Java For Firefox

[Jason Garrett]

On Thu, Mar 18, 2010 at 07:42, Robert Huff <roberthuff at rcn.com> wrote:
>
> Jason Garrett writes:
>
>>  >> At some point a rational person realizes that it is time to move on.
>>  >> Progress is achieved by striving forward; not looking backwards. I fail
>>  >> to see any logical reason why a fully up-to-date version of Java cannot
>>  >> be included into the ports system and thereby enable the users of the
>>  >> latest version of Firefox, and perhaps other programs, to benefit
>>  >> from its presents.
>>  >>
>>  >> FreeBSD has always lagged far behind in its released versions of Java
>>  >> as opposed to Sun's released versions. Since it appears that FreeBSD is
>>  >> lagging behind, there is no reason to work on any of the intermediate
>>  >> versions, but rather concentrate on the latest released version;
>>  >> thereby benefiting its user base.
>>  >>
>>  >
>>  > Put your money where your mouth is and provide patches.
>>
>>  What part of "I don't do much code" did you not understand?
>>
>>  This is a canned response around here and frankly should be
>>  ignored if the poster has nothing else positive to add to the
>>  discussion.
>
>        While the form was rather brusque, the content was entirely
> accurate and should _not_ be ignored.
>        Java is one of the larger/most complex third-party products on
> which other apps depend.  I am quite glad I'm not the one
> responsible for updating and testing new versions.  As for actual
> certification?  It's a long and expensive process; it's happened
> twice, both times by the unexpected gift of one ot more corporate
> sponsors (whose identity has not been disclosed, probably by
> request).
>        FreeBSD is - with exceptions that can be counted on one hand -
> maintained and improved by volunteers.  They work on what interests
> or affects them, on their own time, sometimes spending thwir own
> money.
>        Yes, there's a Java team.
>        Yes, it's understaffed.  (So, by some metrics, is the entire
> project.)
>        No, there's no one around authorized to break out the whip and
> shackles and tell them to row harder.
>        Yes, they're perfectly aware they're behind the curve.  Perhaps
> no one is _more_ aware, including details not obvious to others.
>
>        So ... once the whing\\\\\ complaining is done. the OP has
> choices:
>        They can suffer with the /status quo/.
>        They can go elsewhere.  Frankly, if they need these features
> that badly, this is the correct and reasonable solution.  They'll be
> missed, but the decision will be understood.
>        Or they can contribute - contribute what skills they do have
> (e.g. testing), contribute cycles on machines of different
> architectures, even contribute the funding to pay for a full-time
> coder to work on this.  (I'm guessing here; talk to java@ for the
> exact list.)
>
>        Respectfully,
>
>
>                                Robert Huff
>
>
>

With all due respect Robert,

Gary Jennejohn  ran into this thread and simply said (with my name
being the last mentioned) "Put your money where your mouth is and
provide patches.".

Obviously he did not read my post or any of the others. I have next to
ZERO coding experience, but what I do have is time and machines to
provide any EXTRA support that the Java team would like. I myself do
not _NEED_ any of the features in the latest update, but it would be
nice to have a more recent version. I understand how hard this is, and
how understaffed the whole project is in general. For some one to jump
in with a one liner like Gary did is unacceptable. It's obvious he did
zero reading and therefore he has nothing to add either.

If anyone would like to take this argument off list, please feel free
to email me. I would even be willing to give out my telephone number
to discuss ad nauseam.

Now that this has been exhausted on-list, can we get back on-topic?