[Python-Dev] PyPI comments and ratings, *really*?

[Steven D'Aprano]

On Sat, 14 Nov 2009 09:57:18 am Ben Finney wrote:
> "A.M. Kuchling" <amk at amk.ca> writes:
> > If popular vote is ruled out, I don't see who else could possibly
> > make the decision to disable comments and/or ratings.
>
> Reasoned argument with the person who decides. A bad idea with many
> people's support is still a bad idea; a good idea with few people's
> support is still a good idea.


Okay, let's talk reasoned debate.

I understand the reason for making comments compulsory: they're for the 
benefit of the users, not the package owner. It helps prevent 
information about the package from being fragmented: there is One 
Obvious place to find out about a package on PyPI, which is the PyPI 
page, instead of having to search for blogs where people may or may not 
have made comments about the package. If individual package owners 
don't like this, too bad, because PyPI is run for the benefit of the 
community, not individual package owners.

I understand the reason for making comments optional: personal choice of 
the package owner is valuable in and of itself, even if it is against 
the best interests of the community.

But for the life of me, I can't understand the 1/3 of the votes that 
have been cast in favour of prohibiting comments for everybody, even 
those who want comments.


-- 
Steven D'Aprano