April 04, 2000
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A need has arisen for action on my part.  There are some anonymous Stampede 
developers that are unhappy with the current organization of Stampede Linux.  
Some general observations, my response, and perhaps a little bit more follow:

In a recent conversation with Rob Aagard, I was informed that there are 
"several" developers that are unhappy with the way things are run.  I have not
been informed of this by any specific parties, nor was I aware before today that
problems existed.  Regardless, I shall reinforce the following points:

 * Stampede Linux has _always_ existed because I (and I hope others) have had
a good time working with it.  My goal from the beginning was not world
domination, not the recently ever popular Linux company IPO, and not to destroy
friendships or cause religious wars.  If you read up on a little Stampede 
history, you'll see that the distribution was started with the intent of being 
used by and made for solely Rob and I.  I have, needless to say, been pleasantly
surprised with how it has grown, and would like to see it continue to grow.
However, if growing means taking away the fun factor, then this is exactly 
what I don't want to happen.  

   I am still involved because I am still having fun.  If this does not satisfy
other developers, I encourage them to take action and do whatever makes them
happy, be that starting a new distribution and incorporating as an official
company, or simply spending more time at the park (PARC? ;).  Provided another
developer does do something to this nature, I will support him/her, and will do
whatever I can to help them.  I'm not out to make enemies.

 * Since the dawn of Stampede time (the Stampede Epoch, if you will), whenever
someone has asked about the leadership methods, the response has always been
the same.  Decisions are carried out by a loosely defined group of prominent
Stampede developers, with the "veto" vote left to the head developer, in this
case, me.  In practice, to my knowledge, I have only gone against other
developers wishes (used the "veto" power) once, a very small percentage of
the time.

   If the above makes developers unhappy, then they have ceased to have fun,
and should reference the previous point.  It seems prudent to note that above
method of organization is the same method that Stampede will stick with,
unless other developers and I (or whomever I appoint to Head Developer in the 
future) come to a joint decision that this will no longer work.

 * I am always available if someone has a problem with me and needs to talk,
whether I'm not on IRC.  I have made my phone numbers available to all
developers (via the developer contact_info database), and given my cell phone
number out to the IRC channel multiple times (I can be reached anywhere in the
country with my cellular phone).  I encourage any developer to call me with
pending issues any time, day or night.  (Please note that I don't answer the
phone when I'm asleep or eating, but leaving a message will get you a call back 
as soon as I am available.)  I encourage all of the anonymous unsatisfied
developers to take a pro-active approach and speak to me over the phone, so we
can work to resolve issues, rather than bottling them up.

Matthew S. Wood
Stampede Linux Head Developer

skibum@stampede.org
801.463.9989 (Home)
801.453.7027 (Work)
801.949.5358 (Mobile)

PS:  I shall not be attending the Developer meeting of 06Apr2000 regarding
"New Organization", as I specified my thoughts on the current organization
above, and do not want to destroy any friendships due to flaring tempers at 
the time of the meeting.  There will not be a change in the methods of
organization at this time.  Please do not interpret this as a rule set in 
stone, but rather a reminder that "New Organization" rules need to be discussed
with me before they are put into effect, rather than told to me at a developer 
meeting.