Re: Representation of the Emacs userbase on emacs-devel

[tomas]

On Tue, Sep 07, 2021 at 06:44:07AM +0200, Stefan Kangas wrote:
> Richard Stallman <rms@gnu.org> writes:
> 
> >   > By the way, how much work would it be to switch C-x and M-x prefixes to 
> > C-space and
> >   > M-space respectively.
> >
> > We will not change C-x and M-x in the Emacs defaults,
> > nor C-SPC and M-SPC.  Those are important commands.
> >
> > It is ok for a CUA theme to change them.
> 
> This is completely backwards.  It is precisely because it is important
> that C-x should be changed.

Or forwards.

What would the C committee say if I proposed to exchange ',' and ';' in the
syntax?

After all, my keyboard (a DE layout) needs a shift to access the semicolon,
which I use much more in C code than the comma [1].

I am a bit confused by this default thing, especially by this new incarnation
of a "defaults war". Each time it feels like a turf war.

OTOH, it is clear that defaults aren't carved in stone. On the other, it
should be clear that defaults change slowly wherever there is an established
community of users, and each one takes its process and its timing. It may
take years, and a couple of proofs of concept.

Tab-indent mode looks like low hanging fruit by now (but there have been
voices against changing it which have to be taken seriously). I don't really
see the point for C-x now, but hey, that's me.

A set of defaults is, whenever there is an established community, pretty
much like a language. A language evolves, but it takes its time. And might
not always evolve to your liking.

Cheers

[1] Strictly speaking that's a lie, since the comma separates args and thus
   is probably more frequent than the semicolon, but I hope you get the
   idea.

 - t

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