[pmmail-list] [***SPAM*** Score/Req: 15.8/15.0] Re: PMMail WInXP+Vista future as open source

[Lynn H. Maxson]

Why would you question VOICE's decision to pursue PMMail in 
support of the OS/2/eCS users who make up its membership?  
As the initial project leader of several months removed on the 
charge of proceeding too slowly it has taken nearly a year 
longer than I had in mind.  I have nevertheless tracked the 
development and have only praise for those who have 
brought it thus far.

That which has slowed or hindered progress at a rate which 
we would like to sustain infects all of the open or near-open 
source major projects for OS/2/eCS like OpenOffice, 
Seamonkey, and others.  It would have doomed OS/2 could IBM 
have released it as open source.  The choice of the languages 
you mention, as if a real overall difference in developing 
software existed among them, has no effect.

Part of the problem lies in the third-generation nature of 
these programming languages and, one, the extra writing and 
rewriting effort they engender in all stages of software 
development, not just construction.  Nor do they allow options 
to reduce the preparation of regressive test cases or the need 
for beta versions.

If you add to that the lower operational efficiencies of open 
source with its distributed and unpaid-for volunteers, lack of 
tight management controls and direction, you should consider 
yourself lucky that anything comes out the other end.  Neither 
Microsoft nor Linux, different ends of the same spectrum, 
come off as speed demons in terms of new versions.

I don't fault people for doing the best they can with the tools 
at their disposal along with the way they have to use them.  
The way out begins with moving to using a fourth-generation 
language and achieving what SQL has as such.

Give VOICE credit for its persistence in obtaining the rights to 
the OS/2 version of PMMail and that underway in providing an 
enchanced version to its users.  I do.