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On caring for user data: NeoVim caused Vim undo files to be deleted

384 points · 346 comments · jandeboevrie

  1. recursivedoubts · · focus · HN ↗
    They are open source developers, giving away free software as a gift. There is no duty here.

    We can speak, respectfully, of how important backwards compatibility is to us, and ask nicely for them to give more of their time to support it when their free sodftware isn't backwards compatible. Perhaps we can even offer to help implement it.

    But they have no duty to do so or to "care" for their users. (They have already demonstrated they care for their users, btw, by giving them free software.)

    EDIT: I missed an important part of the story, which is that they mutated existing files in a non-backwards compatible manner. That should have been avoided, I understand where the (secondary) author is coming from now.

    1. zbentley · · focus · HN ↗
      “Here, take this car, it’s free!”

      “Ow, the gas pedal is actually a bear trap.”

      “Why are you complaining? It’s free!”

      1. dima55 · · focus · HN ↗
        Then you don't take the car. Why is this confusing?
        1. [deleted] · · focus · HN ↗

          [deleted]

        2. jstanley · · focus · HN ↗
          Because you didn't find out it was a bear trap until after you stepped on it?
        3. WesolyKubeczek · · focus · HN ↗
          You discover it’s a bear trap not before you try to pull out from the parking lot.
        4. InsideOutSanta · · focus · HN ↗
          Ah, yes. The old story of the one-footed man who didn't take the car.
        5. leoc · · focus · HN ↗
          That's not how liability works, not either morally or (IANAL) legally.
        6. mcphage · · focus · HN ↗
          That’s fine, you can leave the car, but you’ve already lost your foot. Why do you find this confusing?
        7. Espressosaurus · · focus · HN ↗
          Well I would feel slightly irate if I had to find out about the bear trap before I decide I don’t want the car.
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