I really like software that is built from plugins, but it needs to have some stable 'core' plugins shipped by default, like emacs for example. Nothing by default is pretty useless but it all depends on constraints and requirements.

Used to love plug-in-heavy, customizable tools. Then I realized I loved spending time customizing and installing all those plugins, and not a lot of time getting work done.

Now I just prefer good tools that can do everything I need but not necessarily optimally. As long as they feel really efficient for 95% of use cases and the other 5% are possible (but not optimal) I am good with that. I don’t need to reach for “the perfect tool” anymore.

I think I like plug-ins so long as there's a good set that's easy to get. Nicely bundled defaults, ya know?

Since I am a fan of blender I most likely have to vote for the first one. However it was kind of a blessing when many of the features that had to be installed as add-ons before now is a part of the plain software. They tend to implement all of the very popular ones, as a part of the standard program. I think people would lie if they didn't love everything working right out of the box, so we don't have to spend time on configuration and more time on actually creating.

I do most my work on the terminal so I prefer something in the middle: convention over configuration, most functionality included but rather small by default. More complex needs can be compiled in.

Related: I wish more Linux distributions’ package managers would allow for binary installation alongside source compiled packages. In FreeBSD I’m amazed at how well pkg’ binary packages play with ports-compiled ones.

What about a nice middle ground option? It has all the features that most sane people would want, but not the kitchen sink.

I hate diagnosing 3rd party jank so if I had to pick one or the other then I’d pick all in one. Oh you updated and now your whole ui is broken? Good fucking luck guessing what adon wasn’t updated for this change.