RE: delete-selection-mode as default

[Drew Adams]

> nobody would use d-s-m without t-m-m unless they wanted to do
> something that doesn't make sense.

Actually, d-s-m requires t-m-m. It turns it on, and each time you try
to use it it checks that t-m-m is on (if not, it does nothing).

> transient-mark-mode says that commands should be limited to the "active"
> region. 

No, it does not. It simply says that, when it is enabled:

   "the region is highlighted when the mark is active.
    ...
    Many commands change their behavior when Transient Mark mode is
    in effect and the mark is active, by acting on the region instead..."

(That's from `C-h f transient-mark-mode'. Similarly for (emacs) `Disabled
Transient Mark' and (elisp)`The Mark'.)