I've just invented a new software development paradigm. I'll name it PSD - Passive Software Development. It works just like this: I sit down and think about a new feature I could add to my software. (In this case the software is of course
Irrlicht.) Then I start up Visual Studio to start implemening that feature. Then, after about 2 minutes, I get a mail from an Irrlicht user, and the mail contains source code or a .diff file which implements exactly that feature, asking me to add this to the next version of Irrlicht. So I just read through his code, modify it a bit where I think it is necessary and merge it with my development version.
And this works. It worked several times now. Don't know how. But it shortens development time effectively, is simple as possible, reduces costs and gives you much more free time. And - of course - don't underestimate the surprise factor, it's fun! Everybody should use PSD. :)
To summarize: Open Source really IS cool. Here's an example what I implemented recently, using PSD: ;-)

I think it has been discussed several times that you demand to develop irrlicht on your own til version 1.0.