Food for thoughts.
In 24 months of existence, ** ** www.ps3xploit.net > Domain no Longer owned by team** (NEW URL = http://ps3toolset.com) > Domain no Longer owned by team** (NEW URL = http://ps3toolset.com received 227 bucks in donations from 29 people, I would like to express my sincerest thanks to them, it goes without saying but it's better said, you know who you are.
The ** ** www.ps3xploit.net > Domain no Longer owned by team** (NEW URL = http://ps3toolset.com) > Domain no Longer owned by team** (NEW URL = http://ps3toolset.com hosting/domain costs of the first 3 years have barely been covered by donations to date, the renewal in October is still a question mark.
During those 2 years, ** ** www.ps3xploit.net > Domain no Longer owned by team** (NEW URL = http://ps3toolset.com) > Domain no Longer owned by team** (NEW URL = http://ps3toolset.com served dozens of thousands of PS3 users all over the world with very little down time, I don't have the exact numbers in front of me right now, but it's a fair amount.
The server was attacked several times over that time and the Toolset was hacked at least once, possibly more, nothing unusual for a project that can never really be secure by nature.
I have always said that the PS3 Toolset was first and foremost a private project for the long term, the repository of the various tools I would develop on the way to attempting to gain full control of all models from OFW, that hasn't changed, the ambition is still intact.
What has changed though is that what I had hoped to be a private project whose usage would be shared with the public has become a weight on my shoulders.
Making public release worthy tools takes 10x longer or more than what I would spend for myself privately, hence the recurring delays.
If we add to this, first that funding is a constant problem because there's not enough donations to keep the project alive, and second the fact that I now also have to worry about security due to scammers, wannabes and fellow hackers redistributing and/or rebranding my code.
It's becoming a burden I am not sure I want to keep bearing alone, not forgetting Jason who gets a share of it too.
Consequently I have decided to put all public projects releases on hold for the time being while I consider my options and the fate of the PS3 Toolset project sharing concept.
The PS3 Toolset 1.2 update roll out is cancelled, it will remain private at least temporarily as I will not deploy it so it gets pillaged again..
Some might say, this will send people over to clones or whatever, I really don't care, the size of the user base has never been a priority for me so there's no down side, people will do whatever pleases them and live thereafter with the consequences of their choices, just like I do, and that seems fair to me.
As long as they understand they will have to get their tech support, updates and new features from someone else too from then on, I don't have a problem with it, good luck to them.
Finally, instead of the planned 1.2 rollout, I might just add 4.89 support to Toolset 1.1 at some point and leave things at that without fixes or new features until further notice.
As for the Toolset users, I want to say to them it's been quite fun to develop all this, some of it I made for you guys, not for me, you owe me nothing though, I wanted to give you as best I could, that was the whole point behind the extra work and all in all I am quite proud of all the progressive achievements culminating privately in Toolset 1.2.
It's been a chaotic but instructive ride, however it seems to me that we find ourselves at a crossroads, you and me all have a choice to make, the project needs help to remain online, support the project and you might see it live or don't and you definitely won't, your support or lack thereof will carry much weight in my decision.