The following email message should help clarify things a little bit.
I've removed the senders name and contact information, as I don't
have his permission to post it:
-------------------------------
On Fri, 14 Apr 2000, xxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:

> Dear Matthew:
> 
> This is xxxxxxxx from xxxxxxxx. We've gotten several submissions in the
> xxxxxxxx inbox linking to the letter on linux.com from the Stampede
> developers who resigned today. I see that the Stampede site reflects
> this as well.
> 
> I'm writing to ask, Why the resignations? Were they a surprise? Are you
> on good terms with the folks who resigned? What does this mean for the
> future of stampede? Will you still be releasing .90 tomorrow?
> 
> I'd appreciate e-mail back about this, or a phone call -- my number is
> xxxxxxxxxxxx, and I'm in xxxxxxxx xxxx, xx (between xx and xxxxxxxxx).
> 
> Sincerely,
> 
> xxx xxxx
> xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> 
> 
> 



The resignations have been brewing for quite some time.  The major reason
for resignation is the current method of leadership.  Those who resigned
wanted to see a board of directors that handled all matters (BSD style).
They were unhappy with the teirs of leadership that exist today (much like
the linux kernel development structure).  The current leadership method
has worked well up until this point, and shows no indications of 
future failure.

I am still on good terms with most of the developers, to quote one of
them: "Business is business, friendship is friendship", that is, the two
are unrelated.

The future of Stampede is not in doubt, we're recruiting more and more
developers as we speak (The response from the development volunteer 
community has been tremendous).  Development will be hindered in the short
term, but we forsee a future explosion in the speed of the development
cycle.  Unfortunatly, 0.90 will need to be delayed for a short amount of
time (exactly how much time is unclear at this juncture), but users can be
assured that 0.90 is coming, and it is coming soon.

It should be noted that all of the people listed on the resignation letter
were not active developers, only 5 have actually contributed recently to
the project, and at least 1 has never actually used Stampede Linux, but
rather is affiliated to another developer through personal relations.

Please feel free to post this note to xxxxxxxx, and give me a call at
xxxxxxxxxxxx if you have any further questions.  

Matthew S. Wood
Stampede Linux Head Developer

---
"Why must you turn my NOC into a NOC of lies??"
Matt Wood - Stampede Linux Head Developer
http://www.stampede.org
skibum@stampede.org
skibum@linux.com
skibum@unix-security.net