Re: [Gdbheads] Let's resolve this quickly

[Bob Rossi]

On Sat, Mar 27, 2004 at 08:36:33PM -0500, Richard Stallman wrote:
>     Whats the point of Free Software if technical decisions get made behind
>     closed doors? I almost find that thought insulting. (no disrespect
>     intended)
> 
> The point of free software is that users have the freedom to run it,
> study it, share it and change it.  That is a matter of the license
> used for the package.
> 
> How the program is developed is a separate matter.  The free software
> movement is not particularly concerned with that.  If one person
> writes a program all by himself, and won't even listen to suggestions,
> it is still legitimate to use provided the license makes it free.  We
> can still recommend and use it, if that seems useful.  There is no
> conflict between such a development process and the principles of free
> software.
> 
> A GNU package maintainer is appointed by the GNU Project to work for
> the GNU Project.  He can do the work himself, or ask others to help.
> Either way, he works for the GNU project.  He does not work for the
> users, or even for those who help and contribute, so he has no
> obligation to discuss decisions with them.  It is often a good idea to
> do so, but that is up to him to decide.
> 
> It is often useful for a maintainer to explain decisions to other
> contributors, as part of a working relationship, but the maintainer
> does not owe them an explanation to their satisfaction.  Even when
> he feels it would be useful to explain, he may have no time.
> 
> The GDB maintainer is a group rather than one person, but that doesn't
> alter the situation.  At present, most of the group members are not
> active developers, but nothing says they couldn't be.
> 
> I will encourage the committee not to feel obligated to publish its
> deliberations or votes, so they can more easily reach decisions.
> After reaching a decision, they can choose to publish a statement of
> explanation when they think it will be helpful to do so.
> 
> 
> 
> that people outside the committee cannot put pressure on its members.
> 
> If this bothers you, you don't have to 

Did something happen to the rest of this email?

I have a feeling Richard Stallman was about to seriously insult me ...
either that, or he feel asleep at the keyboard.

No seriously, was this the end?

Bob Rossi