Re: Request to reconsider removal of groff from base system

["Julian H. Stacey" <jhs%berklix.com@localhost>]

Ron Swiernik wrote:
> Again this is an enhancement? Can mandoc handle tbl and pic input?
> 
> UNIX has had the *roff tool suite for a long time. A text formatter is how they
> got support from management to continue work on UNIX. I doubt we would be
> talking about UNIX today if it wasn't for the suite.

... etc ...

Agreed.   
I recall a past effort to similarly remove groff from FreeBSD src/ 
 (still in FreeBSD/branches/-current/src/ )

FreeBSD also periodicly suffers vandals removing working code
(demime, majordomo etc) & has also had to fight off proposals to
slash other things (eg procmail etc).

A multi- decades BSD developer friend & I discussed:
It's a liability that there's no managers on *BSD.org projects 
to control the immature & instill perspective, explaining:

  While there are some things each BSD person wouldn't miss we don't
  try to force removal, because we'd disagree which, & many different
  tools could be removed, inc. some we'd miss.
  
  Some new tools may always seem nicer for some new work & new
  people, than older existing tools, but never ignore the legacy
  our BSD systems carry, to support existing users' time investment & data.
  
  Code vandals will make any BSD less attractive to users, who would
  less complain, than silently leave, & not stay to later contribute
  to the BSD community.

Those who would ignore BSDs' Unix legacy:  Better play with free remit Linux.

Julian
--
Julian Stacey, BSD Linux Unix C Sys Eng Consultant Munich http://berklix.com
	Indent previous with "> ".	Reply Below as a play script.
	Send plain text, Not quoted-printable, HTML, or base64.