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Emacs is not just for programming. Given the popularity of other uses (org-mode being the obvious big example) it's likely that text editing is the bigger poten

Emacs is not just for programming. Given the popularity of other uses (org-mode being the obvious big example) it's likely that text editing is the bigger potential market than programming. There's a market for a customizable text editor. Look at what non-programmers are doing with Obsidian. The outdated defaults Emacs uses kills off their chances of getting into that market. Weird default shortcuts for no reason, a block cursor by default, strange terminology in the documentation, excessive keystrokes in the keyboard shortcuts (C-x C-s to save rather than C-s and C-f to search), and the list goes on. When someone gets to the point of customizing, they're happy with Emacs, but Emacs does everything it can to run them off before they get there. Another thing they need to do is make sure they have the best markdown mode in the default install, complete with Pandoc integration. As good as it is, org-mode is not what most people are looking for when they are writing a text document. > Yes, make Emacs appealing and user friendly. But don't forget that a masterful tool in the end requires mastery, which can't come for free. That's true, but why add all the unnecessary baggage for new users? Just make the editor function like any new user expects and let the customization options turn them into passionate users.

MonkeyClub 5y ago
> a block cursor by default Hands off the block cursor, it's very helpful with astigmatism.
- bachmeier 5y ago
  Nothing against the block cursor as long as it's not on by default. I'm having trouble thinking of other text editors that use it as the default.
  - worksonmine 5y ago
    The block cursor serves a very specific purpose. Since you can insert either before or after the cursor a block makes perfect sense. Especially as a beginner being used to normal text editing, but even now after years of using it my reasoning is still "do I need it before or after the cursor" and looking at the block. What's your reason for not wanting it by default?
    - CRConrad 5y ago
      > The block cursor serves a very specific purpose. Since you can insert either before or after the cursor In Emacs, you mean? > a block makes perfect sense. In Emacs. As it is now, i.e for existing Emacs users. Do you think this discussion, "How to make Emacs more popular", is mainly about that tiny minority? > Especially as a beginner being used to normal text editing, "Normal text editing for beginners" has been defined more by Windows Notepad than by Emacs since about five minutes after Windows Notepad was first released, which is over thirty (thirty-five?) years ago now. > but even now after years of using it my reasoning is still "do I need it before or after the cursor" and looking at the block. Your reasoning, and perhaps most other already-existing Emacs users'. Which, in the larger picture, equals practically nobody. What was this discussion about again; something like "How to make Emacs more popular"? > What's your reason for not wanting it by default? The more relevant question is: What's your reason for wanting to confuse everybody else with this weird behaviour?

MonkeyClub 5y ago

> a block cursor by default Hands off the block cursor, it's very helpful with astigmatism.

bachmeier 5y ago
Nothing against the block cursor as long as it's not on by default. I'm having trouble thinking of other text editors that use it as the default.
- worksonmine 5y ago
  The block cursor serves a very specific purpose. Since you can insert either before or after the cursor a block makes perfect sense. Especially as a beginner being used to normal text editing, but even now after years of using it my reasoning is still "do I need it before or after the cursor" and looking at the block. What's your reason for not wanting it by default?
  - CRConrad 5y ago
    > The block cursor serves a very specific purpose. Since you can insert either before or after the cursor In Emacs, you mean? > a block makes perfect sense. In Emacs. As it is now, i.e for existing Emacs users. Do you think this discussion, "How to make Emacs more popular", is mainly about that tiny minority? > Especially as a beginner being used to normal text editing, "Normal text editing for beginners" has been defined more by Windows Notepad than by Emacs since about five minutes after Windows Notepad was first released, which is over thirty (thirty-five?) years ago now. > but even now after years of using it my reasoning is still "do I need it before or after the cursor" and looking at the block. Your reasoning, and perhaps most other already-existing Emacs users'. Which, in the larger picture, equals practically nobody. What was this discussion about again; something like "How to make Emacs more popular"? > What's your reason for not wanting it by default? The more relevant question is: What's your reason for wanting to confuse everybody else with this weird behaviour?