Stepping down from the IRC team

[Matt Darcy]

Michael Lustfield wrote:
> This may come across as out-of-topic but I'd like to make a few points..
> 
> I have used a large variety of distributions. If you see my laptop,
> it's a very trimmed down version of Ubuntu with a Command Line
> installation and the bare minimum I need. Often mistaken for Gentoo or
> Debian. The point being, I could achieve an even more powerful system
> if I were to use Gentoo. I've had Gentoo, LFS, Debian, Linux Mint,
> College Linux, CentOS, Fedora, SUSE, openSUSE, and around 40 others.
> 
> The number one reason I left all but 5 of those was usability. I left
> Gentoo and two others for fully different reasons than anything listed.
> When it comes down to it, I've stopped trying different distributions
> because I settled on Ubuntu.
> 
> I settled on Ubuntu because of the community behind it. I enjoy the
> usability behind it, the bleeding edge releases (I'm using Karmic), and
> Launchpad. However, it is solely the community that keeps me around.
> I've even voiced this point directly to sabdfl a while back.
> 
> If I were to be given the op privilege, upholding this point would feel
> that upholding that point would be an obligation. I do my best to help
> others when they bring a question to me. If I can't find the answer, I
> do my best to find it. In some way or another, I want to make sure the
> user is satisfied in the end.
> 
> One thing I see happening is a misunderstanding of new users. Not
> everyone has been around IRC and some issues come up because of this.
> I don't want to draw any specifics, but when I meet a new user like
> that, I do my best to educate them.
> 
> We all need to remember why we became an operator at all. I doubt you
> did it for the power. If I were to take a guess, it would be because
> you thought you could help the community further with the position. I'm
> not an op in any core #ubuntu channel, so perhaps my perception is
> wrong. Maybe you did do it just because you want to be the 'boss man'.
> 
> I think the key right now is to recognize that good ops have been lost
> due to conflicts. Then we can recognize that there are issues in the
> midst. Perhaps then we can schlep these issues out. Any other order is
> just going to bring us back to further issues.
> 
> I want to toss out an example. My glass is empty. I fill it up again to
> resolve the issue. Unfortunately it becomes empty again. I keep
> trying to fix the empty glass, but I can't get it. I see a hole and
> cover it. I fill it but it still goes empty. I finally realize the
> issue is many many holes. The holes are too many and I can fix each
> hole but it will be too hard. Instead I grab a new glass and my drink
> does not empty. If you really read what I said - that should make sense
> (no bashing required).
> 
> Remember, being an op is a privilege and a responsibility. To uphold
> the spirit of Ubuntu. To help when needed. To... (I'm only using common
> sense, I don't really know exactly what you guys say about it.)
> 


Can I please request that more pointless lectures and and "uphold the
prime directive" type speeches are put on the back burner and discuss
the issue/questions at hands.

I find this post quite offensive to the people who give up their time
and put the effort into the channels to have someone say "maybe you did
it to become the boss man"

I'm sorry if this is harsh, but I I want to put and end to more well
wishing lecturers quoting "the right answer" rather than contributing to
the discussion.

I again call for this to be discussed in a more professional and private
manner so that more well intended emails to not get included to cloud
the issue and so that people can feel comfortable talking freely and
actually put closure on the issues being discussed.

Matt