Mallard: Collaborate or Not?

[Thomas R. Jones]

Hello all,

I think it has really became obvious that there is a division between
members of this mailinglist with regards to Mallard. After much review
and deliberation I think there are only two avenues from which to
proceed at this time:

1. Full acceptance of Mallard and implementation of it into Ubuntu. This
would require all authors to discontinue development in any other
formats. Including myself as a proponent.

2. Fork the two groups in the development repository. The original
documentation resources separate from the new mallard sources. This
allows both camps to proceed in their own respective directions.

It has become fairly obvious that a few members are attempting to
strong-arm this project into acceptance by the community. There is no
chance that these two or three individuals will accept the community
opinion that we simply do not want to implement mallard at this time.
The dissension and valid points against Mallard are either disregarded
or counter-discussed with references completely irrelevant to the topic
at hand.

Personally, I think it is a sad display of ethics. Community should
always come before personal projects. It is increasingly noticeable to
see that Mallard has become a project from which these individuals can
garner favoritism or personal recognition within the Ubuntu community.
Inflate the ego of a few ---- at the expense of the community. It is sad
---- it truly is.

However, this is an open source community. Even trolls found in the
forums are allowed the ability to present their opinions. With that in
mind, it is soon coming to light that a decision must be made. The
attempt to allow the community time to make a final decision, the
attempt to beta test the competing camps; have all been tossed aside and
disregarded. So there cannot be a concession or opportunity to come to
an amicable agreement about the Mallard project. Plain and simple.

We have to decide one way or the other. Personally, this has left a bad
taste in my mouth with regards to contributing any further towards the
goal of helping the Ubuntu community through the documentation
resources.

Cheers.
Thomas Jones