Hi folks,
in the past (well, I guess seven to eight) years I've been trying to
deliver my share for maintaining a certain amount of steadiness, far-
sightedness in FlightGear development. I did this by taking part in
discussions on this list, by getting involved into improving and
maintaining documentation, especially by preparing for more realistic
Scenery and, probably most important, by trying to make different
involved people (projects) talk to each other.
The thrill that made me spending a huge amount of time has been the
obsession of "doing things right" in FlightGear.
Unfortunately in recent history this idea is suffering more and more
from the way how development of the project happens (or does _not_
happen ....) - the whole process looks more and more strange (to me) -
and last but not least from the tone that people use while desperately
trying to justify their point of view (some postings really look like
an accumulation of bad jokes).
Many of the recent discussions on this list had been turned into
flaming after just one or two postings (or right from the beginning)
because few people simply are unaware that there _are_ limits of good
taste in interaction and communication. Even showing their own
behaviour in a mirror - a trick that typically has much effect -
doesn't make these people realize how much they hurt others and the
whole project, especially its reputation.
What _really_ makes me feel irritated: Almost nobody cares any more.
With only a few notable exceptions, almost everybody who earlier felt a
certain responsibility for the wealth of FlightGear and who would have
been complaining in such cases has left the scene .... and newcomers
are likely to feel pissed right from the beginning, so they head for
other projects and start contributing there.
Does anybody still wonder why there are so few contributors left at
FlightGear !?
So, to prevent my nerves from wearing thin, I've decided to agree on
being such an idealistic dinosaur who doesn't fit into the current
world (better: the current fight) of FlightGear development any more
and as a consequence to cut my presence on FlightGear's public
communication platforms. I'm convinced that several people will be very
delighted to see this happen, some probably will feel a bit sad, I
guess the majority doesn't care at all - as usual.
It certainly will make Curt happy because he doesn't risk getting more
grey hair :-))
With a bit of luck this move will be to the overall benefit of the
project .... Just in case this benefit should not instantiate, the
move will at least make it easier to spot the knob that you have to
turn in order to improve the current state of affairs ....
I won't drop out of the whole FlightGear idea, I won't stop pouring
effort into the side project(s) that I'm involved in (especially
related to OSGeo and the Custom Scenery Project), I won't drop my
involvement in promoting the peaceful use of FlightGear on future
LinuxTag exhibitions or on other shows. I just aim at saving my limited
resources for tasks where I see the chance of reasonable progress and
collaboration taking place.
Just in case there's still something you'd like to discuss or share
with me, don't hesitate to contact me privately.
WARNING: I might return to this list if the general tone starts getting
better one day :-)
Regards,
Martin.
--
Unix _IS_ user friendly - it's just selective about who its friends are !
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