jwhitman@STL-06SIMA.ARMY.MIL (Jerry Whitman) (11/13/90)
I have noticed a very disturbing trend over the past few months. When uxe/ux1 has not archived the latest edition of Fred Fish disks within 48 hours of their being announced several people howl and carp because they are yet available. When xanth/abcfd20 is not current to the last minute with the c.s.a binaries & sources or the contents of the incoming/amiga gets a little unwieldy folks seem quick to grumble and groan. When the Aquarium files or FishXref/FishCon files fail to reflect the last 24 hour old release of the Fred Fish Disks the whimpers begin to surface. When the FTP site list is not updated on the day someone expected it to be you see the requests of 'would SOMEONE please update the FTP list'. I could list several other examples, but you have all seen them so there is no real need. [BEGIN SOAP BOX MODE]: HEY!! Wake up folks. All of these fine services are being done by people who DO HAVE OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES. Not a one of us gets any tangible benefit from doing these various 'group services'. I for one am amazed that some of these folks can find the time to do what they do. I know in many cases it is a matter of a lot of personal time being invested in the effort. These folks are a conscientious lot, and as such are prone to think they probably owe their employers a reasonable portion of the work day. That usually does not leave much spare time to do the optional things like updating your favorite Amiga watering hole. The net result is that, unlike the TV world, all the problems of the globe do not get resolved between three commercials! Interestingly, it seems that those whose names are seen on the hit parade of complainers are curiously missing from the list of those who are making some contribution to the Amiga community. The moral of the story is... "If you aren't rowing or bailing, then quit rocking the boat". BTW. Lest this whole thing seem self-serving let me point out that I realize that the FishXref and FishCon are very small contributions when measured against most of the other efforts we have come to take for granted. It has, however, made me acutely aware of the level of effort that many are putting into our community of Amigoids. My hat is off to them all. I would sure hate to see some of our giants lay down the flag because a few folks who are too lazy to do what they are capable of resort to unjust criticism of those who are making the effort. [END SOAP BOX MODE]: Give 'em your hand, not your lip. Regards, Jerry Whitman Conversely, I have not seen very much contribution to the Amiga community that bears the names of those of you who are so quick to cry 'GIMME & do it quickly'.