/"]
path = env/playit
[includeIf "gitdir:~/debian/"]
path = env/debian
Then in ~/.config/git/env/debian I have:
[user]
email = vv221@debian.org
Other files in ~/.config/git/env/ are similar, setting other e-mail addresses based on context.
This is relying on base git features, no need for any kind of plugin or wrapper for this to work.


--- PyGate Linux v1.5.11
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

Subject: Re: Is usage of debian email address appropriate while contributing to other free software projects?

Hello,
Nilesh Patra [08/Feb 10:10am +0530] wrote:

Hi,

While pushing commits to debian packages, I have my @d.o configured in global gbp.conf and hence
that address applies to my commits to packaging contributions. However, I have another non @d.o
address in gitconfig.

When I push commits to repos in debian without gbp, it leads to commits going with non d.o address.
Furthermore, I have to double think if I should use my @d.o when I am forwarding debian
patches to upstream projects v/s when I am not.

All of this is adding to some confusion and more often than not leading to commits with a mix
of addresses. I don't see any guideline for usage of debian address. Hence, I'd like to ask
is it fine to use @d.o address for all and any free software related work including address
on commits and even communicating on (other) mailing lists?

That's allowed, we don't have any rules about this.
--
Sean Whitton


--- PyGate Linux v1.5.11
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

Subject: Re: Is usage of debian email address appropriate while contributing to other free software projects?

On Sun, Feb 08, 2026 at 10:10:32AM +0530, Nilesh Patra wrote:

I don't see any guideline for usage of debian address. Hence, I'd like to ask is it fine to use @d.o address for all and any free software related work including address
on commits and even communicating on (other) mailing lists?

That's alright, in my opinion.

My personal preference is keeping things separate though. It lowers the risk of making unintended associations with the Debian project that other Debian members find inappropriate.

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.11
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

Subject: Re: Is usage of debian email address appropriate while contributing to other free software projects?

Hi Nilesh,

When I push commits to repos in debian without gbp, it leads to
commits going with non d.o address. Furthermore, I have to double
think if I should use my @d.o when I am forwarding debian patches
to upstream projects v/s when I am not.

A while ago, I found that you can add this to ~/.gitconfig:
```
[includeIf "gitdir/i:**/debian/"]
path = ~/.gitconfig.debian
[includeIf "gitdir/i:**/pkg-perl/"]
path = ~/.gitconfig.debian
[includeIf "gitdir/i:**/salsa/"]
path = ~/.gitconfig.debian
```
Meaning any git repo that has /debian/, /pkg-perl/ or /salsa/ in
the base path, and then ~/.gitconfig.debian overrides user.email.
Hope this helps!
Alex
--
???????
??????? Alex Muntada <alexm@debian.org>
?????? Debian Developer ? log.alexm.org
???????


--- PyGate Linux v1.5.11
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Subject: Re: Is usage of debian email address appropriate while contributing to other free software projects?

One thing I would take into consideration. Some years ago I burned out
on Debian stuff and needed to take a break. Having a clean separation of concerns makes that much easier. Prior to that, I used to forward my
Debian mail to my normal mailbox, etc., etc.; after that, I set up a
separate, dedicated mailbox, and similar such sandboxing. It means that
if I need to "close the box" on Debian for a while, it's easier to do
so.

--
???????
??????? Jonathan Do
wland
??????? https://jmt
d.net
??????? Please do n
ot CC me, I am subscribed to the list.

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