Hector Martin, the project lead for Asahi Linux, has announced his resignation, citing burnout and increasing pressures from the Linux community. In a candid post on his site, Martin discussed his journey in hardware hacking and the challenges of developing Linux for Apple’s M1 silicon. While initially met with enthusiasm and support, he faced mounting user demands for features like Thunderbolt support and CPU temperature monitoring, which, he claims, led to a decline in donations.
Martin’s experience was further complicated by personal issues, including harassment, which hindered his ability to focus on the project. He also highlighted ongoing debates regarding the integration of Rust code into the Linux kernel, which he believes is essential for modern hardware development. As he steps down, Martin reflects on the journey and the struggles faced in merging two complex worlds.