Jeff Herrings, currently the developer of the Renegade BBS software, announces that for a multiple number of reasons he will cease work on the Renegade BBS project and declare the lineage dead.
From: Jeff Herrings
Subject: Renegade R.I.P
Newsgroups: alt.bbs.renegade
Date: 2001-10-07 14:39:29 PST
Hello everyone.
As I sit here, I find myself wondering if what I am about to say and do
is perhaps either pre-mature or an honorable way to remember a great BBS
software. The fact of the matter is, I have been thinking this for quite
sometime now and regardless of how many times I think this thought, I find
myself coming up with the same answer(s).
When Cott Lang started Renegade BBS software, it was in my opinion as
well as many others I am sure, ahead of its time for any independent
programmer. Granted it might not have had a complex scripting language (PCB
for one) nor did it have it's own sharing/multi-tasking routines (TBBS - The
Bread Board System), however it did offer some of -the- best features with
easily understandable configuration menus and at a price that just could not
be beat (for free).
Several years after Cott produced this fine software, he had made a
decision due to numerous reasons (no reason to go over -any- of them again,
no reason at -all-) to cease programming while he was still ahead (or not).
At this time the persistence of Patrick Spence and Gary Hall paid off when
Cott agreed to allow them to continue Renegade development.
A few more years went on, while Patrick and Gary were hard at work
ensuring updates were released, in which Renegade lived on. Unfortunately
(and as you'll soon see it happens) due to time restraints and other things,
the desire and opportunity for them to continue work on Renegade was
noticeably decreasing.
In my search for love of Renegade, I found there was no "Y2K" patch
currently available and I wondered why (I later found of the time restraints
and lacking desire). I emailed Patrick inquiring if my assistance could be
offered to help a "Y2K" patch be released before far too long. He replied
and at this time we worked out that I could then carry the torch, with the
many responsibilities, headaches, thrills and sense of contribution that
brought with it.
I was to say the least absolutely thrilled that after -many- years of
contributing third party software for in my mind the best BBS software of
its kind, I could finally dive in and make updates and changes as I saw fit.
Those changes of course were always either implemented or thought about with
the best intentions in mind for all the Renegade BBS community.
However, they say history repeats itself and that it does. I find now,
more so in these past few weeks that I haven't the time nor desire to
continue work on Renegade BBS. The desire is not due to countless number of
emails (I am a bit glad I wasn't programming Renegade BBS during BBS prime
days of existence) I have received with pestering questions asking the
infamous "when is the next release, why are you taking so long, etc, etc."
(notice, I did NOT say the inquisitive emails, those I have never minded
what-so-ever), but instead that of respect for a once great BBS software
(which in my mind personally, will always be great), overwhelming family
occurrences (some related to the repercussions of the most recent incidents
against our country, mind you my wife is active military and is as I type
this in the middle of the ocean, where I do not know) and a hectic
move/business status.
So, out of respect for Renegade BBS (and those who contributed to it in
the past and present), those who used or use it and for myself... as of
today Sunday, October 7th, 2001 I bring the many chapters of Renegade BBS to
a close.
As always, I will continue to frequent BBS's via telnet and sometimes
dial-up whenever time permits. Those SysOp's that see me on their BBS's
know that I am usually on and off within a few minutes, though, I try to
make the best of those minutes, let it be via participation or just
nostalgic reasons.
With that said, I wish to thank EVERYONE that has ever been a part
and/or will continue to stay a part of the Renegade Community my best wishes
in anything and everything you do BBS related or not. The time for me was
enjoyable, very enjoyable time spent.
Sincerely,
Jeff Herrings
PS - I will continue to keep my word to Patrick Spence and in turn Cott Lang
by not offering the source code to anyone. I hope that you will only
understand and accept this decision out of respect of both Patrick, Gary and
myself giving our word to never make it public domain/source.
PSS - I might add that even by the time I find that I am able to work on
Renegade BBS (the completely re-vamped Windows/Unix flavor) other software
suites that are currently available have such an edge, due to time of
existence and time to devote, that if I were to have ever or would ever
release this version, those other suites would have been one, two or quite
possibly three steps ahead. This too was another, no matter how
insignificant, reason to lay Renegade BBS to rest.