>> What would be really useful would be for you Borland Tech Support

and DevRel people to stop promulgating this illusion created by
yourselves, that we don't want Borland participation.

Do you blame them for wondering if they are welcome when they get
attacked with messages like this one and the lovely piece at
http://www.ibphoenix.com/ibp_certified_interbase_faq.html for
example? Yes, I know Firebird <> IBPhoenix, but see below.

>> While I have your attention, please stop telling the NGs that

IBPhoenix owns Firebird. It doesn't. Firebird members own
Firebird. There are scores of us. It's an independent project and
always has been.

A lot of people have the perception that Firebird = IBPhoenix.

Why? Because there are a handful of people that are involved with
both that have an axe to grind with Borland about InterBase. If
there is just one person that is associated with Firebird that is
attacking Borland and every decision that they make, it sheds bad
light on the ENTIRE Firebird group. Why should they participate when
the just get attacked and criticized for each and every thing that
they do.

You should also keep in mind that they have to make a profit or they
won't exist. Like it or not, that's reality. Given the choice of
working on something that will generate revenue for them or working
on Firebird (which won't), what do you think Jon Arthur will want the
IB engineers spending their time on? Probably not Firebird.

Don't get me wrong, I think that they have made some really stupid
decisions and I don't agree with a lot of the things that they are
still doing. However, what's done is done and there isn't anything
that can be done to undo the past. Borland own InterBase and it's
their decision to do with it as they see fit.

Why did you say, "I figured it was a chance to get these guys to
clean up their act."? If you wanted to address something with Aaron
or Borland, why did you post it here? Saying, "Mr Ruddick, if you
are reading this now..." doesn't mean he'll see it. Unless he's a
member of this list (which you can tell since you are a moderator) or
monitors the newsgroup mirror, he won't see it.

Aaron is new and does not have all of the history and BS from the
past year to taint his opinsion of Firebird. IMHO, all that messages
like this do for the new people on the InterBase group is give them a
bad taste in their mouth about Firebird.

Your information stating "Aaron Ruddick (new IB Tech support expert)"
is incorrect as well. He signs his posts on the newsgroups with:
Thank you,
Aaron Ruddick
InterBase QA

This friction between Borland and Firebird is never going to end
until everyone grows up, gets over the past and moves on. Don't we
all have better things to do to help improve Firebird and InterBase
than to keep attacking Borland?

David R.