=- Derek Martin wrote on Fri 5.Feb'10 at 14:39:24 -0600 -=
> The Unix Philosophy doesn't preclude maintainers from using their
> brains to decide what features do or don't make sense. Dogma does.
Can't you imagine that there is actually some "brains" behind that
dogma?
I'm all against mindless dogmas, but if the decision is justified,
is it a dogma then? Only to those who don't recognize the
justification for whatever reason. Often it's just a matter of taste
or preference.
> Plugins are fine, but there's been resistance to even adding that.
Yes, missing volunteers/ manpower to implement it.
> The fact is, main-line code is much better maintained than code
> that's outside the core. Yet another reason in support of
> monolithy.
Rather than putting all the responsibility on a few better
distribute it more evenly, i.e. grow more volunteers to contribute
in those areas, too.
> If a feature clearly does negatively impact performance or
> stability, or clutters up the interface, or whatever, then you use
> your brain to decide not to include it.
> {...}
> Obviously this is a judgement call, and the maintainers should
> decide what is useful or not useful, what is damaging or not
> damaging. But the mindset should be to include features unless
> there's a legitimate, quantifiable reason not to.
That's what happens/ed.
Once you let loose and open up the can of worms, then you never can
get them back in; where is the limit, where to draw the line?
> This mindset is what led Rocco and others to attempt a fork of
> Mutt a few years ago, which in turn prompted a flurry of
> development activity from Brendan and others. Progress is good.
Not to forget that fork dried out and Rocco came back to the
original.
Yes, progress is good, when you keep it where it belongs.
Everyone decides for herself where that is.
--
© Rado S. -- You must provide YOUR effort for your goal!
EVERY effort counts: at least to show your attitude.
You're responsible for ALL you do: you get what you give.
