Jim Bell wrote:
On 2/13/2012 2:20 PM, Robert Ramey wrote:
Let me start by saying I love Boost and C++ as much or more than anyone here!!!
Let ME start by saying I appreciate you staying as involved with Boost as you have been. Authors disappearing is Boost's biggest problem (IMHO) and you haven't.
NOTE - TL;DR This is way off topic - but I would like to respond anyway. The above might be true, I haven't noticed that much. I suppose that it might because that if I use a component and it works - I don't notice. If I try to use something and it turns into a problem, I just set it aside and move on to another solution (usually). I have a low tolerance for frustration (I'm getting older - it get's worse). So I don't think I notice it that much. As for my own motivation. My first motivation was was that I wanted to learn C++ to a lot better than I knew it before. This I accomplished. By that time, I managed to do that, I had writting the serialization library. The first versions had some bugs and it offended my self image to permit them to stay unfixed. I have a big ego. So what you suggest as a professional commitment is likely a manifestation of a personality flaw. oh well. (Even the current version has a few design flaws - I've left track items which highlight them, but for now ...). After I got things working to my satisfaction, there is very little work to do actually. Just once in a while I respond to the user list. It's very easy for me to do and it provides sort of a "comic relief". To me, if you're library (or application) requires a lot of maintainence it's not done yet. If people require lot's of hand holding to get it work or understand how to use it, it's a bug - either in the code, design, or documentation. The three things have to be considered as a whole. Which brings me to my current effort - which is to update my original artcle - "Making a Boost Library" to include observations gathered over several years of developing and maintaining hte library. Part of is to make a simple small library and show how to get it preparied so that it has a chance of getting in to boost without turning the process into a death march. This is in turn motivated by my concern that Boost/C++ needs a little "boost" to make it to the next level where it needs to be now that most of the "simple" libraries are done. Even microsoft is now acknowledged that C++ is the future - prepare for a bumpy ride!!!! So I want to make the process smoother. Also off topic - considering people who have hung in there are a few who deserve really special mention. Dave Abrahams, Beamon Dawes, John Maddock - I"m sure there are others whose libraries I depend upon every day. And special mention should go to Vladimir Prus. I know I complain about bjam all the time but where would boost be without it? And Vladimir is ALWAYS available when required - over many years. I see no conflict at all in complaining about bjam and holding Vladimir in the highest esteem both as a person and a professional. (Hmm my wife complains about me all the time but I think she loves me - oh well). Robert Ramey