Mark isn't just writing polite words.  My experience, at least, worked exactly like that.  I haven't been here in a while, because abcl just works for me and has for a long time.  But there was a time (~5 years ago) when abcl *didn't* work for me.  This list was incredibly helpful during that time, and helped me transform naive suggestions into things that worked for both me and abcl.  The process wasn't entirely easy:  there were problems with both what I wanted to do *and* with abcl, but the list (and numerous off list exchanges) helped me work things out.  Since then my application has sat in it's (virtual) corner just doing it's job day after day, and I have had a need to really push abcl.  But the experience was so positive that I still use abcl in situations it might not be ideal for, just because I like it and this community so much.

Obviously, everybody will have different needs and experiences.  I apologize for keeping this thread alive, and I certainly don't want to discount any body else's experience with the maintainers.  But as I read this I thought it's a bit sad that they only hear from outsiders when things aren't working!

-david