Re: Proposal for an Emacs User Survey

[Alfred M. Szmidt]

   >    So the difference is to say "please" and be polite when we ask them to
   >    remove some packages?
   >
   > That is the differences between asking someone if they can do
   > something for you, and giving them an order ... so yes?

   Okay, with the slight difference that clearly they *can* do it:
   removing a package is a trivial action. The question is really whether
   they *want* to do it.

Indeed.

   > If they say no, then they said no.  Maybe one can convince them of
   > otherwise, but trying to force their hand would be unkind and unfair.

   Okay, as long as their saying no would not immediately make them as
   "bad" as the few packages they refuse to remove.

There is are large difference between calling them, which I am
guessing you mean those who maintain a project, and the actions, or
the situation bad.

   > Just like it is unkind to try and force the GNU project to for example
   > recommend Melpa in Emacs since it would go against our principles.

   As far as I can tell, nobody in this conversation is asking for that.

When the discussion was raised before about a non-GNU ELPA, that was
exactly what being demanded.  And it is what is being demanded by
having an Emacs survey that mentions MELPA for example.  Maybe demand
is slightly strong, but several harsh words have been used in
describing why the GNU project does not wish to do that.