> I'm afraid your rants and threats won't do
> much good there though.

Great.  Shoot the messenger.  (btw, No one is ranting or
threatening.  Just being lucid and assertive. IMHO.)

I have noticed a lot of drama and negativity on this list too. 
I don't have experience with other free software projects so I
don't know whether this is the case everywhere.

It does seem there is a tendency in the X world to demonize
people.  In some cases that's warranted; I have run across more
than one roguish character (I am NOT talking about anyone who
is reading this list.).  But in the general case I think it is
better to give people the benefit of the doubt.  Especially on
what is ostensibly a free software project (though many
contributors are fortunate enough to be compensated for their
expertise).  I find that people tend to live up or live down to
your expectations.  So if you want contributions you should
encourage contributions.  (And I'm not talking about
proclaiming "We want contributions."  None of us are naive; we
all know it's a little more subtle than that.)

It is true that some of these contributions might break things.
 Welcome to the real world.  There are formal and informal
means of hedging this risk.


I know, I know, who is this guy.  I first contributed to
XFree86 shortly after the crust of the earth cooled.  That
working for free landed me a job, though one of the conditions
of my employment was that I stop contributing to XFree86.  As I
have not been encumbered by employment for a very long time
now, I guess I could start contributing again.  I would
certainly like to be seen as a member of the community,
positive contributor, etc.  But I don't know, there just seems
to be way too much attitude for my taste right now.  And I also
think I am too old to work for free.  Certainly too hungry :).

I guess what I am saying is I think XFree86 has a tremendous
opportunity here.  And I for one will be watching to see the
outcome.  I send my best wishes to all parties.

=====
-- 
Craig Groeschel  >ladder91 at yahoo dot com<  AT '00
Tread lightly.  Leave no trace.  Never forget.
"Fuel is a resource; people aren't." Dennis Bakke
When replying, please do not quote my entire message.

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