Maybe we could change plan # 2 as follows: * The local EARN expert has to live by himself, without Eric's help. This is not worse than plan #1, and this way Eric has not to give any maintenance to EARN, not even indirectly. * EARN still gets updates from Eric, maybe thru the EARN expert or not, and *for these updates* Eric receives or not some money. We could say "only for updates which add significant new function", or something like that. I find it important that EARN has to PAY something, even if it's on a non-regular basis or a simbolic amount of money, to signify that the fact they are receiving updates is not part of Natural Law and can cease some day, depending of EARN's involution and/or other causes. But Eric no longer gets paid regularly or for maintenance by EARN. If this was acceptable, we could at least avoid the backbone splitting; and EARN would still get CODE from Eric, if not support. If the support would be defficient, the Postmaster should contact his BoD member, who could take appropriate action... Jose Maria