Re: On Bug #49065 and commercial-emacs

[Eli Zaretskii]

> Date: Thu, 03 Oct 2024 02:33:42 +0000
> From: divya@subvertising.org
> 
> I stumbled upon the huge patch in #49065 just after discovering 
> `commercial-emacs`. I have two concerns:
> 
> - There hasn't been any work in reviewing the patch, and I want to give 
> it a shot. Especially the parts concerning Gnus.
> 
> - The writing in README of commercial-emacs repository, sounds weird if 
> not hostile?
> 
> > Ah, but if it could reach those heights. If by some miracle it did, the 
> > choices for the FSF are the same as before: enlist RMS to embark on a 
> > coding frenzy that achieves feature parity, grant myself commit rights, 
> > or continue not noticing me. If my history of user acquisition is any 
> > indication, the last outcome is most likely.
> 
> https://shmelpa.commandlinesystems.com/
> 
> What is the cause for this hostility?

You will have to ask the author.

Alternatively (and only if you have enough free time on your hands),
you can read all of his posts to the Emacs lists, and try to answer
the question yourself judging by what you read.

> Also, are there any license/copyright issues if one could get their 
> patch merged? From what I understand, there shouldn't be, since the 
> patch was made to Emacs and the fork also is GPL.

His copyright assignment for Emacs is still on file, so using his code
in Emacs should be okay, AFAIU.

By contrast, I see no assignment from you, so if you want to work on
this, my recommendation is to start your copyright assignment work
ASAP (if you agree, I can send you the form to fill and the
instructions to go with it).

> I would like to begin work on this patch within a week or so, and would 
> have a lot of questions for the maintainers and, of course, Lars.

Feel free to ask the questions, although sadly our Gnus experts are
somewhat less active lately, so be prepared for long delays in
answering at least some questions.

TIA