• luciole (he/him)@beehaw.org
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      5 months ago

      Whether it is being offered to the end users as free (as in freedom) software or as paid closed source has the usual implications. Ease of use, accessibility measures and support impacts inclusivity. Supported languages (natural and programming) will influence further who uses them or not. What constitutes the user base will determine what’s it’s used for and in turn will apply pressure to the editor to take a certain direction.

      Political impact is not always obvious and not every single grain of software will be infused with a powerful one. The point is that our choice is either to ignore it or to acknowledge it. We can’t opt out of the world; blind neutrality is as political as any other position.

      • Gobbel2000@programming.dev
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        5 months ago

        A major political agenda of Vim is to support children in Uganda. A message about that is displayed whenever you open Vim’s start page. Bram Moolenaar insisted on users donating to the ICCF charity instead of to him, making Vim a very political editor in my view.

      • 0x0@programming.dev
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        5 months ago

        It’s. A. Text. Editor.

        Are you referring to any political views its author might’ve had? 'Cos all i could find is some charity stuff.