SWI-Prolog 7

Dear SWI-Prolog user,

The response to the recent changes was so overwhelming that I was glad
to hear simple and positive responses not through the mailinglist. The
discussions have improved the proposal as you can see in the 7.1.1
release. This process is probably not yet finished.

I have seen enough support for these changes to pursue them. Due to the
rather strong opinions on this list, quite a few people do not wish to
get involved in the public debate.

I will no longer answer to posts that want to erase the changes.  I
will answer to practical problems arising, as well as to requests to
change details that will improve consistency, compatibility, usability,
avoid blocking promising roads to further extensions, etc.

The changes also caused several people to express their concern about
where the project is heading. I think I've managed to convince some of
you that this will make SWI-Prolog a more useful tool and that there is
no risk that the system will become a new and incompatible language.

Especially for those concerned about the future directions of the 
project, I compiled a document on this at

	http://www.swi-prolog.org/Directions.txt

I am fully aware that the recent changes and now explicitly stated
future directions may cause some people to turn their back on the
project.  I would like to thank them for the energy they've put in
the project in the past.

	Regards --- Jan