With respect to the Maintainers

[Trylon]

From the look of it, some people already understood the message I was trying to convey. For the others, I will clarify a bit:
Recent events have led us all into new territory, and Cyan isn't nearly as present to answer questions as some would like. This leaves us in the awkward situation of having to figure things out together. We've seen a few discussions heat up, and though that isn't a bad thing in itself, we must guard ourselves not to get into a fight.
Writers are creative people who like to have all possibilities open, and fear to lose their freedom more than others. Partly that fear may be justified, but for a big part, it's that fear that sometimes prevents us from distinguishing simple structure from severe limitation.
(Though a wise man once said "Freedom without any limitations isn't freedom at all", and I do think he was right.)

Now from our Maintainer brothers, I hear that they feel like they're being bashed and branded as the big bad wolf trying to take away freedom.
Not that things have necessarily been said like that, or intended like that, but a thoughtless comment, or a fearful statement is very effective in carrying that sentiment.
Now all the while the maintainers have always been on guard not to become a police force, and have stated that many times (which is why they are more sensitive to statements implying the opposite). In the last 9 months they have proven to be our brothers and friends, so they deserve our respect, and consideration. (Though not our blind faith of course)

Of course I know that none of us would ever intentionally bash or brand the Maintainers, but in our fears we may write things that carry a different feeling than we intend it to convey.

Doubts and security issues should certainly be addressed and not kept to oneself!
We need to keep both eyes open!
But I'd like to ask of everyone of us to be on our guard in heated discussions, and always make sure that our posts are written respectfully.
We are after all, all on the same team.
Let's post "with respect, to the Maintainers" and to other Writers.

[Trylon]

Perhaps we are arguing and fighting well into the night because we have neglected to see each other's needs and motivations....? Maybe we should discuss those. What each needs from the partnership, and how to get there. Instead of eating the pie we have, can we make it larger and create more value for everyone? This way we get what we need and want and everyone is satisfied.

I think that would be a great idea.
We did try something like that more than half a year ago, but perhaps now is the time to restart that discussion.

[Chacal]

I use teachings from this bookeveryday at work. It helps me survive in a mixed environment of all types of persons. It defines 4 personality traits:
Extroverts vs Introverts
Sensates vs iNtuitives,
Feelers vs Thinkers,
Judgers vs Perceivers.

I just had a very painful meeting which went a little like this:

"Al" is the project architect for a new proposed software system for Initech. He is a iNtuitive-Feeler-Perceiver type.
"Bob" is a software analyst for Initech. he is a Sensate-Thinker-Judger type.

AL: "We have only 10 days for this proof of concept, so we're going to cut corners and have all services on the same two servers, otherwise we won't make it before the deadline."
Bob: "The organizational architectural orientation is to separate services in layers: presentation, process, data."
Al: "I understand this. However this has been approved because of the short delay"
Bob: "It must conform with the organizational architectural orientations."
Al: "Yes but in a proof of concept it is acceptable to differ from the model."
Bob: "Yes but this is not how we do it. We have architectural orientations."
Al: "Yes I know! The solution in production will conform! This is just a disposable proof of concept in a lab. Timing is critical. We only want to demonstrate the capabilities of the software."
Bob: "Yes but capabilities can only be demonstrated in an environment that conforms to the organizational architectural orientations."

After about an hour of this I stepped in and imposed a solution. I always have to find a middle ground. It's an incomfortable position, sitting on the fence: the NFP sees me as a STJ, and the STJ sees me as a NFP. It is hard to work with both. However it is easier for me to work with the NFPs, because they don't try to change the way I work. The "Judger" part of STJ types is the annoying part, otherwise they're easy to work with because they're more predictable than the NFPs.

I guess when in GoW I'm acting NFP more than my usual self.

Maybe this has a relation to Trylon's post, or maybe I just had to vent after my meeting...

[Nynaveve]

Ah, the classic Meyers-Briggs personality ratings. I haven't tested myself lately in that version of the personality/temperament scale. I did just do a different one a week ago that uses Melancholy, Choleric, Phlegmatic, and Sanguine. That was interesting. At any rate, the one thing I've noticed after testing every few years is that your personality changes. You ebb and flow throughout your life. As you get older, you actually begin to take on more personalities as you learn to adapt in multiple situations. Some situations call for being mellow, others for being controlling, and so on. Supposedly your ability to demonstrate different personalities in various situations is some indicator of your maturity, but uh.... I'm not so sure about that.

I feel for you though, Chacal. I swear, sometimes my coworkers do the same thing and I just have to smack 'em around a bit, so to speak. Yet I'm sure I also have plenty of my own moments. LOL

[Chacal]

I understand you want to change your personnality type, but it is against our architectural orientation.

[Nynaveve]

Yes, but we need to take shortcuts to get this done. GAWWWSH!