Re: [Gnu-arch-users] [ANNOUNCE] tlator-0.1 initial release

[MJ Ray]

On 2003-09-17 14:07:13 +0100 Mark A. Flacy <address@hidden> wrote:
> I see.  You wanted me to say "Thank you for the code that I cannot 
> compile
> upon my system.  Thank you for not providing any information in the 
> code to
[...]
> people's minds (not my own) that Open Source software is written by
> amateurs for amateurs."
> Yes, I can do that.

I am unhappy about this trolling.  Even though we have wildly 
different views on a range of topics, this list is normally civil.

Some of this thread seems to be missing the point: has Mark tried 
upgrading to avoid the bug in old versions of Make?  After all, the 
author is trying to follow best practice in the use of Make and using 
auto* tools would not cure a buggy Make.  What would auto* tools give 
to it that writing a good README wouldn't?

Other parts just seem to be ill-phrased.  Have you tried sending bug 
reports rather than flaming on this list?  With what response?  If the 
software is no use to you and you can't be bothered to help in any 
way, don't use it.  You're still not much worse off than you were 
before.

Finally, two points on the meaning of words: in a way, we are amateurs 
in the original sense. We still love to do this and aren't just 
following the money (ObReminder: send Tom Lord money if you like 
tla.).  And stuff "Open Source" - I want Free Software, not things I 
can't use because of patents ;-)

--
MJR/slef     My Opinion Only and possibly not of any group I know.