[tex-live] packages with characters > 127

[Karl Berry]

    It is done (not the TL09 version, though). The point is, packages using
    non-ascii characters currently don't take that kind of precautions.

The point for me is that it shouldn't be up to each individual package
author.  It should be done at the engine level.

    Anyway, IMHO packages authors should stick to plain ascii except in
    comments (both XeTeX and LuaTeX ignore illegal byte sequences in
    comments).

The point for me is that the reality is that authors don't stick to
plain ASCII and there is no real reason they should.  If a French author
wants to use 8859-15, that should be ok.  We should be liberal in what
we accept.

    I agree with you that there is no urgency in changing all the
    "problematic" sty files but I also think it would be good that
    package authors start caring about cross-engine compatibility in
    general.

The point for me is that, again, with such a basic thing as character
encoding, there should be no issue of "compatibility" at all.  Authors
have preferred character sets.  We (implementors) should deal with that,
not to try ram the One True Way down everyone's throats.

Like line endings ...