It is time for a new bonus pack..

It is time for a new bonus pack. There was talk about BP 4 back in 2005 so we really need to get on the ball.

z33z and LIJI have released packs but these are not really the same as multideveloper bonus packs per say.

I would personally like to get my extensions out but the lack of testing has slowed me down considerably (not to mention when I post bugs and have to wait for them to be fixed).

I would like to see renewed leadership and direction. I would like to see an active EDT again or otherwise I should leave as I am wasting my now highly valuable time.

I would personally like to see the EDT become partners in the effort to build a better product. I would like to see more interaction and involvement towards MMF 2 itself. I would like to see a world in which the developers can help with developments. My countdown ticks by and soon there will be change, whether it is positive or negative is left up to the actions that we persue in the present towards the future.

I can no longer afford to sit idley in the dark, patiently waiting for change. I want to see this company succeed but I also have the desire to accomplish things. I do not see accomplishments anymore here but waiting and waiting! The EDT used to be an exciting place of innovation but not it is a desolate wasteland!

We as a community need to figure out a deadline and get a pack out. I would say that July 30th should be our target. I would like to have a pack out the door on or before July 30th.

If there are no plans for Bonus Packs in the future then I would like to know so I can release my extensions to the public on my own.

Thank you.

I fully agree.
I'm waiting for the BP4/PBP for a "few" months in order to release some extensions I planned for it. (ARCO2 is ready, Key object is coming soon)

Thank you :). It is nice to know that another developer shares some of my concerns.

It has been quite a long time since I have done such a rant and I felt that it was due :) . I have been part of this community for years and yet I still cause so much trouble :( , I don't like doing it, it just needs to be done occasionally.

I personally believe that such rants are a benefit. Sure they may be harsher then needed and they may be slightly immature at times (Although this point can be debated ;) ). However they get the points across and they get people thinking. Even if they get people mad at me then they have still bothered to read the rant ,and as a result the ideas have invaded their brain like little green men. Eventually one of them will cause an impact even if it takes millions :D .

Well, maybe the developers should just first update their posts in this thread, or post info about their extensions if they haven't posted yet. ;)

http://www.clickteam.com/epicenter/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=34045&page=1#Po st34045

And maybe Novabrain could push them. ;)

Or maybe you would like to handle the making of this bonus pack? It should me more efficient if you have time to do it...

I agree that if a bonus pack is not released quickly, developers should release their extensions on their own.

Sweet, I wouldn't mind doing such a thing. The problem is that people rarely listen to me because I am insane :( .

I guess if people want to get a bonus pack out then I can help put one together. I just want to see progress being made.

As far as Novabrain's post goes... Doh! That's what I get for searching the old forums and not bothering to search the new ones :( . I guess it is a bit late to meet the March deadline but posts kind of stopped and there was no follow up.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Yves

I agree that if a bonus pack is not released quickly, developers should release their extensions on their own.

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That's why I have released "Sphax ExifReader"... I had no patience to wait since it was finished...

Hi Vortex - go for it. I'm sure Novabrain will back you up creating the next bonus pack and give you any support you need.

If it helps provide a catalyst for others to get their extensions completed too, you're sure to have neough to make up a full release pack.

I'm ready and waiting to help in any way I can with Fusion Dynamics. As soon as you get a version in beta state I'll keep those bug reports coming as fast as you want them :D

I am more used to an organic flow to this process. Really.

As you all know, and the first three BP's attest to, the whole thing went rather smoothly and successfully with myself as a more transparent Director, but an active instigator of new extensions and an avid tester and suggester.

We had sufficient testing and I think all the released extensions were not only stable, (ready for any final bugs to be found in the wild) but rather well thought-out and feature packed.

Keep in mind that each pack took many months to complete and dozens of new extensions were on queue at one time, so there were many that became ripe and could be assembled into packs without much need for prodding or pushing in a managerial way. I really enjoyed that and it was extremeply productive.

So, that was then and this is now. Some current extensions here were developed but released independently, some are in progress for a BP, and others are contracted. I would expect the contracted extensions to be completed in a timely manner and have already indicated that. They are a separate issue here and about fulfillment of a contract.

Extreme delays on contracted extensions prevent more from being initiated by myself or others because we are not going to contract many at one time. When they are completed, we certainly have some good ideas waiting to be assigned.

As I have posted about a deadline in my unimposing manner, (after all those who are doing free work don't need a boss) and it was not met, I was still confident that we would get the current queue done and we could just get to posting the candidates for the first, Platinum BP.

I really don't know if ultimatums are useful here. Honestly. I prefer the EDT to be a more casual, voluntary, self-starter group where the point and purpose is clear: suggest, create, test, release. That is what benefits the community.

So, what can be done to improve this situation? What is holding developers back? What can I or CT do to improve the productivity and results so that everyone can share in the gratification of a publication?

Oh, and let me add:

I think the process has been pointed out before. When you feel that your extension is completed and you have your materials ready, (help file and examples) then all you have to do is note it in the EDT and send those materials and your source code to Yves.

Since we have a new forum structure here, I would suggest that you post that your extension is final and being sent in your extensions sub-forum and make the title clear: COMPLETED: myextensionname. You can also alert me with a PM.

I will then create a sticky in this area and list them so that we can all keep track of how many and when a pack has formed.

That is a well thought out response, however it is quite apparent that this process is no longer working.

Hopefully this will inspire developers to get their stuff ready and we can launch July 30th or earlier.

I do a lot of contract work and deadlines are something that I work with. If I don't have a deadline verus a project that does, then the project without the deadline simply won't get done.

I could make a bonus pack and put it together if I had the technology and the knowledge to do so. I would need Yves' assistance in this manner but hopefully we can work together to get a new pack out.

I am in contact with a lot of the developers on a regular basis so I am sure I can help get people going and I can also help get extensions finished up and released.

I think just cause the process is currently broken it cannot be fixed :)

So I would say get the other post upto date, and im sure if there is enough bonus pack material, then lets get it released.

I think its good if the users could release there own user based object packs, we would still advertise them, and if we were provided with source code could allow them to be vitalise etc in the future.

I would actually like to see a small direction change in bonus packs, and would like to start to see themed or bonus packs with specific objects within them.

The reason i say this is that I personally wouldnt want to see 100 bonus packs, I would rather see 10 with really fantastic objects in them. Thats not to say the objects that are being made are not quality but as a user I dont want to open up MMF and see 300 objects to choose from.

So perhaps it does require a different approach? EDT released packs for those that want to release them, with CT having access to the source for future proofing and vitalise, and then CT released bonus packs.

Ideas welcome :)

Jason

Themed packs are a nice idea. I would like to see developers get access to the technology so they can create their own packs :) .

I also don't see a problem with hundreds of extensions so long as they serve a purpose and are well organized. The more functionality the better ;). Perhaps themed packs would be better from a standpoint of developers getting the extensions they need and not the ones they don't though.