[Python-Dev] Distutils ML wrap-up: setup.cfg new format

[Stephen J. Turnbull]

Brett Cannon writes:

 > OK, stop before it gets any nastier as your email already sounds
 > rude

Rude, yes, but not entirely lacking in truth.  Tarek's post to Python-
Dev *is* a mess from the point of view of English and organization --
it's *way* below Tarek's normal command of the language.  Granted,
something that complex is much harder to polish than a 3-sentence
post, but it could have been run by a native speaker before posting.
Better yet, it could have been run by Distutils-SIG first.

At the very least, that would have kept this discussion on Distutils-
SIG, and Chris couldn't be accused of trying to make an end run around
that process.  I suggest that posting progress reports to Python-Dev
is a good idea (attracting attention and maybe participation to the
process), but making one an opportunity to test the degree of internal
consensus (or lack of it) on Distutils-SIG by posting there first is
an even better one.

 > I see no reason why [Tarek] should not be able to short-circuit
 > discussions when he sees them as having gone on long enough when he
 > is the one that is going to ultimately end up doing all the coding.

Of course there are benefits to having a strong impartial chairman,
and installing a benevolent dictator is often a second-best strategy
for project management.  However, in this case, the question of what
is being short-circuited is important.  If it's bikeshedding, that's
good.  If it's a substantial difference, it's not.  And it matters,
because the benefits of a New! Improved! distutils! really start
piling up when adoption becomes nearly universal.

How do you tell the difference?  Simple.  If Philip wants the bikeshed
painted pink, but he'll still move his bike to Tarek's blue bikeshed
from the existing pink one, further discussion at this point is
bikeshedding.  If Chris wants the new bikeshed painted chartreuse, and
he'll keep parking in the existing green one if Tarek paints the new
one blue, that's a real difference.  (This assumes Chris represents a
sizable group of users/projects, of course.)