Re: My resignation from Emacs development

[Christopher Dimech <dimech@gmx.com>]

> Sent: Saturday, November 23, 2024 at 11:54 PM
> From: "Eli Zaretskii" <eliz@gnu.org>
> To: "Christopher Dimech" <dimech@gmx.com>
> Cc: rms@gnu.org, stefankangas@gmail.com, emacs-devel@gnu.org
> Subject: Re: My resignation from Emacs development
>
> > From: Christopher Dimech <dimech@gmx.com>
> > Cc: rms@gnu.org, stefankangas@gmail.com, acm@muc.de, emacs-devel@gnu.org
> > Date: Sat, 23 Nov 2024 12:06:10 +0100
> >
> > > However, as I've written elsewhere in this thread, Emacs maintainers
> > > are just stewards.  They don't "own" the project, and cannot dictate
> > > their preferences when some change is widely favored by the community,
> > > not without good reasons, which are considered "good enough" by the
> > > community.  So when we feel that a change will be widely supported,
> > > regardless of discussions, we see no reason to delay its installation.
> > > (Of course, code review and various minor issues like proper
> > > documentation etc. are still in effect, and many times require
> > > re-submission of patches before they are installed.)
> >
> > I challenge the notion that Emacs maintainers act solely as stewards.
> > The term implies neutrality, but maintainers inherently influence the
> > project's trajectory.
>
> The term does not imply neutrality, it implies taking care of the
> project and keeping it in good shape, and that by its very definition
> does influence the development.
>
> Anyway, focusing on this aspect is taking out the main part of what I
> wrote above.
>
> > Maintainers have a fiduciary duty to both the project's longevity and
> > its contributors' collective vision.  Thus the robustness of the project
> > and the ease of improvements are important.
>
> And you are saying that this doesn't happen here?

I strongly support the need to avoid implementing rules that impose
excessive burdens on maintainers --- especially those that elevate
contributors' collective vision above the practical demands of
maintaining and improving the code. Ensuring the functionality and
integrity of the code, while keeping it amenable to enhancements, must
remain the top priority, as these are the cornerstones of the project's
long-term success. Your dedication upon those priorities is invaluable.