Mr. Icaza,
Have read your egomaniacal screed and must thank you for giving me a
good laugh this morning. Can't say as I have ever been told I was
without merit in area of computers and technology. I'll be sure to
look you up next April, assuming you are still with Novell then, and
you can tell me to my face. Perhaps by then you will have discovered
who you have been insulting. In the meantime, enjoy your job...
Since it is not my policy to argue with fools, that's all I will say along those lines.
On 6/5/05, Miguel de Icaza <miguel ximian com> wrote:
Hello,
Thanks for offering to become the new maintainer for Midnight
Commander. I do not want you to become the "Project Manager" for a
number of reasons:
* In open source, maintainers are chosen by their merits, before
today
I have never heard of you. It is a meritocracy,
you
have shown none so far.
Well I suppose since I have avoided your all encompassing, omnipotent
gaze - that I must be a figment of my own imagination! But your
display of ignorance in no way belittles my accomplishments in the
world of technology, up until my retirement at age 45 back in 2000. I
was making technological breakthroughs when you were still in Mexico
dreaming of being an American.
You are a legend in your own mind, and you fantasize if you think that
your recognition, or approval, means anything. I helped build the
infrastructure you now rely upon. You would not have a job, were it
not for me, and others like me - yet you think you are the innovator -
you are the rooster, taking credit for the sunrise, my boy.
* In open source, I have never seen a "project manager", this is
an
invention of the standard software industry. There is no
"project manager" for Linux, Samba, x-Windows.
Well you have now - write down this date! To be lectured by a "Open
Source sell-out" with a corporate title almost 40 characters long is
somewhat amusing. You should have saved your energy.
Can't understand
how a big corporate mogul like yourself would get so upset about us
*calling a thing by it's name*. The only title I care anything about
is "Retired" (at 45). I guess it's hard for you to imagine a person who is not
obsessed with constant ego stroking - but there are really some people
who have nothing more to prove. I am one of them.
* Maintainers are people with deep understanding of the codebase
and the language the code is written in, so they can make
decisions as to what is best for the project on technical
grounds.
Well I only know, have taught (college level), and
programmed in somewhere between 12 and 15 programming languages - so I
will not claim to be any kind of great technology genius like you.
Since I explained in detail why I was asked to coordinate the MC
Project if we took it on, I will not repeat myself, other than to say
that I rely on the programmers in the Krusader Project, who are Senior
Programmers at Zend, The PHP Company - they are also the authors
of Krusader, and pretty darn good programmers by any measure, probably
better than you; Shie is a
kernel programmer, who has ported Linux to the custom PowerPC SPC and
written a book about it <
Custom Linux: A Porting Guide> - published by the Linux Documentation Project - and Rafi is one of the main authors of the PHP
value added modules. I find that quite sufficient, and believe it or not, don't really care what
you think. That's why I didn't ask you....
I also think that the MC Project Developers would probably appreciate
being listened to instead of being dictated to, and to have their
opinions valued, instead of dismissed. Your note never mentions the MC
Developers at all. Why?
As an engineer, application designer, and programmer for 28 years, I have found that programmers
consistently make poor project managers, and would point to you as a
great example of this, as others have done. If you are such a great
Manager, why has the MC development effort been stalled for three
years?
Who knows, it might be a relief for the MC Developers to work with
someone who has been successful in *all aspects* of technology, not
*just* programming. To work with someone who respects what they do
instead of
letting them know they will never be as great as them. One
specifically asked for this in writing. What was he thinking?
But I forget - *you don't work with the developers, or the project*,
you're too busy with your day job. Are you saying you are going to
quit Novell and come and save Midnight Commander - of is this just caca
del pollo jactancia?
Perhaps you plan to get Novell programmers to fill the gap,
"suggesting" they help in their spare time. Having only worked with
Novell for about 19 years, I can only guess at their reaction to an
approach of that kind, should they find out. But how could that happen?
You may be a bright programmer, but you leave a lot to be desired when it come to being a human being.
* You exhibit the behavior of many people who have no ideas
whatsoever about the project but like big titles. "Public
Relations Coordinator", "the leadership", and "Project
Manager".
And you exhibit the behavior of a myopic, egocentric programmer who
thinks he knows everything and everyone else does not.
To date, any
"ideas about the project" would surpass the *vaporware* MC users have gotten.
Again, it is
so odd to be lectured by a Vice-President of etc., etc., etc., etc. at
The Novell Corporation about "big titles". To be told I "have no ideas
whatsoever about the project", what, are you also a psychic? Since you
are, then you know just how entertained I am going to be at what is in
your future. Yep! I'm a psychic too. But I keep my information to
myself, if it would appear arbitrary, abusive, and insulting -
especially if I don't know the person.....
Maybe you don't know who I am *because your experience is just too
recent*, or your education too incomplete. Not my problem - you're the one making a fool of himself; and doing it so well!
At least my note was friendly and did not verbally abuse people I do not know....
* MC should not be part of the "Krusader family", it is
an independent project, not part of a suite.
And
soon, it will be NO PROJECT... At least if it continues without some
competent leadership. Perhaps you or Pavel plan to quit your jobs?
Part of a suite?? I know English is a second language to you, but all
my notes are very clear on how we view the MC Project. Are you stoned
or stupid? "The Krusader family" refers to how people are treated in
our project. You know, the opposite of how you treat people.
The people in the Krusader Project are all friends, and we *act like
it*. We do not have the strife and drama that you seem to
enjoy. People on our team are happy. Can you say that? Our users are
happy. Can you say that? We are receiving great product reviews and
great feedback from our users and distro makers. Can you say that?
We are referring to a people family, NOT a product family... Comprende?
We keep our promises and don't walk away from half-done projects.
Can
you say that? We don't betray and lay off the people who helped us get
ahead so we can make more money. Can you say that? We are driven by a
quest for excellence, not ego. Can
you say that? Our developers always come first. Can you say that? When
you are developer in our group, you are *treated like family* because
we *really* care. Can you say that? People are not just objects to be
used,
mere things, to us. Can you say that? No, you can not say that.....
For all you know, the person you so arrogantly insult could have a
relationship with your employer that goes back decades. Why he could
be a joint patet holder with your employer, or have a brother on the
Board of Directors; but you would have checked on this before insulting
a stranger in a public forum, wouldn't you?? I mean. you're not a
FOOL, are you?
And the people who really know me will be rolling on the floor laughing
at you if they see your ugly note, with insult after insult,
confidently delivered. Or when someone emails them a copy..... But who
would do that? Is there *anyone* who would like to see you get the
blunt end of something big right up the most delicate part of your
career? Probably not. You have probably only made friends throughout
your short career and have nothing to worry about. Judging from this
note to me, a complete stranger to you, I would say you're in real good
shape....
* I dislike people who misspell: "Krusader" and "Krew".
I dislike people who are self-righteous, self-promoting, abusive,
petty, small minded, jerks. Guess that means we won't be going out for
drinks later....
* Tell the "Leadership" that thanks, but no thanks.
If you want to tell them, tell them yourself. I'm not your errand boy.
As I stated previously, if we have problems in Midnight Commander, I
will step in as its maintainer or suggest someone actively involved (or
which has been actively involved in the past) to do so.
If
you have problems??????? Have you been on another planet? Oh, I
forget, you have been in your "corporate ivory tower". Our kind offer
of help was in response to the friendly *invitation* of your current
Maintainer, and the *posted messages* of your developers, and your
users. Perhaps you should talk to Pavel sometime, he welcomed and
encouraged our offer. Alternatively, you could read the MC Mailing Lists.
Our kind offer of help was invited by the current Maintainer, who
now has a problem on his hands, even larger than his previous problem.
You see, your insults and abuse has earned you a new "fan", and the
first thing I am going to do as your newest "buddy", is get out of your
way so you can show the world how you step in and save the day with
your mighty power. Use it quick, because a fool and his power is soon
parted, or was that a fool and his money? No matter same thing, isn't
it?
Accordingly, in consideration of Mr. Icaza's very ugly letter, it is
clear that doing anything to assist or improve anything that might
positively reflect on Mr. Icaza is something we would now avoid at all
costs. Some people deserve all they earn, and I promise I will do
everything I can to see you get what you deserve. You might just be
surprised how good at it someone without merit or skill can be.
We appreciate Pavel's friendly encouragement, and Leonard's openminded
and professional courtesy. Leonard, we truly sympathize and would like
to help, the door is always open; but there are just some people whose
work is better left to decay, and Mr. Icaza has shown us our mistake in
thinking MC was worth the significant erffort we were willing to put
into it. There's always Worker.
Roland must be Mr. Icaza's protege, just slinging abuse and saying no
before the offer is even on the table; but he had already been
identified as a "cry baby" and had no future with the Krew; mainly due
to his private notes to our Marketing Manager blasting the MC Project
and it's Maintainers. Making a change is one thing, betraying your own
team and backbiting is another. Roland and Mr. Icaza should work well
together.
The rudeness of Roland, and the immature, trailer trash, abusivness of
Mr. Icaza are duly noted. I'm sure the folks at Novell will be
impressed with the way in which their Vice President has handled this
situation. Representing a major corporation is a big responsibility, a
24/7 responsibility, and I am sure your representation of them in this
matter will not go overlooked, or unrewarded considering Novell's
objective of successfully gaining positive "mindshare" in the Open
Source Community. With Mr. Icaza's representations style, we can all
be sure a big impression will be made.... Remember what they were
saying in the Annual Report, and those handouts. You did 'em proud!
So you see, Mr. Icaza's note, and the follow up:
The question is whether he can execute successfully on those, and every
bit of his email rubbed me in the wrong way. Seen this pattern too many
times in the past to recognize it.
Really leave no decision
to be made on my part. Will Mr. Icaza ever know if I "can execute
successfully"? Only time will tell, but I will say he will definitely
know if the answer is yes! How will he know? Well it *won't* be from
an ugly letter from a stranger, I will tell you that much.
As of 1800hrs, 5 June 2005, the Krusader Krew's offer of assistance to the Midnight Commander Project is withdrawn.
We would like to apologize to the MC List for even suggesting you had a
problem, dispite what your Maintainers, Developers, and Users may say.
Mr. Icaza has set us straight and we honestly meant no harm with our ,
we realize now, foolish offer of aide.
You can be sure that in future, should you need assistance or face
difficulty, that we will not trouble you further with offers of
generous help and unqualified support.
Sincerely,
W. T. "Fudoki" Wilkinson
Public Relations Coordinator
The Krusader Krew
Miguel.
