🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <DEVEN.90Mar8201819@netserv2.rpi.edu> deven@rpi.edu (Deven T. Corzine) writes:
:
:Ah, you want a "good old boys" network.  How quaint.  If you're not a
:lodge member, clearly you couldn't possibly have any idea what you're
:talking about.

If it'll stop this inane flaming, I nominate Deven for the old boys
network. Good, we're all on equal footing now, let's get back to
business.

:Dave> And, yes, >I< have software on a couple Fish disks. How about
:Dave> you?
:
:Not yet.  Getting software on a Fish disk is hardly a glorious
:accomplishment, anyhow.  Makes me feel a little like old Orson Wells
:mumbling about no wine before its time.  But I am disinclined to
:release poor code.

Absolutely agree. Strangely enough, there's nothing in the news.announce.
newusers guidelines that says anything about Fish disk releases being
a prerequistie to posting.

:For example, a few days ago, I wrote a GLP (grungy
:little program) to read in a library and split it into object files. 

Yep. I wrote essentially the same program last month, and didn't
send mine to a Fish disk, either, for the same reason (it was a
grungy hack). If you ask me, there's already too many grungy
hacks on Fish disks (along with, I admit, a lot of really superb
software).

As to the basic issue: while it's true that it's in good form to
be appreciative of people's efforts in the way of free software,
some go too far with this. There's no reason in the world not to
discuss both the good *and* the bad points of software, whether it's
a nobly donated effort or not. Critiques are an important part of
the design/implement/release/enhance cycle (or should be). See
Edsger Dijkstra's classic ego-less programming paper. It's not doing
these (admittedly noble) authors any favors to stick up for their
ego's by tyring to suppress all critiques.
	Doug
-- 
Doug Merritt		{pyramid,apple}!xdos!doug
Member, Crusaders for a Better Tomorrow		Professional Wildeyed Visionary