[Kongoni-devel] The end.

[A.J. Venter]

Just over a year ago - I began an experiment. I thought there may be
room in the market for a distribution in a different style. A
combination
of the slackware simplicity with the power of source-based ports
systems to produce a very BSD like GNU/Linux that strictly adhered to
free software principles.
I did some research - asking on the major LUG mailing lists in my
country whether people would be interested. I knew I could not do it
alone, but I
was happy to drive it if enough people were willing to join in.
About twenty people responded with a yes - and the project began. I
took every step I could imagine to allow them to participate easilly
-but in the
end I wrote every line of new code. I wrote every port, I maintained
them - and it took up all my spare time.
I enjoyed the work immensely - but somehow... that community I wanted
never became a community that shared the work. People used it, many
loved it, but
a year later, I was still doing all the work by myself.
Some people helped with parts, Hannes did a great job on the artwork
for example and I love the tattoo I have that will always remind me of
how
wonderful this project was in many ways. But perhaps - the barrier to
entry was too high, or the interest just not quite wide enough to get
a few more hands
involved. The hackfest was a success - but nobody offered to do some
work the next day.

Nobody was writing modules for KISS but me. Nobody was working on the
installer but me. In short... I was doing it alone and still am.

The reality is, that I knew all along I couldn't do that - but I had
enough faith to give it a try and hope to build a community that would
create something
together which we all could love. Unfortunately, it seems that this is
not the way it happened. On virtually every question posted in the
forums, I posted
the only response. So I was tech support, developer and everything-
all for a non-paying hobby project.

Unfortunately - that is not a long term viable situation. So, with a
lot of sadness and after a very long time thinking, I have decided to
withdraw from
my position as leader of this project. If somebody else wishes to take
over, please contact me - and I will do everything in my power to get
you set up.
Perhaps a new vision and a different leader can attract those coders I
couldn't.

I will continue to maintain the hosting of this site - so that those
who wish to see our work, or build on it, can get to it, for at least
another year
regardless of whether a volunteer steps forward. If such a volunteer
does step forward, I will stay with the project as simple contributor
and help
work on code under his direction. If none does, then the project will
not see further development. I simply cannot maintain this workload by
myself
indefinitely and I have reached the end of my means.

I spent a long time wishing I didn't have to write this post, and
wanting to postpone it, but ultimately - I felt I had to say out loud
what has been
on my mind these last few months. If somebody loves this project
enough to take my place - you know where to find me. The mailing lists
are still up -
contact me and I'll give you all the access you need.
Thank you to everyone who downloaded, looked at, played with, used
and loved the system. My one biggest regret is letting you down - but
I cannot do this
by myself. I don't know if this message will make news, or go
completely unnoticed, but I do know that I have to write it. I will
always be proud of this
project, it was something wonderful and frankly awesome. The kongoni
tattoo that graces my right arm will be a matter of pride for me for
the rest of my
life. I always knew this project (like all software projects) would
not last forever, I hoped it would last longer than this. In many ways
it was a great
success, I will choose to remember that success and not dwell on the
part that ended it's life so prematurely - and I hope that others will
do the same.

Thank you
A.J. Venter