[wplug] Am I a jerk?

Bryon Gill bgtrio at yahoo.com
Tue Aug 31 14:57:22 EDT 2004


I got a nice thank you email from the guy who made Tuxpaint.

I think the bottom line is that people who write code for free are often not the 
most socially gracious people,  and I guess I'd prefer that they write more code 
rather than spend time thanking me anyway.

That will be $.02 please.
Bryon

On Tue, 31 Aug 2004, Bill Moran wrote:

> "Vanco, Don" <don.vanco at agilysys.com> wrote:
>
>> Now at least a couple of you have already hit reply just based on the
>> sender and subject... but let me get to my point.
>>
>> 	I've been a big proponent of open systems and Open Source
>> software for quite some time - long enough that it's now been my
>> full-time profession for over 5 years.
>>
>> 	I have tried, in whatever ways feasible, to support the
>> advancement of Open Source - beta testing primarily (as I am not a
>> hacker) but also, in a few cases, with funding.  Good ol' cash.
>>
>> 	Over the last few weeks I have made several contributions to
>> various software developers (individuals - not groups or projects) - in
>> one case, what I consider to be a fairly significant amount (because I
>> really, really like the package).  Typically via some means like Amazon
>> or PayPal.
>>
>> 	My point: to date NONE of them have ever said "Thank You".
>>
>> 	Is this being petty?  Should I just take solace in knowing that
>> I'm insuring that my favorite software remains vital?
>>
>>
>> 	Perhaps I'm just laying my own expectations on others - but I
>> know that if it were me (and some anonymous stranger insured that I'd be
>> in pizza and beer for a couple more weeks) I would at least take the
>> time to fire off a quick email with "Thanks".
>
> I haven't noticed this myself ... I've always gotten some sort of thank
> you any time I've put forth money.  I can't blame you for being upset at
> never getting a thank you.  Perhaps I've just been fortunate as to who
> I've donated to.
>
> On the flip side, it seems like a lot of quality hackers are rude.  Not
> intentionally rude, but just so engrossed in their work that they easily
> forget simple curtesies like "thank you".
>
> In the case of that, I would consider the provision of the software itself
> as a thank you.  If you ask a fellow to improve the UI on a program and
> give him $xxx to do so, and the UI improves ... take that as thank you
> enough.  Sure, it's not polite, but it's better than letting it upset you.
>
> I don't think you're a jerk.  And let me just say, as one user who has
> often benefitted from the generosity of others, thank you for supporting
> Open Source!
>
> --
> Bill Moran
> Potential Technologies
> http://www.potentialtech.com
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