bug#40813: [PATCH] Convert some files from outline-mode to org-mode

[Alan Mackenzie]

Hello, Stefan.

In article <mailman.1087.1587724805.3066.bug-gnu-emacs@gnu.org> you wrote:
> Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org> writes:

>> > I believe org-mode is vastly more well-known and arguably also more
>> > intuitive to users.

I'm certain that's not right.  Anybody who can use Emacs at all knows
outline-mode well enough to use it effectively.

>> It is also much larger and heavier.

> Is that a problem in practice?

Very much so.  If these files' modes are changed to org-mode, then
sooner or later, org-mode enthusiasts will start filling them up with
obscure org-mode features, such that only an "org-mode elite" will be
able to edit these files.  Or it will cost an inordinate amount of time
to learn org-mode each time a non-org contributor needs to amend such a
file.

Org-mode is difficult to learn and opaque (see discussions of its
documentation in other threads).  It is thus unsuitable for basic text
files.

[ .... ]

> The main argument is that org-mode will be more familiar to users and
> prospective Emacs hackers.

I'm certain that's not right.  See above.

I'm strongly against this change happening.  But if it is to happen, it
should be drawn to people's attention by having a discussion in
emacs-devel.

> Best regards,
> Stefan Kangas

-- 
Alan Mackenzie (Nuremberg, Germany).