On 10/7/2021 at 1:43 PM, maktos said:
I would make one correction to your above quote: RIGHTFULLY making suppositions.
Considering that in 100 out of 100 cases, no update after a DOWNER or BAD NEWS post means "I can't honestly say anything that will rule out your worst fears, at this time".
Again: it wasn't my idea to post a major public announcement calling into question the whole project, the plan thus far, the feasibility of this project, and its future existence. David really seemed to put all options on the table. Even cancelling the project -- he didn't say outright that was the case (in fact he said the opposite), but everything he said in his post tends to support the idea that "this project is cancelled" or at least "I can't see a solution at this time, to bring this product to market as originally promised". Do you understand what I'm saying? He has admitted publicly HE HAS NO PLAN and he hasn't added anything over the weeks to say, "Ok, we've worked out a plan, guys..." even if that plan is to take 5 more years. We have NOTHING. I'm just stating a fact here.
If David knew what the heck he was going to do, to bring this thing to market he would have posted an update. That's not just one or two people jumping to such a conclusion, but that is the NATURAL, NORMAL conclusion based on logic and the facts as they are known publicly.
Considering that it doesn't cost anything to post an update. A simple "We are looking into a new source of components so we can start selling kits", "We dropped the idea of the Commander X8", or "We are currently developing an FPGA version of the Commander X16" doesn't time time OR money to post. If he has not posted such, there is a REASON he has not posted it. It is not by accident.
You can't say that you are rightfully making a supposition unless you have 100% knowledge. I certainly don't have 100% knowledge. I suspect I know more about it than you do (I don't have 100% knowledge on that, just a guess), but I'm not a member of the team or a spokesperson for the team. And whatever I *do* know is a drop in the bucket.
Would having more information be nice? Yes. Would some people twist that information? Yes. Is it worth it to the person who would provide that information? Only that person can say. I know for myself, it might not be worth it when I didn't have anything concrete to provide yet because the last public information I provided was that the VERA designer was looking at making something closer to the x16, and that has been less than two months.
The MEGA65 project has been in progress for what, 5 or 6 years? Maybe 7? And they are only just getting their first "released" version out at the end of this year (I hope). They've also not shared info as often as many would like. Didn't keep them from finishing.
As for the cost to post an update: If you only look at the incremental amount that must be paid to make a post, then I guess you are technically correct. The opportunity cost of "do I spend several hours trying to craft a post that cannot be misconstrued or misunderstood when I don't have all the facts yet, given the number of people who are already misconstruing or misunderstanding previous posts" or "do I work on videos and merchandise and games while other people who have expertise work to solve problems" seems like a easy choice from some points of view.
You go ahead and think whatever you want. If you want to believe the sky is falling, that's fine. I'm excited for the x16 whenever it happens.
As for the reason why no new posts from David here I think it's simple: He is a busy guy who has a lot of irons in the fire. When he has info to share, he will gladly share it. Until then he focuses his time and energy on productive tasks.