16-Sep-86 17:35:47-MDT,2352;000000000011 Return-Path: Received: from AMSAA by SIMTEL20.ARPA with TCP; Tue 16 Sep 86 17:35:23-MDT Date: Tue, 16 Sep 86 15:36:25 EDT From: David Towson (SECAD) To: info-cpm@AMSAA.ARPA Subject: Let's "mellow out" a bit! Fellow CP/Mers - I have been reading with interest but also with growing concern the exchange of messages between Jay Sage and Rick Conn concerning Rick's adoption of the ZAS assembler as a "standard" for his further develop- ment of ZCPR and related software. The "discussion" started off a bit on the "edgy" side, but it is now rapidly approaching nasty. This is a real shame, because Jay is generally raising reasonable questions of interest to many of us, and I for one would like to hear the answers. But having witnessed one p___ing contest on this list already (it was about a modem program, a couple years ago), I definitely don't want to see that happen again. In my opinion, Rick Conn DOESN'T OWE US ANYTHING! He has created and donated free of cost an ENORMOUS software suite that takes about 5 megabytes of storage in the archive. This is the result of several years of work, and it still boggles me that Rick has GIVEN IT AWAY. Just reading through the pounds of well written documentation seems to take forever! So if Rick wants to standardize on the ZAS assembler (or COBOL, or SNAFU, or whatever), it's entirely his business, and I don't think we have any RIGHTS in the matter. Rick may possibly do some things that will cut off part of the community who are currently enjoying his efforts, and that will be sad. I don't think this has happened yet, but if it does, I hope to see some messages in this forum seeking a compromise solution. I also hope such messages will be courteous and respectful. After all, even the creator of 5 megabytes of first class free software can screw up occasionally! So let's continue to explore the new directions Rick's efforts are taking. If Rick says some things that seem inaccurate or that we don't understand, let's ask him about them. But let's also remember that Rick isn't a one-man benevolent society. He is not our servant. Even if we strongly disagree with what he is saying, let's be graceful about it. Let's mellow out a bit, PLEASE! Dave 16-Sep-86 19:32:48-MDT,730;000000000001 Return-Path: Received: from AMSAA by SIMTEL20.ARPA with TCP; Tue 16 Sep 86 19:32:41-MDT Received: from nprdc.arpa by AMSAA.ARPA id a024060; 16 Sep 86 20:38 EDT Received: by nprdc.arpa (4.12/ 1.1) id AA14896; Tue, 16 Sep 86 17:40:47 pdt From: Mel Moy Message-Id: <8609170040.AA14896@nprdc.arpa> Date: 16 September 1986 1740-PDT (Tuesday) To: info-cpm-request@AMSAA.ARPA Subject: Re: Let's "mellow out" a bit! Cc: info-cpm@AMSAA.ARPA, melmoy@NPRDC.ARPA Hear, hear! to Dave Towson's comments. If there are those who take exception to Rick Conn's choice, then let them blaze the "road not taken". They can be tomorrow's heros rather than today's martyrs. Mel .