Posted by Taskforce (ip68-12-197-3.ok.ok.cox.net | 68.12.197.3) on July 30, 2002 at 22:55:39:
I'd like to talk about the state of things in the
translation scene and especially this DeJaP situation.
You know, I've said several places that I think
accepting donations of money for hard drive recovery
was an acceptable thing. However, DeJaP has mentioned
in its post that this is NO LONGER just accepting
money for a hard drive recovery. Now it is also
accepting Hardware as well. And not for that purpose.
This is IMHO completely and utterly WRONG! We aren't
talking about something they need so they can get back
lost work. We are now talking about PC parts for
a system that is "a backup". And I've read places that
they've even accepted more than just stuff for the
backup unit.
This is now a business. They can pretend all they
want, but pretending doesn't make it anything other
than what it is. These boys better know how to handle
this with the IRS too, because this IS profit. The
IRS will REAM their ass if they try to claim it as
anything else.
I'm sorry, I think this is now wrong. And I'll
broadcast that to the ends of the earth not that it
will do any good. Yes, as I said, I'm not for or
against the donations to fix the PC. But those
donations only. And letting DF handle any money that
is left (assuming their is any) is also WRONG. That
money should be split back up among the highest
donators and given back.
Heh, just as an example. I'm using a TNT2 M64 32MB and
my 8x CD Writer just went out. I bought a 32x but
it is a piece of junk. You don't see me asking
for donations to replace these. I'll live with the
TNT2 and the crappy CD Writer that I bought to replace
it cause it is all *I* could afford.
As for the other scene in general. I can say that
I am actually as happy with certain individuals in
the scene as I ever was. There are those of you that
I get along quite well with. There are those of you
that I don't get along with quite so well and still
admire your work. Then there are those of you that I
do neither. Boy does it seem that more and move are
sliding into the second and third catagory now though.
Which is starting to make the scene to me not quite
so fun anymore. Between that and I myself getting
myself into things I shouldn't. (I'll leave that
comment to your imagination.) The scene is quickly
becoming as much a chore for me as it is a fun thing.
With that said though, there are still a LOT of
individuals that make this fun enough for me to stick
around. Wildbill, Akujin, Bongo`, Laxidman, Drakkhen,
Klarth and a few others that I really enjoy hanging
out with and talking to and even collaborating on
projects with.
So, in summery, I think the DeJaP situation has gone
further than it should, and is hurting the scene and
it's people. I myself and not nearly enjoying things
as much as I once was but am enjoying them enough to
still stick around. I just hope the scene improves
instead of sliding even further downhill.
And to those of you that I still enjoy talking with
and working with (there are more than I mentioned),
thanks for making this fun enough to keep me going.
You deserve the thanks.
-Taskforce