Hannes Preishuber

# re: thanks to Charles Caroll

Like many people, CC has his positives and negatives. I think that ultimately, his negatives have outweighed his postives. His need to make his opinions known to the general development public have lead to a number of people disliking him. Personally, I believe the ultimate problem is that many people do not quite understand what a contract is. Most people believe that a contract is an agreement between two people. A contract is actually an agreement between two groups. Now, those groups may only have one person involved with them, but it is still between two groups. The problem becomes when those groups with more than one person involved include people that you do not know and do not know of. These people have their issues put into a contract. These people are people like accountants, lawyers that know and understand things like intellectual property, and other people that operate behind the scenes. While you may deal with only a few people in a company, you can bet that any contract involves more than just the people that you deal with. So, when CC had his public falling out with MS back in November of 2002, he thought the problem was with people like Scott Guthrie and Rob Howard. The contract that CC was presented with was a pretty basic contract that negotiations could start from. Well, CC took that as a take it or leave it position from Scott and Rob.

Another thing that I have learned is that an initial contract offer is merely a starting point, not an ending point. The problem is that technology people are not contract experts, so tech people will typically take any initial contract as a take it or leave it offer. This is not the case.

Put these two items together and it is no wonder that CC was upset. The problem is that he chose to voice his opinions to the general public of developers as oppossed to a smaller group of friends and confidants that could have advised him of such things. The moment he hit send, the damage was done.

Another problem with CC is that he is too proud to ask for help. He thinks that he is smart enough to do anything, which is another problem with technology people. Working with others is a hard thing for tech people to do. Everyone in technology should have mandatory courses in how to work together.

Wally

# re: thanks to Charles Caroll

I would like to say thanks to Charles too. I have known him for over 5 years and he has helped me improve my skills as well as been a great friend to me. On the personal side he has been a guest in my home, and is welcome back anytime. My children still play with the Thomas the Tank Engine computer game he got for them. On the professional side his site has on numerous occasions provided quick coding resolutions to problems that arose throughout the work day. Not just for me, but for thousands of users. That is a resource that will truly be missed.

You can't say it was the contract that forced his actions. That was like the last of many things. That same headline that Hannes mentions above has links that explain the other circumstances which forced his actions. Saying it was JUST the contract is wrong. Whether or not you agree with his statements or not is your own business. But I do not know Charles to be a liar. I know him to be highly opininated, and someone who really calls it like he sees it. A lot of folks didn't / don't like that. But I have never known him to be a liar, so I believe what he says happened.

To me the worst thing is that because of the actions of a few, the ASP/ASP.Net community is losing one of its most energetic, enthusiastic, and dedicated advocates. His dedication to helping folks will be sorely missed. Microsofts own people caused a rift in a community who was supporting and praising their products. First it was the 700 - 900 lists that asplists/friends had, now it is his site.

Some may argue that the community doesnt need those resources because others spring up to take their place. But I have seen, used, and even run a few of those resources that sprung up from the lists falling and can say that nothing will ever fill the place of what once was. The community has a couple good lists still out there, but not the 700+ highly focused that it used to. It has a couple good sites still out there, but will soon lose one of the best. That will leave a hole.

Yell and sream at me if you like, but this post is not to raise up hate or anger. It is to reflect on what has happened over the last year, and see the effects. Microsoft's actions hurt its own community. There is still a hole. I doubt it will ever be completely filled.