It sounds like we are talking about different spaces, I was talking about Linux distros (specifically Debian). Even before I started going to the conference there was some feel of community.
Perhaps the Linux community is larger than Debian or more subject to churn as people change employers and thus change which part of Linux they work on. Or maybe as you say attending the conferences is a bit part of community feeling.
I'm surprised you read LKML, the volume is enough to put anyone off. If you are still interested in reading some of it, these days there is lore+lei to filter down the volume just to your personal interests.
Perhaps the Linux community is larger than Debian or more subject to churn as people change employers and thus change which part of Linux they work on. Or maybe as you say attending the conferences is a bit part of community feeling.
I'm surprised you read LKML, the volume is enough to put anyone off. If you are still interested in reading some of it, these days there is lore+lei to filter down the volume just to your personal interests.
https://lwn.net/Articles/878205/