I don't want to keep this conversation going in circles, but to me it seems like you are trying to explain a behavior (some people do not want to release source before conditions X, Y and Z are met) and I am arguing that the behavior itself is antithetical to FOSS.
From the top of the thread: "it is difficult to take it seriously if you refuse to offer source code or a implementable specification.". If OP has reservations about building it the open, I'd rather hear "I am not going to open it because I want to keep full control over it" then some vague "I will open it after I complete some other stuff".
You mention the concern about "getting a reputation for not listening". To me, this has already happened. The moment I saw "when I realize it can be used by someone, it will be of course be open source", I'm already doubting his ability to collaborate, I already put him in the "does not understand how FOSS work" box and I completely lost interest in the project.
From the top of the thread: "it is difficult to take it seriously if you refuse to offer source code or a implementable specification.". If OP has reservations about building it the open, I'd rather hear "I am not going to open it because I want to keep full control over it" then some vague "I will open it after I complete some other stuff".
You mention the concern about "getting a reputation for not listening". To me, this has already happened. The moment I saw "when I realize it can be used by someone, it will be of course be open source", I'm already doubting his ability to collaborate, I already put him in the "does not understand how FOSS work" box and I completely lost interest in the project.