It's a difficult topic. Nobody expects that sort of thing. We just go along thinking the next day will be like the previous. It sounds like he was young. Went to the hospital mid December; passed away 3 weeks later.
I've always been put off by Ubuntu's corporate culture (councils, SOPs, etc.). But, I can see how that level of organization helps ensure that the base (and distros, I assume) are more than one person, would survive a sudden loss of talent.
My impression is that Mark (Peppermint) had a circle of trusted supporters/enthusiasts who were more in the know. But, not involved in what he was doing. (It's possible nobody had time/skill to participate at that level. Not that he wanted it that way.). It's strange to think about how there must have been a lot of effort toward backups, security, etc. (ensuring no interruption; permanency). But, we never think about how we (the individual) could disappear in an instant.
Anyway, I just wanted to raise the topic. I bet most distros are "at risk" that way, an it's just the nature of someone freely providing their creativity. But, we don't think about it much because it's human nature to think everyone's tomorrow will be like the previous day. We never think about how, in many ways, we (humans) are the weak link. We can be extremely OCD about backups, "vulnerabilities," etc. But, glibly imply (in that process) that we'll be here an hour from now.
I've always been put off by Ubuntu's corporate culture (councils, SOPs, etc.). But, I can see how that level of organization helps ensure that the base (and distros, I assume) are more than one person, would survive a sudden loss of talent.
My impression is that Mark (Peppermint) had a circle of trusted supporters/enthusiasts who were more in the know. But, not involved in what he was doing. (It's possible nobody had time/skill to participate at that level. Not that he wanted it that way.). It's strange to think about how there must have been a lot of effort toward backups, security, etc. (ensuring no interruption; permanency). But, we never think about how we (the individual) could disappear in an instant.
Anyway, I just wanted to raise the topic. I bet most distros are "at risk" that way, an it's just the nature of someone freely providing their creativity. But, we don't think about it much because it's human nature to think everyone's tomorrow will be like the previous day. We never think about how, in many ways, we (humans) are the weak link. We can be extremely OCD about backups, "vulnerabilities," etc. But, glibly imply (in that process) that we'll be here an hour from now.