If funding the operation of the server that provides access to some of the sharpest--and most experienced--minds in the industry can be considered a dictatorship, then...yes, you are. On the other hand, if you choose to view it as ensuring that said access remains available, then it's really a no brainer.

Think about it. What sort of control does anyone have over c.l.p.m? How about /.? None at all. At least here, you have a chance to contribute more than just content.

Or would you prefer to pay $40--per conversation--for the priviledge of speaking to someone who may or may not have basic training in the tool you're using to pay your bills?

What I find frustrating is the knowledge that I've personally contributed more than 10% of the total collections reported in the Offering Plate. (Well, okay, I also find other things frustrating, but we can discuss that screed another day.)

If the way this site is run bothers you that much (and it appears to, given that the prior discussion appears to have made no difference), you could always register a domain name (I note that democraticperl.com is available as of this writing), install your preferred noding package, and run it the way you see fit. One of the beauties of the free-enterprise system is that there's always room for someone with a better idea to try it out.

We'll miss you around here, of course, but if that's what you want to do, I wish you the best of luck.

By the way, I should mention that (like vroom, merlyn, and many, many others) I run my own technical information site (deliberately unlinked as a) it's mostly off-topic and b) the Perl stuff desparately needs to be re-written). And I am very careful (read: controlling) about what gets posted. While I'm not the only content creator, it's my (real) name in the WHOIS registry and on most of the bylines. Given that, I wish to ensure that the material presented is as accurate and complete as possible. If that makes me a dictator in your eyes, so be it. That's your choice.

However, another title may also apply: editor. If you've worked with a professional publication team, then you know that editors care about expressing accurate information well. Yes, the original authors lose a little control over their creativity when they submit materials for publication, but since I'm paying the bills and giving away the content (without banners or affiliations), I feel perfectly justified in my stand. Feel free to disagree; that's another beauty that we enjoy: the freedom to hold, express, and (preferably) learn from different views.

I'm not saying that vroom is editing our posts, but am perfectly comfortable with the idea that he has the power--and option--to do so. Personally, the fact that he's delegated some of those duties reassures me. The fact that he's added community-driven moderation tools for maintaining node quality tells me that he is not a dictator, but a team player interested in providing a place for like minded people to gather and share their experiences, frustrations, and knowledge in the name of mastering Perl and using it well.

Speaking of which, can we get back to the tasks at hand?

--f