McStas is an extremely important contribution in Monte-Carlo instrument
simulation. But it is not a football to be kicked around in some
kind of bizarre Franco-Danish soccer match.
Unlike ALL other available packages (mclib, vitess etc.) McStas offers
the ability to write instrumental components quickly and easily. It
is thus indispensable for "non-standard" neutron instruments
(such as my instrument, D7 at the ILL). Furthermore there is
considerable effort and money being spent on instrument upgrades
here at the ILL, and elsewhere, which depend on McStas giving reliable
results (as it has - up till now - seemed to do). It is
therefore extremely important that McStas users can depend on their
simulations.
We have been using McStas for the last year or so to model the design of
our new supermirror polarisers and analysers on D7, and we are getting
very near the stage where final design decisions will have to be
taken. I have to say that in the current climate - and following
the unfortunate bouncing emails - I am very unwilling to base the final
design on our McStas simulations. This is a great shame - as we
have worked quite hard on these simulations.
In conclusion: please try and sort these problems out. And
bear in mind that more is riding on your efforts than just personal
pride.