I’ve spent a lot of time contributing to this community, even after the recent injustices. I’m sure there are plenty of people who think I should just go away, but their opinions don’t matter. The truth is, I care too much about the open-source community and FreePBX to stand by quietly while it’s treated poorly—like some neglected dog in an ASPCA commercial.
During my forced absence, I noticed discussions about changes to trust levels and how they might affect people. Today, I experienced that firsthand. While trying to help by marking a solution in a thread, I realized I couldn’t do it. It turns out my trust level has been reduced.
This is frustrating, especially as someone who has been part of this community for over a decade and has written what might amount to half the code in FreePBX. I can only assume that removing community contributions is seen as some form of job security.
However, this approach feels counterproductive, especially when the very existence of FreePBX—and by extension, your job—relies on the community. Treating contributors this way doesn’t foster trust or growth; it drives people away. Open source thrives on collaboration, not gatekeeping.
In compliance with CoC spelling and grammar of original content checked by online tools which use AI
I am just a user, no expert. English is not my first language, so I might not sound sensitive enough
But don’t you think that some of your posts from last year led to this? Do you really think that your endless criticism will result in a good outcome?
To me it looks like if you and your Clearly** friends want to take over freePBX from Sangoma…without paying for it.
Is this really a realistic plan? I would prefer if you discuss this privately with the Sangoma guys.
Per the “Understanding Discourse Trust Levels” Discourse blog post by @codinghorror from 2018:
To get to trust level 3, in the last 100 days…
…
Must not have been suspended or silenced in the last 6 months
All accounts with locked trust levels, special group membership, etc., are periodically reviewed and updated to help users – particularly new users – navigate the site and find accurate, relevant, up-to-date information about FreePBX. This includes accounts that are suspended or silenced in accordance with the Code of Conduct – which was last updated in September 2024 and can be seen in the “Using The Forums” category if you scroll down far enough to the “FAQ/Guidelines” post from almost over four months ago.
Honestly, @jfinstrom posts may have been critical but I don’t recall him stepping over lines (that much if any). They also addressed real issues that need(ed) addressing.
@jfinstrom is a share holder and a contributor to the project, the criticism (again) was about actual issues that someone needed to be critical about.
You’re conflating everyone else calling for ClearlyIP to fork the project or engage with Sangoma over purchasing the project. No one at ClearlyIP is jumping over themselves to take the project from Sangoma. From what I’ve taken away in all this, there’s actually a few that would rather not lay eyes on the project again.
When you care about something you fight for it. When you believe in something you stand up even when it’s not popular or convenient. I ALWAYS do what I feel is right no matter who is watching and no matter the consequences. It would be a better world if people’s actions weren’t performative and simply self serving. You will note when banned how I didn’t create a new account and come back under different names. It’s because you lose all high ground and any sense of respect from others when you do whatever you want regardless of rules.
This seems like an ad hominem attacks I wonder if it will survive. Probably. If you look at all the replies to the massive demand for a fork the company I work for has consistently resisted these calls. Also I did a post not long ago of all the reasons I’m against a fork. It doesn’t fit the narrative of some folks but I AM A SHAREHOLDER AND I WANT SANGOMA TO SUCCEED. I WANT FREEPBX TO SUCCEED
In this image you see David a former Sangoma exec, @jsmith when he worked for Digium and myself when I worked at Rhino. 3 people from competing companies all getting along in the same space and building a community together. There is no need to be cut throat there is plenty of marketshare. There always has been. We can all succeed.
That picture was taken at the first ever Open Source Teainimg class for FreePBX and was hosted by Ward Mundy in South Carolina.
It was myself, @plindheimer and @jsmith who got all 3 competing companies to come together for the first time ever. I have always been the ultimate unity guy and bringing together competitors for a common goal of open source telephony.
