Hi Francois (aka Francois Goret [mailto:fg@siamecommerce.com]):
You wrote (last Saturday, December 07, 2002 7:03 PM):
1. Take a look at the Linux kernel dev list: not really democratic !!! Linus is a "benevolent dictator", he takes decisions quick and the whole project move forward.
I would judge him as a “quick yet wise decision maker” not a dictator;
otherwise, noone will work with the core linux group, even linux itself will
not flourish if that is the case…
- Now think about democracy at work, like for example ISO standard
organization. After 10 years (or so), you have… C++
then they do not have leaders… or maybe all of them are 
So, in and only in the context of Open Source
projects, it seems that
a good and strong dictator is a feature. Once He voiced His
opinions
oops. That doesn’t mean that we do not have the right to question or voice a
counter opinion. Everyone is fallible… that is why there is a community…
, better
move forward.
ruby thru its guidance fr the author and coregroup can move forward
anytime…
Yet if the (seemingly newbie & sometimes absurd) questions/query/issue
raised can “hinder” ruby’s development, where then should one ask…? 
btw, this thread by itself, is being democratic
Francois
Many thanks Francois for opening up.
Kind regards,
-botp