Re: [bug-gettext] Why not have po-mode.el on GNU ELPA?

[Daiki Ueno]

Jordon Biondo <address@hidden> writes:

> Is there a reason po-mode is distributed solely with gettext and not
> as a standalone emacs package on GNU ELPA or MELPA? Having po-mode
> available for a M-x install-package would make getting and using the
> package much easier.

Good idea.

However, I have a couple of minor concerns.  Firstly, po-mode.el has a
bunch of portability hacks, which cause several warnings when compiled
with the latest Emacs.  If we put it on GNU ELPA, we might need to
adjust them, perhaps breaking compatibility with older Emacs (though
personally I tend to agree with that).

Secondly, if I understand correctly, the packages on GNU ELPA are
covered by the same FSF copyright condition as Emacs itself.  If
po-mode.el were a part of GNU ELPA, the authors would need to assign
copyright for Emacs, as well as for gettext.

> Maybe this is something I should bring up with emacs-devel and not
> bug-gettext, but it would probably involve work between the two groups
> regardless.

Yes.  There are also several packages in a similar condition, e.g.,
idna.el in GNU libidn, rec-mode.el in GNU recutils.  It would be good to
confirm with emacs-devel if there is any consensus on having such
packages on GNU ELPA.

Regards,
-- 
Daiki Ueno