Documentation: update the devices.txt documentation

Alan is no longer maintaining this list through the Linux assigned
numbers authority. Make it a collective document by referring to
"the maintainers" in plural throughout, and naming the chardev and
block layer maintainers in particular as parties of involvement.
Cut down and remove some sections that pertained to the process of
maintaining the list at lanana.org and contacting Alan directly.

Make it clear that this document, in the kernel, is the master
document.

Also move paragraphs around so as to emphasize dynamic major number
allocation.

Remove paragraph on 2.6 deprecation, that tag no longer appears
anywhere in the file.

Cc: Jonathan Corbet <corbet@lwn.net>
Cc: Linus Torvalds <torvalds@linux-foundation.org>
Cc: Alan Cox <alan@linux.intel.com>
Cc: Arnd Bergmann <arnd@arndb.de>
Cc: Jens Axboe <axboe@kernel.dk>
Signed-off-by: Linus Walleij <linus.walleij@linaro.org>
Signed-off-by: Greg Kroah-Hartman <gregkh@linuxfoundation.org>

1 files changed, 25 insertions, 55 deletions

diff --git a/Documentation/devices.txt b/Documentation/devices.txt
index 0a3588a9798d..4035eca87144 100644
--- a/Documentation/devices.txt
+++ b/Documentation/devices.txt
@@ -1,20 +1,17 @@
 
-		    LINUX ALLOCATED DEVICES (2.6+ version)
-
-	     Maintained by Alan Cox <device@lanana.org>
-
-		      Last revised: 6th April 2009
+		    LINUX ALLOCATED DEVICES (4.x+ version)
 
 This list is the Linux Device List, the official registry of allocated
 device numbers and /dev directory nodes for the Linux operating
 system.
 
-The latest version of this list is available from
-http://www.lanana.org/docs/device-list/ or
-ftp://ftp.kernel.org/pub/linux/docs/device-list/.  This version may be
-newer than the one distributed with the Linux kernel.
-
-The LaTeX version of this document is no longer maintained.
+The LaTeX version of this document is no longer maintained, nor is
+the document that used to reside at lanana.org.  This version in the
+mainline Linux kernel is the master document.  Updates shall be sent
+as patches to the kernel maintainers (see the SubmittingPatches document).
+Specifically explore the sections titled "CHAR and MISC DRIVERS", and
+"BLOCK LAYER" in the MAINTAINERS file to find the right maintainers
+to involve for character and block devices.
 
 This document is included by reference into the Filesystem Hierarchy
 Standard (FHS).	 The FHS is available from http://www.pathname.com/fhs/.
@@ -23,60 +20,33 @@ Allocations marked (68k/Amiga) apply to Linux/68k on the Amiga
 platform only.	Allocations marked (68k/Atari) apply to Linux/68k on
 the Atari platform only.
 
-The symbol {2.6} means the allocation is obsolete and scheduled for
-removal once kernel version 2.6 (or equivalent) is released. Some of these
-allocations have already been removed.
-
-This document is in the public domain.	The author requests, however,
+This document is in the public domain.	The authors requests, however,
 that semantically altered versions are not distributed without
-permission of the author, assuming the author can be contacted without
+permission of the authors, assuming the authors can be contacted without
 an unreasonable effort.
 
-In particular, please don't sent patches for this list to Linus, at
-least not without contacting me first.
-
-I do not have any information about these devices beyond what appears
-on this list.  Any such information requests will be deleted without
-reply.
-
 
 	  **** DEVICE DRIVERS AUTHORS PLEASE READ THIS ****
 
-To have a major number allocated, or a minor number in situations
-where that applies (e.g. busmice), please contact me with the
-appropriate device information.	 Also, if you have additional
-information regarding any of the devices listed below, or if I have
-made a mistake, I would greatly appreciate a note.
-
-I do, however, make a few requests about the nature of your report.
-This is necessary for me to be able to keep this list up to date and
-correct in a timely manner.  First of all, *please* send it to the
-correct address... <device@lanana.org>.  I receive hundreds of email
-messages a day, so mail sent to other addresses may very well get lost
-in the avalanche.  Please put in a descriptive subject, so I can find
-your mail again should I need to.  Too many people send me email
-saying just "device number request" in the subject.
-
-Second, please include a description of the device *in the same format
-as this list*.	The reason for this is that it is the only way I have
-found to ensure I have all the requisite information to publish your
-device and avoid conflicts.
+Linux now has extensive support for dynamic allocation of device numbering
+and can use sysfs and udev (systemd) to handle the naming needs. There are
+still some exceptions in the serial and boot device area. Before asking
+for a device number make sure you actually need one.
 
-Third, please don't assume that the distributed version of the list is
-up to date.  Due to the number of registrations I have to maintain it
-in "batch mode", so there is likely additional registrations that
-haven't been listed yet.
+To have a major number allocated, or a minor number in situations
+where that applies (e.g. busmice), please submit a patch and send to
+the authors as indicated above.
 
-Fourth, remember that Linux now has extensive support for dynamic allocation
-of device numbering and can use sysfs and udev to handle the naming needs.
-There are still some exceptions in the serial and boot device area. Before
-asking for a device number make sure you actually need one.
+Keep the description of the device *in the same format
+as this list*.	The reason for this is that it is the only way we have
+found to ensure we have all the requisite information to publish your
+device and avoid conflicts.
 
-Finally, sometimes I have to play "namespace police."  Please don't be
-offended.  I often get submissions for /dev names that would be bound
-to cause conflicts down the road.  I am trying to avoid getting in a
+Finally, sometimes we have to play "namespace police."  Please don't be
+offended.  We often get submissions for /dev names that would be bound
+to cause conflicts down the road.  We are trying to avoid getting in a
 situation where we would have to suffer an incompatible forward
-change.  Therefore, please consult with me *before* you make your
+change.  Therefore, please consult with us *before* you make your
 device names and numbers in any way public, at least to the point
 where it would be at all difficult to get them changed.