Packages quality (was: [nongnu] main 74116339a8 2/3: * elpa-packages (anzu): New package)

[Stefan Monnier <monnier@iro.umontreal.ca>]

> Do we want to collect as many packages as possible, even if the
> implementations and practices are sub-optimal, are displaced by
> alternative implementations in Emacs or ELPA, etc. or should we try to
> restrict the packages to popular, "good citizens" of the Emacs package
> space, in an effort to raise the standards and clean up "obsolete" and
> "redundant" packages.  It is probably clear that I have an inclination
> towards the latter position: Going forward it seems preferable to have
> as many useful and idiomatic packages available directly via the ELPAs,
> without burdening newcomers with duplicate functionalities.  My
> motivation in contributing to NonGNU ELPA is to further this goal.

Note that (Non)GNU ELPA in the long term will inevitably also contain
old/redundant/outdated packages unless we go and actively remove such
packages (which we haven't done so far).

So, I think if we want to improve the quality, in the long term, the way
to do that is not just by restricting which packages we add, but by
finding ways to regularly re-assess the quality of packages and coming
up with good ways to remove/demote packages based on that (and similarly
promote those packages that are currently particularly good).


        Stefan