ml>  MvanL> * I don't like the board/sub-board (RA-style group/subgroup)
 ml>  MvanL> file/message area categorising method. 

 ml> what "RA-style group/subgroup" style? don't use it if 
 ml> you don't like it... RA didn't have it for a long time 
 ml> but it was one of the most requested functions asked 
 ml> for...

That's my point - they opted for the current style. I think the Maximus
style is better.

I'm not fully purposely descending into a BBS software war, however I
instigate controversy for the limited intellectual stimulus.

I was expressing the preferences of different SysOps and the strengths and
weaknesses of different BBS software, and by nature of these debates invite
the "enemy" to emphasise my weaknesses - I will always put forth
my strengths and exploit "their" weaknesses. Unilateral attacks
are more interesting. 

[...]

 ml> the biggest "problem" comes from folk who expect every 
 ml> board to be just like every other... that happens 
 ml> because they are not aware that the sysop has the 
 ml> freedom, with properly designed software, to make 
 ml> things look and act like they want and not just get 
 ml> stuck with "skinning" capabilities... 

Yeah but it comes at a cost whereby SysOps must hack or work around
problems because their chosen BBS software doesn't inherently support those
features.

For example it'd be a nightmare to mimmick the Maximus area divisioning
behaviour in Synchronet / RA where areas are numerically defined instead of
alphanumerically capable.

 ml>  MvanL> But Scott Dudley disappared off the face of the earth. I don't
 ml>  MvanL> blame him. So now there's only a half-arsed 
 ml> intermittently commited
 ml>  MvanL> ragtag user group left. 

 ml> apparently you don't have all the facts, either... bob 
 ml> jones is limited by a job contract in what he can do as 
 ml> far as developing and coding anything... the 
 ml> limitations of that contract are almost expired... 
 ml> until that expiration time passes, he felt that it was 
 ml> safer for the existing code to not be handled by 
 ml> himself so that it would not be misclassified and have 
 ml> that company he was contracted with trying to claim it 
 ml> for their own...

I remember that thread. 

I appreciate all efforts and contributions towards Maximus.

That doesn't change the fact that there has been nothing new since 2003,
and Bob only expressed an interest in cleaning up some bugs and making a
Linux  installer. Eventhough this is much (much) more than what I've done
or proposed to date, it does not constitute a concerted effort to revive
Maximus and therefore does not change my view of a ragtag team (if 1 person
can be called a team).

--- Maximus 3.01