added a description of the sign-off procedure

diff --git a/README b/README
index 6f8077a..05bc2d7 100644 (file)
--- a/README
+++ b/README
@@ -233,5 +233,46 @@ A: http://www.barrelfish.org/
    http://wiki.barrelfish.org/
 
 Q: Can I contribute?
-A: We'd certainly like to hear from you. Please send us mail.
+A: We'd certainly like to hear from you. Feel free to send pateches (or even
+   git merge requests) to the Barrelfish mailing list.
 
+   To keep track of contributions to Barrelfish, we use a sign-off procedure
+   similar to the Linux kernel:
+
+   The sign-off is a simple line at the end of the explanation for the patch,
+   which certifies that you wrote it or otherwise have the right to pass it on
+   as an open-source patch.  The rules are pretty simple: if you can certify
+   the below:
+
+        Developer's Certificate of Origin 1.1
+
+        By making a contribution to this project, I certify that:
+
+        (a) The contribution was created in whole or in part by me and I
+            have the right to submit it under the open source license
+            indicated in the file; or
+
+        (b) The contribution is based upon previous work that, to the best
+            of my knowledge, is covered under an appropriate open source
+            license and I have the right under that license to submit that
+            work with modifications, whether created in whole or in part
+            by me, under the same open source license (unless I am
+            permitted to submit under a different license), as indicated
+            in the file; or
+
+        (c) The contribution was provided directly to me by some other
+            person who certified (a), (b) or (c) and I have not modified
+            it.
+
+        (d) I understand and agree that this project and the contribution
+            are public and that a record of the contribution (including all
+            personal information I submit with it, including my sign-off) is
+            maintained indefinitely and may be redistributed consistent with
+            this project or the open source license(s) involved.
+
+   then you just add a line saying
+
+        Signed-off-by: Random J Developer <random@developer.example.org>
+
+   Note that git has support for adding such a message in the end of the commit
+   log message.