Re: default.el and site-start.el

[kai.grossjohann@gmx.net (Kai Großjohann)]

Michael M Mason <admin@cambridge-optical.com> writes:

> Yes: it doesn't explain why there are two site-wide init
> files, hence the question.

site-start.el is loaded before .emacs, whereas default.el is loaded
after .emacs.  People can set inhibit-default-init in their .emacs
to, well, inhibit loading of default.el.  Obviously a variable
inhibit-site-start is not possible.

It's a matter of taste.  If you think that the sysadmin should set up
some defaults that users can turn off easily, then default.el is for
you.  If you think that the sysadmin should set up some defaults that
the users can then later each overwrite with their personal settings,
then site-start.el is for you.

Personally, I define lots of functions in site-start.el and tell
users to invoke them in their .emacs file.  This way, they can choose
to use or not use certain "packages".
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