We think between the trouble that has been caused by the corruption of MorphOS.net and this article that appeared today in France this community should finally begin to understand what we went through and why there were so may problems. You will now begin to understand what happened with Pretory and consequently Thendic-France if you have followed the story. This is not some cloak and dagger novel, this is a true story and we lived it. We discovered a connection to terrorism in Pretory. Through a sub-contractor this led to money-laundering, drug trafficking and mercenary activity. We discovered the active involvement of officials in the French Government and we filed the report in June (referenced below) that began to expose the situation. We left France because we were told from officials in the Matignon that our safety could not be assured. It had nothing to do with all the other speculation generated in the French Presse or on other websites. When we were at SNDF Europe Jon Swain the author of the book, The River of Time, which became the movie, The Killing Fields, came to see us. Will he write a book about this? We are not sure yet. Paul Webster of the Guardian had started one, but he died in March 2004 of a sudden heart attack.

Here is the article that appeared in France:

LeParisien

Can you see why the attention was diverted? Can you understand the implications? We built up a solid Company with a good reputation. BDO, our Auditors, did not see the problems, but when we found them we investigated and one revelation led to the next and so on.

As for the whole morphos.net episode, this may or may not kill MorphOS as a desktop system. We will do our best to insure there is a 1.5 release. Sadly, this situation has proven to our bigger partners why open source, unless a development is tightly controlled, is a better approach in some respects and have for the moment eliminated MorphOS from our strategic partnership discussions.

Very sincerely,
Raquel and Bill

During the period of non payment of the corrupters of morphos.net did you make sure that company expenses were kept to a minimum - e.g. budget flights, staying in best western hotels etc?

Hello Raquel & Bill,

You have my complete support for the future.

Best regards,

Tcheko.

Ok, It's realy clear now.
You dont had chance with this story.

I Wish for you more chance in the futur and long life for Morphos.

Yes, TreeBeard. BTW, it is our personal money we are spending and not any one else's. We have no venture investors besides ourselves. We fund the Pegasos production, pay the salaries we can, and sell and market MorphOS and the Pegasos in any way we can with our money and resources. Please keep that in mind.

There are many people who have worked very hard under very difficult conditions to get this far. We all share the same dream and with the support of a strong community we still think we can make it.

R&B

[ Edited by bbrv on 2004/11/18 17:38 ]

@ bbrv

I understand (but it's difficult to comprehend - like you say, it's like a movie or something, not anything anyone experience in real life).

What I don't understand is how you managed to find the mental strength to continue to push forward, even though your personal security was threattened, your creation and strategies was at least partially falling apart, you lost your fortune, and all this while certain people blamed you for all kinds of misery and misfortune, often on a very disturbing personal (instead of professional) level. If it would have been me, I would probably just have rolled over and called it a day. But you have always continued to push forward, always tried to find new ways, mend what could be mended, and actually managed to push the Pegasos platform to new heights.

People who themselves achieve nothing and not contributes with anything positive for the platform, has no right to condemn (because that is what certain people does - condemn) those who actually tries, those who actually achieve something. Yet they do it.

Of course, when people does not get paid (and fear they will never get their money), they get, eh ... "annoyed" ;). That is natural, and it's something we all can understand, even you. But personally, I choose to look at this at a professional level, from a "helicopter perspective", and not emotional in any way. I don't blame anyone for anything (not you, not these developers, not anyone else), because I am not in a position where I neither can nor want to blame anyone. Instead I am grateful to you all, to everyone that has been a part of the creation of this wonderful platform.

I am sure you have done the best you could at the given premiss. I am also confident that you have always had the ambitions to pay any debts whenever you can, since you have a very fine and proven track record (before this Pretory misery) of paying people good money for their services. If that won't be enough, if certain people feels they can't wait another day, that the cup now is full to the brim, and you can't come to a settlement in any way -- then too bad, but at least you tried. I applaud you for that. Not everyone tries this hard as you have.

Anyway, thank you for your major(!) part of making this platform and community to what it is today, and thank you for keep going in these strong headwinds. We are many who are very grateful for your efforts, don't forget that!

(BTW, you two must be the most stubborn people I have seen)

[ Edited by takemehomegrandma on 2004/11/18 18:24 ]

Sure, so when Freescale pay up are you going to be able to settle in part or in full those who have been forced onto the breadline through Genesi being unable to pay them? Fix the morphos situation? Or will you walk on by and go for an open source alternative?

@takemehomegrandma

Touching eulogy.

[ Edited by TreeBeard on 2004/11/18 17:33 ]

Quote:

If I would have been in charge then I would try to find a balance between clearing old debts and investing in new production runs and new developments. If I had to choose between using *all* money to pay debts, at the peril of the company as a whole (putting all efforts from all people during these years in jeopardy), or securing future evolvement and growth with a bigger chance of paying even more people in the future, then I would prioritize *the company* without hecitation.

How would you have done if you would have been in charge? Paying *a few* developers everything they demand right now, or invest in new production runs to be able to pay them, as well as *other* people (both old and new employees), in the future?

TreeBeard, (edited on the counsel of Mikko )

We have made things very clear. It is our ambition to settle everything from the past that is a valid claim and move ahead to the future in a positive manner.

R&B

[ Edited by bbrv on 2004/11/18 19:45 ]

Nobody needs to go anywhere. Just keep the conversation civilized.

@ who ever wants to read this

From what I can see from the majority of complainers and whiners is that they have no understanding of what it means to be in a startup business. There is risk, you may not get paid, that is the choice *you* make to be a part of a *startup business*. Give it a rest and if you don't have anything to say that is construct to the conversation just move on.

My 2 bits.

--Mithalas

@TreeBeard
If you're not part of the solution you're part of the problem... So what is your role in here!?
--

What exactly those people who never had a vest (the slightest) interest in MorphOS are so eagering to appear when they smell doom on it?

What of any help those fellows bring to the situation? And why there are so many of those these days!?

@Pixie

Actually the flow of new members hasn't changed all that much from what it used to be. Events like this always attract people, I am amazed we havent broken the 1400 barrier yet :)

@Mythalas: In a such small market as Peg/MorphOS where it's so hard to bring new users, taking care of the community is (one of) the most important things to do.

In a bigger and "normal" market (ie: not only composed of fans), people won't "whine", they will just LEAVE the plateform...

Leo.

[ Edited by Leo on 2004/11/18 17:55 ]

Hum maybe we will have some secret agent story soon
I've read the article and nothing sounds strange, just some islamic connections...
Nothing related to the current MOs Team situation. But be aware!!! (Jean Claude Vandamme) lolllll

u have my full support...

I don't see any need to be so hostile.

> If you're not part of the solution you're part of the problem...

Is up there with George W Bushes "You are either for us or against us".

> So what is your role in here!?

To find out if this Pegasos 2 should be put on eBay before its too late to get a decent price for it.

Would you prefer if I asked these questions on ANN?

Quote:

Yeah right, it's only the reason behind this whole situation ...

@ Leo

What in any sense does my statement have to do with market? I spoke strictly on startup businesses, and the risk that is involved. Either they will make it or they wont. Thats the plain and simple truth to the matter. As far as this you owe me a couple thousand or you owe them a couple thousand I could care less about. I'm not apart of that discussion, thats between the person that owes and the person that is ecpecting the pay. As far as whining goes, I have never seen more whining than in the "Amiga" market/community. The Linux/Windows whining is almost there but by per capita the percentace (IMO) is less on the whining. Now that I've ranted please actully consider what I was talking about not focusing on one part and pulling it out of context.

Sincere Thanks.

-removed-

[ Edited by -D- on 2004/11/26 0:54 ]

@Mithalas

Well said

Anyone know this communication tactic when you send many informations to forget the main subject?

What's a pity

@Mithalas: For the percentage of "whinners" in the Amiga "community", please refer to my latest post (most non-happy people don't waste time whining in Win/Linux market, they just leave this market for another one).

Now you may consider be back to the topic.

Leo.

[ Edited by Leo on 2004/11/18 20:48 ]

Quote:

"samface"

@Leo

What else can I say. :)