From KruelWiki

Contents 1 Update 1.1 IRC is Back 1.2 immaturity shines thru 2 Thats right, IRC is down 2.1 ...what about the newbies? 2.2 ...what about the Jabber? 2.3 ...what about all the other websites on the server? 3 You're a madman sko, why did you do it! 3.1 ...so why did you start kruel anyhow? 3.2 ...so you want more money? its a money thing right? 4 Where to from here? 4.1 ...so will IRC be back? 4.2 ...will koderfest still be on? 4.3 ...are you going to close down kruel? 4.3.1 ...what about ppl's donations? 5 Noteable Exceptions 5.1 TheGump 5.2 Odium 6 Conclusion 6.1 PS

Update

IRC is Back

IRC is back up, it seems to have had the desired effect. Let me remind people of some key things to remember when involved with kruel:

• The server isnt free, so access is a privilege not a right.
• Dont complain. If something isnt right, argue your point and accept any decisions made.
• Be reliable. If you say you will do something, either do it by the allocated date, or provide a reasonable explaination why you cant, preferably before hand. eg. "Uni is hectic this week, we'll have to push it back a week"
• Be responsive. Most of us check email daily. Try to respond straight away, if you need time to form a response just say "ok, just give me a day or two to get back to you"
• If you can, throw in a few bucks a month
• Be polite. It makes it much more enjoyable for all. Be careful how you word things, and dont just rubbish people's ideas.

See you on IRC.

immaturity shines thru

I've locked the kruel account because the front page of kruel.org was vandalised. Contrary to what was written, its got nothing to do with money. Read this page again, some ppl just dont get it. Here's the ~kruel/.bash_history for those interested:

rm -rf planet*
tar ccvf kruel.org* kruel_old.tar
tar ccvf kruel.org kruel_old.tar
tar ccvf kruel.org kruel_old.tar
mv kruel.org suck.org
mkdir kruel.org
cd kruel.org
touch index.php
echo suck >> index.php
cd ..
rm kruel.org
rm kruel.org -rf
mv suck.org/ kruel.org
cd kruel.org
ls
mv index.php index2.php
vim index.php
vim index.php
exit

Thats right, IRC is down

Klining *!*@* is an effective way of doing that. (well i would have if the IRCd would let me)

I'll leave that there for a week, if not longer. The soonest you can expect to see it removed is the 23th of May 2005, but thats not a promise. It might change depending on responses from people (use the talk page) to my actions.

...what about the newbies?

I hope they'll understand that its not directed to them in the slightest. They are one reason i havent done this sooner. If you're a newbie and in the newcastle area give me a call on 0410557166 and I'll buy you a beer/coffee as an appology and to explain things.

...what about the Jabber?

I dont use jabber, so i dont really care ... it can stay up.

...what about all the other websites on the server?

I considered bringing down all pages (that werent paying for hosting) to get a point across but I wont for now, at the moment its limited only to IRC, again ... depends on how things pan out.

You're a madman sko, why did you do it!

Well theres a fair few reasons, let me go into them so you better understand the situation:

• I've been forking out USD$200/mo for a server for the past few years as part of my company, which means its been comming out of my pocket (yes pretax but still thats US$150ish i could have had). The reason i got a dedicated server and didnt just pay for $10/mo for hosting was I wanted us to have a full server so we (kruel) had total freedom and control, including running our own services such as jabber and IRC. Yes i know there's cheaper hosting but rackspace is the most reliable hosting on the planet, see netcraft if you dont believe me.

• Complaints! My goodness people can complain. I've had complaints about everything from valid flaws (such as my lack of project management input) thru to stupid things about 'why arent we running distro X on the server, its better', 'you should program it in languge Y' or 'use technology Z its leet' and other random (typically uninformed) comments and nitpicking, particularly from people who dont donate or contribute to kruel in any way. You have no idea how taxing complaints are unless you have to deal with them en masse.

• Unreliablity. If I say I'm going to do things, i generally try to remember to get it done. If i dont get it done, i appologise and explain to who ever the reasons why, and try to put it as a priority to get it done ASAP. I've had people disappear for months at a time who were supposed to admin the server, and I've lost count at the number of 'todo' items that people have promised to complete time and time again that havent been done.

• Unresponsiveness. If I take the time to call you, email you, msg you on MSN or IRC ... i did it for a reason. I see it as common human courtesy to respond in a timely manner and in a fashion fitting the question or issue(s) raised. Failure to do so is a slap in the face. If you're busy/tired, i would think it normal to say 'sorry, cant chat now, speak to you tomorrow'.

• Lack of financial support. I understand people have lives and dont want to throw all their money into a bottomless pit but several people have said 'once i have a job I'll start donating to kruel' ... thats a quote from more than just one person ... and for most of those people, no money has been forthcomming. I dont give a rats if you can't donate, just if you promise and don't.

• General rudeness. I know its IRC, but some sort of respect is expected. No one is forced to help me pay for the server, in fact all current donations are going towards forming a company. Also, telling me how the universe I'm creating (praelium) should run and should be, rather than providing a suggestion, (eg. "you might like to think about using XYZ instead for that because") is just bad form. Telling me how stupid this idea or that is, is bad from. Insulting my intelligence because i havent studied everything about everything, is bad form. I've got a thick skin (you have to being a geek) but sometimes ppl just go too far whether they realise it or not.

...so why did you start kruel anyhow?

Originally it was so people with similar ideas for writing software could work together, more recently its evolved to focus on praelium. Its never been about making money or anything else (good thing that!)

My underlying belief is that people are generally good and trustworthy. That still stands, however I've learnt a lot more about other strong traits of human nature such as selfishness, deception, laziness and apathy.

...so you want more money? its a money thing right?

Not at all. I can afford to pay the money to have the server, otherwise i'd have to had stop a long time ago. Not to say the money wouldnt be nice but whats several grand in the big scheme of things? If people were doing what they said they would, and generally helping out ... it'd be fine without any donations what so ever.

Where to from here?

Everyone should stop and think about the way they've acted.

... Now spend a little while longer thinking about it.

... ... Come back in a few days and think about it again.

Ok, perhaps ur starting to get it.

Realise that I'm doing this in my own time when i could be earning $60/hr+ working. (yes ppl pay me that and more), so all my complaints above make it just not worth the effort.

I'm going to spend the next while focusing on uni and work and considering if its worth my effort.

...so will IRC be back?

Eventually. Give it a week or so.

...will koderfest still be on?

Not sure at this stage, I might cancel it but i'll let you know after this weekend.

...are you going to close down kruel?

Its a possibility, still tossing that one around.

...what about ppl's donations?

I'll donate it to world vision for the tsunami relief efforts unless ppl want the money back, and for anyone doubting my integrity I'll be scanning a reciept and putting it online if this happens. Also, I'll put it in the name of 'KS Community' or something so no one can say i'm claiming it as a tax concession.

Noteable Exceptions

Apart from the newbies who havent been around for that long, I'd just like to point out two people:

TheGump

I hope you dont mind me sharing this dude, but you're an awesome example to the group, and an inspiration to me.

Adrian has spina bifida which means he's gotta use a wheel-chair. He's totally with it mentally (as you may have noticed by his quick wit) its just his body. He's currently unemployed and is on centerfink payments. He's not a coder, an artist or a story writer either.

However he has donated more than anyone else in the group, and yet he's got every excuse to not donate or even be involved. Yet, he is very active online on IRC and donates generously as mentioned.

Odium

Kayla and I are close friends, but she's been encouraging everyone to contribute since I asked her to take care of administration for kruel. She's also donated a fair chunk of money considering she's on centrelink while studying.

She is very keen and has done whatever i asked to help out with koderfests and general stuffs.

Conclusion

While everyone's contribution to kruel over the years has been much appreciated, recently its been utterly pitiful from the reasons mentioned.

I know you have lives, but so do I, and i've chosen to donate a fair chunk of my time to this ... so we'll either see some changes in the group as a whole or I'll be focusing my time on projects with friends at uni (the current suggestion is a 3x 360degree flight simulator with my mech eng buddies).

Call me on 0410557166 or 0249262215 if you want to discuss it, or email [1] but I promise to be honest if ppl ask me questions so dont ask questions unless ur willing to hear my answer.

PS

The root password is changed again, so bugging ycros/ benzor to fix the kline wont work.