From owner-freebsd-advocacy Thu Mar 25 7:18:11 1999 Delivered-To: freebsd-advocacy@freebsd.org Received: from iquest3.iquest.net (iquest3.iquest.net [209.43.20.203]) by hub.freebsd.org (Postfix) with SMTP id D4E85150AA for ; Thu, 25 Mar 1999 07:18:10 -0800 (PST) (envelope-from toor@dyson.iquest.net) Received: (qmail 13768 invoked from network); 25 Mar 1999 15:17:49 -0000 Received: from dyson.iquest.net (198.70.144.127) by iquest3.iquest.net with SMTP; 25 Mar 1999 15:17:49 -0000 Received: (from root@localhost) by dyson.iquest.net (8.9.1/8.9.1) id KAA06977; Thu, 25 Mar 1999 10:17:47 -0500 (EST) From: "John S. Dyson" Message-Id: <199903251517.KAA06977@dyson.iquest.net> Subject: Re: FreeBSD emulation for linux In-Reply-To: <36FA4F41.8D9FB5FF@thuntek.net> from Donald Wilde at "Mar 25, 99 07:59:13 am" To: dwilde1@thuntek.net (Donald Wilde) Date: Thu, 25 Mar 1999 10:17:47 -0500 (EST) Cc: dyson@iquest.net, advocacy@FreeBSD.ORG X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.4ME+ PL32 (25)] MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Sender: owner-freebsd-advocacy@FreeBSD.ORG Precedence: bulk X-Loop: FreeBSD.ORG > > I'll make missteps, too, John, so feel free to criticize. > It is *easier* to criticise in hindsight. It is harder to properly plan ahead. The key to any such adventure is to understand ones own initial limitations, and not to *excessively* extend oneself. A careful strategy, with the understanding of where learning is needed is key. Some of the recent technical mistakes have been made because of people not knowing their limitations, and fear of using existing resources (probably due to ego problems.) If resources are needed, then grab them!!! FreeBSD is far beyond where cowboy behavior is acceptable, both in technical and marketing aspects. Too many people have invested alot into the product for it to be "frittered" away. The codebase is a legacy, and those who take responsibility for pieces of it should consider the control of that legacy as solemn. Hacking should be in the past, and cowboy marketing should also be taken as a learning experience. The technical base is pretty good (with bugfixes and minor restructuring initially seriously being needed.) Hacking it should require a deep understanding, with NO exceptions. The marketing position is much weaker (relative to the technical aspects), and that is a major place for FreeBSD growth. You are on the leading edge in that effort, and is an ideal place for personal growth also. > > The support is about to grow. Stay tuned! > Again, excellent. NOT ONLY do I wish you and FreeBSD the best, but have great interest and caring about it. My disappointments have been a result of experience, and understanding the history of FreeBSD and many previous projects. History continues to repeat itself, and breaking that very vicious cycle is the key to FreeBSD's expanding (rather than contracting.) Learn from previous mistakes (both other projects, and FreeBSD's own.) I strongly feel that you have a great chance of success. John To Unsubscribe: send mail to majordomo@FreeBSD.org with "unsubscribe freebsd-advocacy" in the body of the message