Hi
Wow this fight is better than Mike Tysons..not that it took much beating...but as a user I felt I may as well give my $0.02 worth.
I have used alot of opensource SW in my time, to build some great businesses, and in return helped bring the internet to a whole lot of people who would never have used it. From the days of sendmail and apache, to msql and mysql, perl and php...its all added to this virtual world we call the Internet.
Since my development days are way past me, I cant really contribute in code, hence I'll do a little in my own way, together with the numerous others who have helped me along the way....
This argument (which is exactly what it is), boils down to moving fast or keeping stability. In this list there are both types of users, and I think both are needed, if we dont move fast, then SER will come to a standstill, but if we move too quickly, and dont get new users problems resolved like basic setup (which Greger et al at doing) then we will be short of new users...who always come with new ideas. Whether the solution is in a fork or not, is irrelevant here, because having core developers not working together just aint good. Judging by opensource in other projects, I think the key is too keep it as one (or so it should seem to the casual observer), and from there you could have two threads, one where the fast paced users would be able to pull from and test, and the other more safer stable environment. Let the user decide what he wishes to opt for, but dont make it look as if there are two separate projects going on.
The logistics of this I havent a clue on, but I am sure some on this list do, 2 URL's etc doesnt make much difference, except as Klaus pointed out I've got too mailing lists, and if I try to reply to user questions I know I will only really have time for one list, and you will just get alot of cross posts happening.
If the core developers do not pull together, then how can the community. Maybe split the core team into two (which is what is happening), one who can work on stable releases, and one on a more faster release...slightly less stable , eventually the latter one being sucked into the former.
Also I think there is a call to allow others to submit modules....and these should not always have to be approved, I think if approved they go into stable ser, else users should be able to use them at there own risk. If you look at asterisk you will see lots of software developed for it, and modules etc, and I am sure not all these are approved, but what it helps do is to spread SER.
Whether we have two sites 3 or even more, unless the core developers are happy, this wont work, guys you gotta sort it out, else SER and VoIP will not reach its full potential...a plea from a user :-)
Iqbal