[The Geek]

Originally Posted by Boofo

I don't need to chill, you do. You try to come across as this kind, caring individual that wants to give so much to the org when in reality, you are looking to make money off of it. No matter how you color it, you belittle those that don't write major hacks, either because they don't have the knowledge and skill yet, or because they are new and haven't had enough time to do something of that caliber. There are those hear that DO some major hacks and they are still releasing them for free. Andreas and the Journal Hack comes to mind.

And it seems that there are more against the idea of this thread than are for it. That should tell you something.

Thanks Boofo - I come across as kind and caring because I am while I feel you come across as a grumpy cynical curmudgeon which you are. Now enough of the name calling lets get some facts straight.

I gave (and continue give) to .org because I love to code and even more love to know I have helped someone get a bit more from their site. If you count up my time I have given here in FOC work and time spent supporting that code, it could rival the time that some of the Mods around here spend on the site. That isn't a nod at mods, thats to try and say that I have (and continue to do so) given a lot of time around than a lot of other contributors in the past year (which you seem to forget).

Furthermore, your accusation that all I am trying to do is make money off .org is about as off mark as you can get. I make very good money in my full time job which has always allowed me to give away my free time for free. Now however all I ask is that if you chose to take advantage of that time - you pitch a bit in. I charge piss all for my work and therefore I make next to nothing for it and I plan to keep it that way. In fact, I have given over 50% of what I have grossed so far into sponsoring OTHER vb resource sites because I felt it was giving back to the community. If the .10p an hour is me being greedy then call me Uncle Scrooge.

I have never belittled anyone that has given time to the community - in fact I started this thread because your 'loving, caring, supportive community' was belittling each other without so much of a word from you. What I have tried to do in the continuing discussion is to put things in perspective which you continuously distort. Since your mission seems only to paint me as some mean, greedy leech it suits your purpose quite well however it really makes me question the meaning of the word 'moderator'.

Regardless I am well past caring how you try to muddy the discussion (and facts), from what I have witnessed here, there is a actually a very loud voice for those that would find benefit for a way to become more informed about commercial systems.

I suggested a poll awhile back - why not run it? Lets see how many of those that do give to the community actually vote that they are totally against being informed of commercial solutions (unlikely). Rather lets see how many non givers are totally against the imaginary threat of losing their 'endless well of free work' (which is as paranoid as it is implausible). The reality is that most are at worse apathetic to it, but in all reality they feel it may be of some benefit. Only those with over active imaginations think that everyone will stop making FOC work.

See, there seems to be this fear that if there is an avenue for commercial information that suddenly everyone is going to charge for their work. The theme seems to be 'ignorance will keep them working for nothing'. That isn't very community spirit. I would think we would encourage those that have put in the effort to grow to a point where they can be commercially rewarded for all their hard work - not kept in the dark so you can continue to get free stuff off of them.

People also seem to forget 1 key aspect of providing commercial information here: You don't have to view it. You don't have to buy it. You can pretend its not even there. Therefore it doesn't even affect you so why be so hell bent for leather in order to take the option from those that want it?

Lets face it, this thread was started in response to how .orgs community spirit is (and there is no commercial info section here now!). Maybe with the introduction of a commercial information section of the site - those that download free work will be that much more appreciative to those that give their time for free.

Regardless, its time we all move forward - we all keep bantering back and forth and now its turned into a discussion with mostly the same people arguing their viewpoints and the only constructive proposals seem to be those who are interested in exploring additional avenues.

Just do the poll, lets see the results and lets then put the results in perspective. Then you can stick it to me and say I told you so (which I am sure you will do in a number of ways). Would be interesting if you made it so the participants were those that has released at least 1 modification here - but then I'm sure that wouldn't work would it?