I don't know if you did, but whenever this is the case (module needs maintenance but author is unreachable), you should CC any attempts to contact the author to modules@perl.org.

I'm about to take over XML::TokeParser. My first attempts went un-cc-ed to modules@perl.org and ultimately didn't reach the author. After my final contact attempt ( I'm taking over XML::TokeParser, mmkay ;) ), I was contacted by Aujitrus Tang and he inquired
"Can you give an account of how many times you tried reaching its author about this matter, and the date of those attempts?".

Sadly I couldn't cite those date attempts. So, to be on the safe side, whenever you're planning a hostile takeover, be sure to attempt contact and CC modules@perl.org a few times before actually doing it (give it a month or two, better yet, three, in case the guy is moving cross country or something).

On a sidenode, the author of XML::TokeParser has given me his blessing.

MJD says you can't just make shit up and expect the computer to know what you mean, retardo! I run a Win32 PPM repository for perl 5.6x+5.8x. I take requests. ** The Third rule of perl club is a statement of fact: pod is sexy.