Hmm, lots going on here. Maybe I should keep my mouth shut, maybe I shouldnt, but hey, lets see where this goes.
First off, spliting the project is a idea, but let someone come in with some hard data say who will be on the dev team of the new project. All those in favor of a split can say "I" all they want to, but little code changes here and there just dont amount to anything when your just going to be siphioning the code that the original dev team is putting out.
I propose that the forums Admins spark of a fork in the development thread for 3rd party development. Anyone with some code changes that just cant simply make it to the table of the emu's source can put thier changes here. Then, anyone want to add their own 3rd party patches can swing by, grab that code and put it into thier own servers. This will add varitey and advantage to the server population out there. Server X runs on standard source while Server A runs on modified patched source. If there is someway to make people aware of what changes you have in place readily, people can see and say "Hey, this one does so much more than X, im going there to enjoy my emulating expierences"
The principle idea is already in effect, it just applies to custom content other than a "Live Like" expiernce. Non-Legit, Semi-Legit, Legit-Classic ect...
This could be way better than forking something thats is at this age, with no hardcore solid dev team to back up the new fork.
A way to possibly keep the masses happy, keep things confined to this community, and to keep people informed is to take things that are out of your control and work around them. You cant have the LS code, no matter how bad you want it. Forking on the ML would look like a hooker in her Sunday's Finest, it just would look silly. Why not take the crew that does see a issue, that does have some power and work around it. Matt, Angelox, you guys have the power to make new boards right, if not, you have the power to sticky stuff where it can be seen by most people coming in. If so, sticky a topic for a 3rd Party development forum that is off site. That forum could server as a way for people to get thier code fixes and patches. These servers are 3rd Party, and in no way endorsed or supported here. If your on a modded server, and you have problems, dont come back to us, as the people that made the mods you used.
I feel like I am repeating myself here, but you guys get the point. Fork Bad, New Options other than Fork Good.
Hell, for those that are truly hardcore, passionate EQEmu lovers, why not spoon the project. That sure bound to make people happier.
|