Requests versus contributions (was: Re: [Zope] Re: Zope binary distributions)

Dieter Maurer dieter@handshake.de
Mon, 4 Feb 2002 19:24:28 +0100


Erik Stephens writes:
 > Dieter writes:
 > > Erik Stephens writes:
 > >  > Given the recent problems we're having with needing certain build
 > >  > options set and specific versions for Python, it would be nice if we
 > >  > could rely on a binary Zope distribution and not have to second guess
 > >  > that we are screwing up somewhere in the build process.  Am I missing
 > >  > the boat somewhere?
 > > 
 > > If I were Zope.com (or Zope.org), I would be quite angry about
 > > this request...
 > > 
 > >    What do you/your company pay that you request such a level of service?
 > >    I.e. a binary distribution specifically tailored to your needs?
 > 
 > ...
 > You got a
 > beef with me, then email me directly and spare the rest of us with
 > this waste of bandwidth.
I am not interested to get a beef with you :-)

  I just had the impression you were *request*ing a binary
  distribution *specially* tailored to *your* needs.

If that had been the case, then it would have been a wrong attitude
towards Zope and the Zope community:

  One gets Zope and lots of useful products somehow like a gift --
  without the need to pay for it or other obligations.
  However, the company and persons that made these gifts are not
  obliged to make further gifts on request.

  A right attitude would be (in my view) to check whether what
  one needs it already available, and if not, make it and
  contribute it to the community. This way, the community
  get stronger in a fast pace...

Let me make some personal notes towards an excuse:

  I skim hundreds of Zope related messages per day and reply to
  about a dozen. It's part of my contribution towards the
  Zope community, a thank-you for these great tools I got and
  use.

  Of course, there are other essential things in my life. Therefore,
  I must limit the time for my Zope contributions. I only have
  a few minutes per message, even if I respond.
  As a consequence, I sometimes miss the point or get it wrong
  or say wrong things.

If this was the case in my above cited post, I am sorry about this.


Dieter