Re: Discussing issues

Havoc Pennington <[email protected]> wrote:

> It seems like a lot of this conflict comes from some people
> assuming XFree86 was more or less a porting project, and others
> assuming it was "the" X project including driving new features. 

Yes, I think that is clear to me now also. However one thing that I think 
needs to be said, is that XFree86 really is "the" X project for Linux, 
FreeBSD, OpenBSD and other Open Source and free software platforms. Sure, 
someone can build their own X server and replace XFree86, but at the end 
of the day this is simply not practical. XFree86 and the extensions in 
XFree86 are now so entrenched in the Open Source and free software 
community (especially all the distros out there), that the only option is 
really to extend XFree86 and not try to replace it.

Which really means that XFree86 has transitioned from being just a 
porting project to really being "the" X implementation for all Open 
Source and free software platforms. With that comes the responsibility of 
managing X technologies effectively for those platforms. You can argue 
that you don't think XFree86 should be doing that, but I don't think you 
can argue against the fact that XFree86 really is the driving force for X 
technologies on Open Source and free software platforms.

Recognising that it is the driving force for those platforms is an 
important step to making progress. Forget gonvernance issues. Focus on 
the real issue at hand which is trying to streamline the current 
processes so that technologies that rely on X can work effectively within 
the XFree86 community and get stuff done.

And finally I agree with Mike Harris. Everyone needs to forget the past 
and look to the future. 

Regards,

---
Kendall Bennett
Chief Executive Officer
SciTech Software, Inc.
Phone: (530) 894 8400
http://www.scitechsoft.com

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