[robalni]

> simply paste in “Thank you for your request. Please see [URL]”.

I think this can make people feel like you don't understand them and maybe make them angry. It feels like an automatic response you would post when you haven't even read the request. I think you should at least clearly say that you don't want the requested feature in the response, then you can link to the page.

[nfhshy68]

That sounds like a them problem.

"Pull requests welcome" if you want the feature. "Fork off" if you don't.

[robalni]

> That sounds like a them problem.

Yes and it's not nice to give people problems. It can even come back to you if they don't feel like they got a clear response and continue to bother you.

I like to communicate in ways that are clear, honest and complete because that way people get the information they want and we can understand each other. I think the world would be a better place if everyone did that and therefore it's what I recommend people to do.

[nfhshy68]

I agree and if I thought I got any value out of communicating extra to them I would. Fact is, this is open source, I'm doing this for fun. I'm not here for you and I don't owe you understanding or complete information.

[robalni]

> Fact is, this is open source

The open source part of this doesn't matter. Open source means that the user has the right to use and modify and distribute the program; it has nothing to do with communication.

This is a communication question; it's about how to respond to people that are being annoying. It's always nice to do that in a way so that every one understands each other.

[tomrod]

On the flip side, people need to be okay with "No."

[robalni]

Yes, a "no" is basically what I think was missing from that example response. Something clear that makes the requester feel like they got a response to their request.