> I don't use my computer exclusively for editing text, and therefore my text editor is not open all the time.
Ok, well if I was developing a programmer's text editor I'd consider you a marginal user and design for the use case of the editor staying open 24/7. Startup time seems pretty low on the priority list.
Design for whatever you want to design for. Plenty of us are programmers who program all day every day and still don't agree with you. What you choose to prioritize is different from what you understand, though. So at least now you should "get" the gripes.
Well if the Atom developers are reading this I want to encourage them not to waste energy optimizing startup time due to Hacker News complainers who are using the product for a use case better suited to Notepad.
