I have been a huge advocate of open source projects since the mid 90s with my first use of Knoppix Linux and then Hoary Hedgehog release of Ubuntu. I signed on to the mailing list for the Reef Angel controller because I really believe that with a few key decisions and developments and a large development community, the RA open aquarium controller platform could leapfrog all other current controllers on the market, and make a better, cheaper, and more robust aquarium controller for all. I subbed the Reef Angel mailing list to keep tabs on the project although I fully expected the excitement for the developments of the RA to peak and then wane. The activity on the RA mailing list was slow to start but over the past month or more, the number of posts on this list has only grown, to the point that I am getting way more notifications than I ever expected. Sure I could change settings to receive the RA updates in a daily digest but that’s not the point. The point is that the Reef Angel is moving along, gaining steam and twice a week someone is suggesting something new and cool that they can do with their RA. Although I will be unsubscribing from the list, I will still be keeping an eye on the developments of this rapidly evolving community aquarium project. The Reef Angel still has a ways to go before it will be able to stand toe to toe with the Profilux, Apex and ReefKeepers of the world but at this rate, it could be a matter of time before the Reef Angel is leading the pack. Congrats to Roberto and the RA dev team for the progress they’ve already made and be sure to check out the Reef Angel mailing list if you want to see what they’re up to.
