[sldev] Security Update 2008-10-06 to SL Viewers and source code - CLARIFICATION

[Gordon Wendt]

So this is essentially a huge fuck you to all the third party viewer makers
and users since while I'd guess the vast majority of third party viewers are
using the old code solely for the old UI and graphics if nothing else you
have essentially told them don't bother because with one or two days notice
all your work is worthless and we're going to push this out on you whether
you like it or not.  I won't be surprised and won't hold any blame against
them if some of the third party viewer makers give up if your going to treat
them like this.  This is unacceptable behavior from LL and further proof of
an unacceptable attitude towards it's customer base.  Some of you are going
to ask who am I to say this? I am a loyal user of SL, I have overall been a
defender of SL and LL time and time again but LL still does stupid stuff
like this over and over again to it's customers.

Rob, Since you want this list to be constructive I will give some
constructive suggestions.  Listen to the third party client designers, they
say they hate windlight or new UI changes ok fine roll out the changes but
don't screw them over.  I realize it takes extra work to make multiple
patches for multiple versions so pick maybe two or at most three versions,
the release and two backdated.  Give the release your full attention however
when it comes to huge fixes like this that can't be optional put in the
extra work and make a compatible patch for the latest 1.9 series viewer.  I
guarantee that the extra work will pay itself back in the goodwill you will
get not only from the creators of third party viewers but from the users who
use them as well.  I believe it would be impossible for to get solid numbers
on how many people use third party vs the main viewer (although LL may very
well have them) however I strongly believe that they are numerous and grow
each time LL decides to turn their UI a different color.  My immediate
suggestion would be to roll this out on time however at the same time give a
short timeframe until when you'll have a patch out for the 1.9 series and
stick to that timeline.  Because of the extra testing involved I understand
that it would take awhile but with the promise of a compatible patch I'm
sure that many people would be willing to wait and use the LL viewer
temporarily until it came out even if that was a month from now.  Otherwise
you face killing your open source initiative by crapping on third party
designers and users one too many times.


Note: My language comes out as being unsophisticated and harsh in the above
and probably breaks a few rules however despite my intentions to go over and
edit the swears out however after finishing it I have realized that it would
take away the honesty I am attempting to convey here and if that gets be
modbitted so be it if it makes a difference... and that's not just trying to
be dramatic if it makes a difference it really is worth whatever fate Rob
has in store for people who curse on the mailing list.
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