MT32-pi Developer Quit - WTF?!?

[rhester72]

Saw a random video on YouTube this morning that triggered me to check whether there'd been any MT32-pi updates I might have missed, and stumbled upon this in the github from less than a day ago:

Please note
It's unlikely that there will be any further releases of mt32-pi.

I have endured a sustained campaign of abuse from members of the VOGONS forum, been labelled a "clout-chaser", had threats sent to my personal email address, code been used in other projects without proper accreditation, my 3D print designs stolen and sold by faceless eBay/Etsy sellers, personal attacks made towards me when people don't get their feature request... the list goes on and on.

There is only so much I can take.

My mental health has been in decline as a direct result of this behavior; the joy of working on this project has pretty much gone. There is nothing to be gained from putting time and hard work into it any more. There is no gratitude, no encouragement - just entitled behavior and grift.

To those who supported this project in the past, especially whilst I was a struggling student who needed all the uplift I could get, thank you sincerely.

OMG...what?!?

A casual search of Vogons:

https://www.vogons.org/search.php?st=0& ... ds=mt32-pi

doesn't produce much at all to suggest what may have happened (though to be fair, it sounds like a lot of the communication may have been private).

There does seem to be a project utilizing MT32-pi called TM32:

https://www.vogons.org/viewtopic.php?p=1327644

utilizing a 3D-printed case that may relate to the "my 3D print designs stolen" (I wasn't previously aware Dale had done any!), but that's pure guesswork based on timing of Vogons posts.

Wow. I don't even know what to say. I had no idea such drama was even going on, and I'm genuinely worried about the author.

If anyone has any further knowledge about this, please share.

[TheJesusFish]

The internet was/is/continues to be a mistake.

[NinjaWarrior]

Unfortunately, in this world we have to deal with people who take pleasure in the suffering of others every day. The internet is no different from the 'real' world, it just mimics it and has the advantage of being impersonal and anonymous. Anyone who comes into contact with people is always exposed to these evils: in our work, in our building, in our school, in our town, in our class, in our family... Abuse is always present in our lives and we must be strong against these scoundrels. Mental health is as important as physical health and the internet is taking its toll on us.

These dramas are toxic, they breed discouragement and they end projects. The people involved also need to learn to ignore what takes away their enthusiasm and community work.

Having said all that, I don't know what happened in this particular case and who is right or wrong. But I am sad to see that the author of mt32-pi has stopped development due to deteriorating mental health. I hope he will continue in the future.

[aberu]

the author of mt32-pi is clearly in the right here, he can decide to do whatever he wants with his time and owes us nothing

[RetroSwim]

I say this as a VOGONS-er of 15 years:

As much as I love the place, that person's experience isn't surprising.

There's a section of the community (not even just within VOGONS, but most places in the retro computer/games sphere) that get irrationally angry about people enjoying games "the wrong way". At one end of the spectrum, they "helpfully" tell newbies "don't bother" playing a console unless you go all in on a giant CRT TV with SCART, without a hint of sarcasm. At the other end, stuff like what the MT-32 Pi person has experienced. Projects being sabotaged in order to... What? Gatekeep, I guess?

Part of me wants to give these people the benefit of the doubt, we don't know what's going on in their lives that makes them this cranky and self-righteous. But when it drives people away like this, it's actively harmful to the community.

Feels bad. Hope the author finds happiness.

[jordi]

internet is crowded of stupid people, he should ignore them for his own sake. There are a lot of people (like me) that use and absolutely appreciate the huge advance he did for the community of MIDI and retrogaming.

[bazza_12]

This is incredibly sad. Dale is a genuinely wonderful person who put so much effort into the mt32-pi. I only had the chance to speak with him a few times on social media, just after he released the device, but he was always helpful, inspiring, and deeply knowledgeable.

These kinds of bully tactics and threats completely undermine the spirit of the community we've built here—a space where everyone can contribute, support one another, and share knowledge. To be honest, I worried that as the project gained more mainstream attention, it might become a double-edged sword. More users can drive development forward, but they can also place greater demands on developers.

What’s happened here is completely unacceptable—no one should feel entitled to make demands, steal ideas, issue threats, or pressure someone who is generously creating something for free, purely for the benefit of others.

I truly appreciate everything Dale has contributed and, (hope I'm not out of line by) speaking for the vast majority of MiSTer users, I can confidently say that his work is valued and never taken for granted. Wishing him all the best.

[crusher]

This is so sad to read

MT32-Pi is so important for me to enjoy with my Retro DOS computer. Back in the days a real Roland MT32 was too expensive for me. Nowadays they're hard to get and still expensive though.
With MT32-Pi I can enjoy all supported DOS games with the brilliant MT32 sound without the need for a real device.

I'm wishing Dale all the best for his future life!

[NegSol]

Sad day! I will always appreciate his contribution to not only MiSTer but also Midi Music Community! MT32-pi is an asset.

[allyourbasekris]

Dale is amazing. It's a shame he's been treated this way but if this is the best way to preserve his mental health, then I support his decision. If you spot this Dale thank you for everything you've done for the community and keep yourself right. I use my mt32-pi everytime I use my mister and still marvel at how good it is.

[seastalker]

I heard about this today in Lu's Retro source. I have a MT32-pi and love it and am very appreciative of it. I had no idea even that there are potential updates to it, nor about any drama in the scene.

I totally get it why Dale would choose to quit, so EQUALLY so, I'd like to say:

"Thank you Dale for your truly spectacular work here on MT32-PI and I hope you read this. I'm not asking you to change your mind, but I do hope (at least retroactively) you get the appreciation and respect that you so earned. I can only hope my one comment is a stepping stone of many to fuel you towards your next interest. Sincere thanks to you!"

[pgimeno]

Well, feeling my part of responsibility for not having publicly expressed in past my admiration for the amazing work done by the author, I'd like to do it even if it's too late. This work of love has brought a lot of enjoyment to my experience with some of the cores, and I'm very grateful for it. So, a big thank you.

And I'm pretty sure there's a whole lot more people who never publicly voiced the same sentiment, but that feel it nevertheless.